Articles tagged with Hepatitis C
Gaps in hepatitis prevention measures across Europe hinder efforts to eliminate the disease by 2030. Despite progress in vaccination and harm reduction, some countries struggle with low vaccine coverage and inadequate access to sterile needles for injecting drug users.
Researchers at Kyoto University successfully eliminated hepatitis C virus in six chimpanzees using direct-acting antiviral therapy, improving their liver function and health. However, two chimpanzees died of liver cancer, highlighting the need for further study and potential drug resistance.
A new project aims to create realistic AI-powered digital twins of people who use drugs to improve public health responses to HIV, hepatitis C and overdose. The 'AMPLIFY' project will combine community perspectives with cutting-edge AI tools to help health departments allocate resources more effectively and save lives.
The study found that colbopasvir plus sofosbuvir achieved a 99.1% SVR12 rate, with high success rates for genotypes 3a, 3b, 6a, and compensated cirrhosis. The regimen also improved liver function and fibrosis markers.
Research reveals reduced portal insulin in HCV patients, correlating with proinflammatory cytokines and altered immune responses. This finding indicates a potential link between the immune system and insulin dynamics in HCV infection, with implications for managing dysglycemia.
A new study found that Washington's hepatitis C elimination initiative increased testing and treatment access, leading to reduced total care costs. Per-patient costs declined by over 45% as more people received treatment, suggesting a cost-effective approach to screening and treatment of healthy individuals.
A new analysis found that prescriptions for curable hepatitis C drugs have declined sharply in recent years, leaving millions without treatment. The researchers urge swift actions to deliver the drugs to those who need them, including increased screening and system-level changes.
A community-based point-of-care HCV RNA testing program was feasible and led to a high percentage of same-day treatment for American Indian and Alaska Native participants. The study supports expanding point-of-care HCV RNA testing and integrated treatment to advance HCV elimination.
Researchers created a mouse model of virus-driven liver cancer that closely mirrors human disease, allowing for the study of how viruses and immune systems work together to trigger cancer. The model has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment options for liver cancer patients.
A study found significant CD39 expression on CD4+ T-cells in HIV/HCV coinfected patients, with a negative correlation between CD39 positivity and pro-inflammatory chemokines. This suggests that CD39-positive T-cells play a role in controlling purinergic signaling in these patients.
A drug already in clinical trials for hepatitis C has been found to also prevent hepatitis E virus replication, offering new hope for a treatment option. The discovery was made using a library of nucleotide/nucleoside analogues and preclinical models.
Scientists at Northwestern University have developed the fastest test yet for diagnosing hepatitis C virus, delivering results in just 15 minutes – up to 75% faster than current rapid tests. The highly accurate diagnostic could revolutionize HCV care by improving diagnosis and accelerating treatment uptake.
A recent study by UCLA Health investigators found that mental health conditions significantly raise the likelihood of developing liver cancer among US veterans living with cirrhosis and hepatitis C. The study suggests that these disorders limit access to hepatitis C care, reducing the chance of a cure.
A study found that hepatitis C treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) improves immune function in individuals co-infected with HIV and HCV, even in those with advanced liver disease. The treatment resulted in significant declines in inflammation and liver damage markers.
A new study finds that postpartum mothers with hepatitis C who received treatment while still in the hospital were twice as likely to be cured compared to those referred for outpatient follow-up appointments. The 'Meds to Beds' model dramatically improves cure rates by bringing treatment to bedside before discharge.
The Lancet commission emphasizes the need for concrete goals to reduce hepatocellular carcinoma's growing disease burden. The authors propose a 2% annual reduction in age-standardized incidence rates and recommend evidence-based strategies to tackle viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, environmental risk factors, and disparities in he...
The European Union has launched a new toolkit to help eliminate viral hepatitis B and C in prisons across Europe. The toolkit provides practical tools and guidance for implementing interventions in prisons, with the goal of reducing transmission rates and promoting public health.
A nationwide study in Ukraine found substantial lifetime exposure to hepatitis B and C viruses, with significant ongoing circulation among the population. The study emphasizes the need for hepatitis B vaccination among infants and risk groups, as well as regular screening, treatment, and awareness-raising efforts.
Recent studies reveal disparities in access to hepatitis C treatment for children and recently pregnant women, with significant racial and geographic disparities. The studies highlight the need for targeted resources to reach these vulnerable populations.
A new study found that a nontargeted screening approach can identify more patients with hepatitis C virus infections than traditional targeted screening methods. The results highlight the need for improved treatment models, as patients who went from diagnosis to sustained virologic response increased significantly.
A new study found that routine testing for multiple infectious diseases among migrants can identify key infections earlier, improving health outcomes and reducing onward transmission. The Leicester screening programme, which tested 4004 migrant patients, revealed new diagnoses of TB, Hepatitis B and C, and HIV.
Direct-acting antivirals have reduced HCV-related morbidity and mortality, but hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk persists in certain populations. Risk factors include pre-treatment cirrhosis, metabolic disorders, and advanced fibrosis, highlighting the need for tailored surveillance strategies.
A synthetic retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) agonist RNA has been shown to induce innate immune signaling and death of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro. The addition of recombinant interferon-b potentiated this cell death, suggesting a potential new mechanism for treating patients with liver cancer.
Researchers at Garvan Institute of Medical Research discovered how chronic hepatitis C infection leads to autoimmune disease by identifying 'rogue clone' B cells with harmful autoantibodies. The study found that a triad of genetic mutations is required for the autoimmune disease to develop, opening new paths for treatments.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found CAD is common in cirrhotic patients, but cirrhosis itself may not be associated with increased CAD risk. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatitis C virus infection are also linked to CAD presence.
A novel vaccine design has demonstrated robust immune response and broad neutralization of HCV strains in mouse models. The innovative approach employs epitope-focused immunogens, which could pave the way for an effective HCV vaccine, potentially limiting its global spread.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that telehealth and peer-assisted care can significantly improve diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C in rural communities. The study, led by Oregon Health & Science University, showed that 66% of hard-to-reach patients were cleared of the virus within six months.
A study by the University of Missouri School of Medicine found nearly half of opioid overdose patients tested positive for hepatitis C. The infection can cause chronic liver disease and even liver failure or cancer if left undiagnosed.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases reveals that Asian and Black individuals are less likely to be tested for hepatitis C, while American Indian/Alaska Native women are more likely to receive treatment. The findings highlight the need to prioritize equity in healthcare approaches to ensure timely diagnosis and effective t...
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have identified the protein complex that enables the hepatitis C virus to infect cells. This discovery is a significant step towards developing a vaccine against the disease, which causes chronic inflammation and 300,000 deaths annually worldwide. The study's results, published in Nature maga...
A new study by Korea University College of Medicine shows that direct-acting antivirals significantly reduce liver-related clinical outcomes and lower the risk of disease progression to cancer or cirrhosis, increasing life expectancy for patients with Hepatitis C. The treatment approach has a high effectiveness rate of 90%.
Researchers find significant association between illicit fentanyl use and HCV transmission, highlighting need for point-of-care testing and treatment access. The study suggests that fentanyl's short half-life may lead to increased risk of HCV transmission through frequent dosing and sharing.
A Madrid study found a significant decrease in active hepatitis C infection among people who use drugs (PWUD) from 23% to 6% between 2017 and 2023. The study attributed this decline to improved access to testing and treatment, as well as public health campaigns.
A new study found that the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection among men with HIV is 10-fold higher than primary infection rates in New York City. The researchers identified receiving semen in the rectum as the only risk factor for reinfection, contradicting previous assumptions about transmission routes.
Researchers found that the frequency of activated TREG cells remained elevated during treatment and continued to be high even after the virus was eliminated. Inflammatory features, such as increased TNF signaling, were sustained in TREG cells, indicating long-term immune system changes induced by the chronic infection.
A large international multicenter observational study showed an overall sustained virological response (SVR12) rate of 96.9% for 15,849 patients with chronic hepatitis C, despite including many patients with cirrhosis, HCC, prior treatment failure, and the use of older DAAs.
A new study by University of Waterloo researchers suggests that Canada will not reach the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating Hepatitis C by 2030. The main reason is the lack of harm-reduction strategies, which are crucial for reducing the transmission of the virus.
A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that 90.3% of participants receiving telemedicine treatment were cured of HCV, compared to 39.4% in the control group. The researchers also found significant improvements in health and well-being after HCV treatment.
A study published in Immunity identified key findings from a patient who cleared hepatitis C, revealing new insights into the development of a vaccine. The researchers found that this individual's antibodies targeted multiple regions of the virus, suggesting a potential approach to elicit a stronger immune response.
Researchers discovered a connection between hepatitis B and C viruses and multiple myeloma, finding that antiviral treatment can improve outcomes. The study suggests that early detection of these infections may lead to better treatment and survival rates for patients with this cancer.
The American College of Physicians has published a new clinical practice guideline for the prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hepatitis C virus in chronic kidney disease. The guideline includes recommendations for expanding treatment with sofosbuvir-based regimens to patients with CKD glomerular filtration rate categor...
A new neighborhood-based care model has been shown to be effective in treating hepatitis C among injection drug users and those experiencing homelessness. The study found that 92% of participants had undetectable levels of the virus after treatment, with 84% achieving sustained virologic response.
A study of 69,000 adults with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection found no difference in sustained virologic response across alcohol use categories. This suggests that restricting access to direct-acting antiviral therapy based on alcohol use may create unnecessary barriers for patients. The findings challenge HCV elimination goals.
Researchers found that hepatitis C treatment improved response to hepatitis B vaccine in individuals who previously didn't respond. The study recommends checking for hepatitis B immune protection and offering vaccination after treatment.
A study of over 20,000 patients with a hepatitis C cure found that they have a substantially greater risk of death compared to the general population. Drug and liver-related causes were the main drivers of excess deaths, highlighting the importance of continued support to fully realise the benefits of a hepatitis C cure.
The study found a significant increase in maternal HCV infection rates during pregnancy from 16-fold higher in 1998 compared to 2018. This is associated with adverse maternal-infant outcomes such as preterm labor, poor fetal growth, or fetal distress.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have solved the mystery of how the Hepatitis C virus evades the human immune system. The virus uses a molecule called FAD as a 'mask', cloaking itself in a form that is already present in cells, making it invisible to the immune system.
Researchers have isolated and analyzed individual immune cells targeting the hepatitis C virus, providing valuable data for vaccine development. The study found that antiviral treatment reduces cytotoxicity in HCV-specific immune cells, offering a potential pathway to an effective vaccine.
Researchers used AI tools to simplify a test for hepatitis C and SARS-CoV-2, achieving 97% accuracy for SARS-CoV-2 and 95% accuracy for the most prevalent version of hepatitis C. The team plans to refine the test, improve its ability to distinguish between strains, and potentially develop at-home tests in the future.
A Danish study has validated a dried blood spot test that can detect HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C from a single drop of blood. The test uses existing hospital equipment and is suitable for places where needle-based testing is not practical or feasible.
Global efforts to track HIV and HCV incidence among people who inject drugs are necessary to validate targets for ending the epidemics by 2030. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing this population in prevention and elimination work, particularly for vulnerable subgroups like young people and women.
A new NIH-funded study found a significant treatment gap for individuals with both hepatitis C and alcohol use disorder, highlighting the need for better care coordination. Researchers analyzed data from over 133,000 veterans and found that those with AUD were less likely to receive direct-acting antiviral treatment for HCV.
A systematic review of national clinical practice guidelines in Europe found that fewer than half include HIV testing recommendations for patients with medical conditions indicating HIV infection. This omission hinders efforts to stop the spread of HIV through timely diagnosis, affecting the lives of people living with HIV.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have identified an enhanced type I interferon response in women who resisted infection after exposure to hepatitis C. This finding has significant implications for understanding viral resistance and designing therapies to treat infected individuals.
A recent study has found that simple tests can accurately predict the risk of secondary disease in hepatitis C patients after treatment. Non-invasive tests such as liver stiffness measurement and platelet count have been shown to be effective in identifying patients at high risk of developing portal hypertension.
Researchers have mapped the critical protein structure of the Hepatitis C virus, revealing key sites of vulnerability that can be targeted with vaccines. The discovery could lead to an effective HCV vaccine, which would eliminate the virus as a public health burden.
Research found that people with HIV who also have untreated hepatitis C virus have a higher risk of heart attack as they age. The study analyzed health data from 23,361 people with HIV and found that those co-infected with hepatitis C had a significantly increased risk of heart attack compared to those with HIV alone.
Researchers found that certain hepatitis C medications, such as glecaprevir and pibrentasvir, improved PTSD symptoms in a national cohort of VA patients. The study suggests these medications could fill the gap in FDA-approved treatments for PTSD, offering new hope for US adults affected by this condition.
A cohort study found that reinfection rates are low after successful hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in people who inject drugs, suggesting a benefit of treatment in this population. The risk for reinfection was highest among those with ongoing injecting drug use and needle sharing.
A longitudinal cohort study found significant reductions in liver disease and mortality among people with HCV infection who received treatment. The study's findings suggest that continued testing, treatment, and community-based interventions could lead to the elimination of HCV infection within the next decade.