Articles tagged with Hepatitis C
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports a 10% decrease in newly diagnosed hepatitis C cases between 2016 and 2017, with over 31,000 cases reported in 2017. However, diagnoses remain high due to under-reporting and variation in national testing practices.
A new study from The Westmead Institute for Medical Research identified a genetic variant associated with liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. This finding is crucial for preventing health complications and reducing the number of patients requiring liver transplants.
Researchers identified a new protocol to prioritize HCV treatment in US prisons, considering factors like liver health state, sentence length, and injection drug use. The approach aims to reduce hepatitis C-caused mortality and infections, both in prisons and the community.
Regular screening and access to new treatments have significantly reduced the transmission of hepatitis C among HIV-positive men in London. The study, which analyzed data from over 6,000 patients, found that cases of newly acquired acute hepatitis C fell sharply between 2013 and 2018.
A large study found that direct-acting antiviral treatment is associated with reduced risk of mortality and hepatocellular cancer, but not decompensation of cirrhosis. Patients treated with direct-acting antivirals were 52% less likely to die prematurely than those who were untreated.
A study by RAND Corporation finds that OxyContin reformulation in 2010 led to a large rise in hepatitis C infections as drug abusers switched to injectable heroin. States with higher rates of OxyContin misuse prior to the reformulation saw a three-fold increase in hepatitis C infections.
A comprehensive package of interventions could avert 15.1 million new hepatitis C infections and 1.5 million cirrhosis and liver cancer deaths globally by 2030. Implementing comprehensive blood safety and infection control measures was estimated to reduce the number of new infections in 2030 by 58%.
A recent study found that needle and syringe programs are a cost-effective way to prevent hepatitis C (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs. The research, funded by the National Institute for Health Research, estimated that these programs would save millions of pounds in infection treatment costs in the UK. In addition to re...
The proportion of U.S. liver transplants for alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) has doubled in the last 15 years, with a shift away from the six-month abstinence rule contributing to the increase. Despite this, ALD patients still appear to be disadvantaged in transplant access.
A large study found no significant difference in liver cancer recurrence between patients treated with direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C. The treatment was also shown to reduce the aggressiveness of cancer when it did recur. This new data reassures providers that treating Hep C is safe and beneficial for these patients.
The new data reveal an estimated 2.3 million people living with Hepatitis C infection in the U.S. between 2013 and 2016, with a high burden in the West and Appalachian states. HepVu's interactive maps provide a comprehensive picture of the disease's impact on states to inform researchers and public health decision-makers.
High research intensity relative to published global disease burden was found for influenza, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis, while paratyphoid fever had low research intensity. Certain neglected tropical diseases such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and leprosy also showed high research intensity.
Hepatitis C infection affects 0.93% of US adults, with highest rates in opioid crisis-affected states, and varies by state and region
A large population study in sub-Saharan Africa discovered three new strains of hepatitis C, which may not be effective against current antiviral drugs. The findings highlight the need for further research and clinical trials to inform optimal treatment strategies and vaccine development.
A new study found that personalized medicine technique reduced treatment times by up to 6 weeks, with 21 patients remaining virus-free and no significant loss of efficacy. The results have the potential to save $10 billion annually in healthcare costs.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati recommend universal screening for all adults due to the rise in hepatitis C cases among younger patients. The new strategy is cost-effective and aims to prevent long-term health problems such as liver cancer and cirrhosis.
A genetic mutation in IFNλ4 reduces its effectiveness against the hepatitis C virus in humans compared to chimpanzees and African Pygmies. This discovery highlights a potential weakness in human immunity to certain viral infections.
A recent study found that at-risk teens and young adults are not being tested for hepatitis C, a serious liver infection, despite their risk of contracting it. The study, which analyzed data from over 250,000 youth, suggests that current guidelines underestimate who is at risk for the infection.
A new study provides overwhelming evidence that direct-acting antiviral therapy is effective in curing hepatitis C in people who inject drugs. The research supports the removal of restrictions on accessing hepatitis C therapy based on recent drug use, aiming to improve public health policy globally.
A study published in Royal Society Open Science found that Mongrel Mob members had low knowledge of viral hepatitis, leading to risky infection behaviors. The research also identified concerning liver health issues, including high rates of inflammation and damage.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study identified CMPK2 and BCLG as potential new drug targets for the treatment of HIV. The researchers found that these genes are selectively activated in response to type 1 interferon, a drug once used to treat hepatitis C.
FIND and DNDi partner to generate evidence for policy change and scale-up of HCV diagnosis and treatment in Malaysia. Decentralized screening using pre-qualified rapid diagnostic tests will be initiated, linking positive cases to direct-acting antiviral treatment.
A new study reveals that over 39% of people who have injected drugs in the last year are living with hepatitis C infection. The research emphasizes the need to expand hepatitis C prevention, testing, and treatment strategies among people who inject drugs to achieve global elimination.
A retrospective study of 179 patients with chronic hepatitis C found that original and generic direct acting antivirals achieved sustained virologic response in over 90% of patients. The original medicines group showed slight superiority, but the generic medicines group still demonstrated high efficacy.
A major new study published in Science Translational Medicine found that a hepatitis C vaccine would significantly reduce transmission among injecting drug users, even if it doesn't provide complete sterilizing immunity. The study estimated that the risk of transmission could decrease to between 1 and 25 percent with vaccination.
A mathematical model developed by Sylvie Deuffic-Burban assesses the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of different screening strategies, including universal screening. The results show that universal screening is associated with better life expectancy adjusted for quality of life than other strategies.
A new study suggests that all chronic hepatitis C-infected patients' access to direct-acting antiviral medications must be improved to achieve the public health goal of eliminating hepatitis C infection. Denials were more common among patients with commercial insurance, with 52.4% of prescriptions denied.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that private insurers deny coverage for life-saving hepatitis C drugs at a rate of 52.4%, while Medicaid and Medicare deny treatment at 34.5% and 14.7% respectively. The high denial rates may be due to varying restrictions on reimbursements among states.
A new Canadian guideline recommends screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people born between 1945 and 1975 due to high rates of infection. The guideline also advocates for curative therapy for all individuals affected by HCV, aiming to prevent premature death.
A study by The Dartmouth Institute found that a federal regulation change from 2013-2017 led to gaps in substance abuse data, affecting prevalence estimates of chronic conditions like hepatitis C and depression. This can result in underestimated rates of co-morbidity, particularly among younger populations.
A study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that 63% of Hepatitis C infections resulting from medical treatment were discovered after patients became acutely ill. Researchers highlight the importance of proactive reporting and proper infection control practices to prevent such incidents.
Leading experts recommend a novel pricing strategy to increase access to hepatitis C treatment, particularly for vulnerable populations. States can leverage competition among drug manufacturers to save money while ensuring treatment for a larger share of the population.
The number of people receiving HCV cure is increasing with new, highly effective treatments available; simplification of treatment delivery can accelerate global scale-up. Cure leads to reductions in liver-related deaths and cancer risk, as well as improvements in comorbidities.
Two nationwide hepatitis C elimination programs in Georgia and Iceland have reported high levels of engagement, initiation of direct-acting antiviral agents, and cure among patients chronically infected with HCV. In Georgia, over 90% of diagnosed individuals were cured, while in Iceland, the prevalence of active HCV infection among peo...
The new treatment combination including ravidasvir and sofosbuvir has shown extremely high cure rates, even among hard-to-treat patients, with a 97% success rate reported in the Phase II/III trial. The treatment is priced affordably at $300 for a 12-week course, offering an alternative to existing treatments.
A large-scale study in Punjab, India found that mass treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection using decentralized care and generic DAAs resulted in high cure rates among almost 20,000 individuals. The study validated the efficacy and safety of this approach, with over 90% of patients achieving sustained virological response.
A prospective study found that linkage to care specialists can facilitate rapid access to hepatitis C treatment, with 60% of patients initiated on treatment. The study highlights the importance of increasing HCV diagnosis and treatment to meet WHO goals by 2030.
DAAs therapy in Scotland significantly reduced HCV-related decompensated cirrhosis presentations, with a 29-39% reduction. Early treatment initiation also showed lower lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years.
A novel point-of-care Hepatitis C assay has been developed to diagnose chronic cases in asymptomatic patients, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The assay detects HCV RNA reliably, faster than existing methods, and can be used at the point of care, reducing the need for centralized laboratories.
A new study by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute found that an eight-week treatment regimen for hepatitis C may be just as effective as a 12-week course in black patients. The study suggests that more people could take advantage of the shorter treatment duration, benefiting access and reducing costs.
The TraP Hep C program in Iceland uses a multidisciplinary approach to find and treat early HCV cases, prioritizing those who inject drugs. By the end of 2018, the program aims to complete active treatment for all known cases in the country.
In a groundbreaking study, doctors at Johns Hopkins successfully transplanted hepatitis C-infected kidneys into patients without the virus. The recipients remained hepatitis C-free, and their kidneys functioned well, paving the way for more organs to be used in transplants.
A recent study published in Pharmacology Research & Perspectives reveals racial disparities in Hepatitis C cure rates among patients receiving optimal therapies. The findings show lower cure rates for African American individuals compared to White individuals, highlighting the need for further exploration of underlying causes.
Researchers isolated two proteins from rattlesnake venom, phospholipase and crotapotin, which showed promising antiviral activity against the hepatitis C virus. These findings offer a new approach to combat this infectious disease.
A public health-primary care collaboration tested individuals aged 40-70 in two Dutch hotspots, achieving high test uptake of 51% without detecting active/chronic hepatitis C. The strategy may be effective in areas with high disease rates but not recommended for low prevalence countries.
New data reveals 52 million children globally affected by viral hepatitis, highlighting the need for treatment and prevention. Despite declining hepatitis B infections among children, cases of hepatitis C are expected to continue growing due to lack of programs for pregnant women living with the virus.
A 12-week course of hepatitis C drugs can be manufactured for just $50, making it cheaper than a plane ticket on many low-cost airlines. Generic copies are as effective as branded medicines, but restrictions and patent issues prevent widespread access.
The UK is struggling to find undiagnosed hepatitis C patients due to lack of awareness about deadly virus and new treatment drugs. Experts estimate that at least 100,000 people remain undiagnosed, threatening the country's goal to eliminate the disease by 2030.
New data reveals that only half of Americans with hepatitis C are aware of their condition, leading to missed opportunities for effective treatments. The lack of routine screening, asymptomatic nature of the disease, and restricted Medicaid coverage in some states contribute to these poor outcomes.
Nine countries are making progress towards eliminating hepatitis C, thanks to innovative approaches and increased funding. Brazil, Egypt, Australia, and Georgia are leading the way with mass screenings, vaccination campaigns, and risk-sharing agreements.
Australia is currently on track to eliminate hepatitis C due to its efforts in enabling population-wide access to treatment. However, maintaining high annual treatment numbers is crucial to meet the 2030 elimination target. For hepatitis B, progress is slower, and a significant commitment is needed to achieve the elimination goals.
A record 1.76 million people with hepatitis C were treated in 2016, but most countries are running out of patients to treat due to low diagnosis rates. Countries must boost diagnosis rates to achieve elimination targets by 2030.
A study finds that while HCV screening is common among young adults who use prescription opioids recreationally, the follow-up measures needed to stop the spread of the virus are significantly less so. Only a small percentage received confirmatory testing, specialty care, or education on how not to transmit the virus.
Leading medical organizations have issued new clinical guidance on hepatitis C in pregnancy, recommending screenings, treatments, and management strategies to minimize the risk of transmission. The guidelines emphasize the importance of vaccination against Hepatitis A and B during pregnancy for HCV-positive women.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases defines the burden of hepatitis C virus infection in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Researchers developed a simple test using existing HIV testing equipment, identifying 1% of adults living in the DRC as potentially infected.
A global review of 28 studies found that opioid substitution treatment (OST) reduces hepatitis C infection risk by 50% and when combined with high coverage needle syringe programmes (NSP) reduces risk by 74%. OST is essential for comprehensive strategies to prevent HCV transmission and disease.
A new study found that routine and rapid hepatitis C virus testing among young adults who use injection drugs significantly improves life expectancy. The test results are available on the same day as the sample is drawn, increasing the quality of life for this patient population.
A new study finds that sofosbuvir-based direct-acting antiviral therapy is safe and effective in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The treatment improved kidney function in stage 3 patients after cure, suggesting a potential therapeutic option for CKD patients with HCV.
The conference emphasizes that hepatitis C elimination is impossible without prioritizing people who use drugs, as they account for 8% of those living with chronic hepatitis C. New treatments have sparked hope for a world free of the disease, but testing and treatment remain low in many countries.
The Cherokee Nation has screened almost half of its population for hepatitis C and is on track to eliminate the virus. The tribe's progress towards elimination is attributed to the development of new antiviral drugs and collaboration with healthcare organizations.