Hepatitis C

A trip to the beauty salon could result in exposure to dangerous blood-borne viruses.

The few hepatitis C rapid tests available now are either too expensive or lack quality – posing problems for extensive distribution.

An interesting discovery about some Irish women exposed to the hepatitis C virus in the late 1970s has led scientists to study the possible existence of a super immune gene.

The concept of pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection is well established. In an editorial in Hepatology, and Australian researcher proposes extending the concept to people at high risk for getting hepatitis C: HIV-infected men who have sex with men.

Can a plant extract found in berries help treat hepatitis C virus? Spanish researchers say the flavonoid quercetin is effective in inhibiting an enzyme and interrupting the virus' replication.

Treating prison inmates for hepatitis C infection is a key to ending the spread of the disease. A UK study found treatment works best when it can be completed before a prisoner is released or transferred.

A new study examined the cost of increasingly prevalent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in both the United States and Europe and places the bill in the hundreds of billions.

A study in women coinfected with hepatitis C and HIV found that use of marijuana was not associated with progression to advanced liver fibrosis.

In study, GPT and GOT levels significantly decreased in the Kuan Sin Yin group as compared to the placebo group, by 29.7% and 24.4% respectively.

Overall sustained virologic response, a marker for a cure, was achieved in 96% of patients with genotype 1b strain of the virus after 12 weeks of Zepatier. In patients infected with genotype 4 of the virus, 94% were cured after 12 weeks of Zepatier treatment.

The regulator placed a clinical hold on human trials involving a new investigational hepatitis C drug that targets microRNA following a report of jaundice by someone enrolled in a study.

Researchers in Italy found that some patients who are successfully treated for the hepatitis C virus tend to live as long as others in the general population not infected with the disease.

Researchers assessed the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma among patients who have been cured of the hepatitis C virus.

Nurse practitioners with three hours training were better than specialists or primary care providers at getting HCV patients to complete their DAA regimens, Washington, DC area researchers found.

A recent study in the United Kingdom looked at the 6-month outcomes of those with hepatitis C cirrhosis on antiviral treatment.

Work being done to treat and cure hepatitis C today could make it almost a non-issue for future generations, thanks to groups like the World Health Organization (WHO) and others putting the focus on parts of the world that need help in this area the most.

The field of gastroenterology is as wide as the the amount of the body that it covers. Because of this there are certain challenges doctors face whether they treat the entire gastrointestinal system or just specific parts.

Tattoo aficionados who appreciate the creative license behind professional inking can now take solace in the potential health benefits of tattoos.

The European Commission has approved expanded use of a Bristol-Myers Squibb hepatitis C drug to include patient populations with decompensated cirrhosis, HIV-1 coinfection and post-liver transplant recurrence of the virus.

A multi-study analysis shows that a majority of patients with hepatitis C maintained sustained virological response five years after they were treated but researchers found higher risk of reinfection among patients in two subgroups.

It was not long ago that patients with hepatitis C were among the leading candidates for liver transplants. Now that many forms of the disease are curable that attention can be turned to other patients in need.

A US Senate investigation found that drug maker Gilead Sciences sought to maximize profits of its blockbuster hepatitis C drug, without any significant consideration of the thousands of patients who could not afford its pricey pill.

Hepatologists around the world are seeing an influx of patients with various liver conditions including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Finding ways to treat these patients has become a growing area of the field. These issues are the same whether doctors are treating military patients or those in civilian practice alike.

When treating liver disease every advantage can help doctors get their patients the care they need before the condition progresses further. A recent study looked at the potential of developing a scoring system to look at risks for this patient population.

Researchers have developed a method to screen for hepatitis C using a urine test that is faster and cheaper than traditional blood tests.