Weekly News
Weekly news updates are currently posted on the Internet site and sent out via e-blast to provide up-to-date information on what has been covered in the news regarding hepatitis C in the previous week. Topics include all stories related to hepatitis C as well as personal stories and events.
Hepatitis C News
Week Ending January 20, 2020
No Link Found Between Hepatitis C Infection and Extrahepatic Cancers
‘A new retrospective study out of Asia was not able to confirm an association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and risk for extrahepatic malignancies. According to the study, several studies have shown that HCV may infect organs and tissue outside of the liver, and has been implicated in extrahepatic malignancies such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and oral carcinomas.’
Aspirin decreases hepatocellular carcinoma risk in hepatitis C virus carriers: A nationwide cohort study
‘A nationwide cohort study was performed to correlate the occurrence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers treated with or without aspirin. A sum of 2,980 aspirin-treated HCV carriers and 7,771 non-aspirin-treated HCV carriers were included in Taiwan between 2000 and 2012.’
Mandated hep C treatment for SC inmates gets initial consent
’A federal judge granted preliminary approval Tuesday of a proposed settlement mandating testing and treatment for hepatitis C of all inmates in South Carolina correction facilities. Plaintiffs Russell Geissler, Bernard Bagley and Willie James Jackson filed a lawsuit in 2017 against the Department of Corrections over a lack of treatment for hepatitis C.’
Mental and Cognitive Impairment in Hepatitis C Virus
‘Although the care of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has radically improved since the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first direct-acting antiviral medication for HCV treatment in 2013, the burden associated with the disease remains high, and the opioid epidemic has led to a surge in new cases.’
Global prevalence of hepatitis C virus in children in 2018: a modelling study
‘Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence estimates for adults and high-risk groups have been widely published, but the disease burden in children is poorly understood. Direct-acting antiviral drugs, which are considered to be highly effective curative therapies for HCV, are now approved for paediatric patients as young as 3 years.’
‘Major milestone’: Governor’s budget targets hepatitis C epidemic in prisons
‘Nearly half of the people in New Mexico’s state prisons are infected with hepatitis C, and for years, the Corrections Department has only purchased enough medicine to treat a fraction of them. But that may be about to change. The executive budget proposal Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham released Jan. 6 recommends $30 million in new funding for the Corrections Department for treatment of hepatitis C, with the expectation of curing most inmates by the end of 2024.’
Hepatitis D coinfection found in ‘household clusters’ in Cameroon
‘Investigation into the epidemiology of hepatitis D in Cameroon revealed intrahousehold infection and large differences in prevalence between regions, with cases concentrated in forested areas close to the equator, which has been seen in other tropical areas.’
New CA Bill to End the Epidemics of HIV, Hepatitis C and Other STDs in LGBTQ+ Community
‘Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) recently introduced a bill that would require state agencies to create and enforce a master plan to end new infections of HIV, hepatitis C and other STIs. All three diseases disproportionately impact gay and bisexual men, African American men and people ages 15-24, according to the Center for Disease Control. “We have the tools to end new infections of HIV and STDs. What we’re missing is political will.’