Could ‘test often, treat early’ approach help eliminate hepatitis C among people with HIV?
“Burnet Institute’s Dr Rachel Sacks-Davis is the lead investigator on an NHMRC Ideas Grant worth over $600,000, awarded to examine how a ‘test often, treat early’ approach could help eliminate hepatitis C among people with HIV.”
NIH-funded study finds hepatitis C treatment gap for individuals with alcohol use disorder
“A new study supported by the National Institutes of Health shows that individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) are less likely to receive antivirals for hepatitis C, despite current guidelines recommending antiviral treatment regardless of alcohol use. Direct-acting antiviral treatment is highly effective at reducing serious illness and death among individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, a condition that commonly occurs among people with AUD. Led by scientists at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, the research was conducted by a team of international scientists and published in JAMA Network Open.”
National strategy to eliminate HCV must engage primary care providers to diagnose, treat
“WASHINGTON — In this video, Norah Terrault, MD, MPG, FAASLD, chief of gastroenterology and liver diseases at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, discusses a national strategy to eliminate hepatitis C virus.”
Former YSPH student has a plan to overcome resistance to syringe services
“When Will Eger, MPH, ’21, wanted to understand the challenges in implementing syringe services programs (SSPs) — which aim to address the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV — he focused his efforts on a city and state far from Yale’s campus.”
Legal and medical experts say denying hepatitis C care is cruel and unusual punishment, but the courts are still catching up
“The final years of Carl Hoffer’s life were, in his words, “living hell.” His legs were so swollen they’d crack and leak white fluid. When he was hospitalized in August 2016, hospital staff used a needle to drain 7 liters of fluid from his abdomen. By the end, he could only move with the help of a wheelchair, and he’d often have accidents because he lacked the energy to get to the bathroom.”
These 8 states are doing the worst job of treating hepatitis C in prisons
“In 2022, whether an incarcerated person gets cured of hepatitis C is largely determined by where they’re locked up. If you’re sentenced for breaking a state law in most of middle America, you’re likely out of luck. Iowa treated less than 4% of its hepatitis C-positive prison population last year with the new class of curative antiviral pills. South Dakota has a policy on the books that blocks treatment for anyone who doesn’t have serious liver damage. And Nebraska even forces people to sign forms acknowledging these drugs might not work — when they almost always do.”
1.2 million prep. students screened for Hepatitis C: Health ministry
“As part of Egypt’s “100 Million Healthy Lives Initiative” to eradicate Hepatitis C in Egypt and detect non-communicable diseases, 1.2 million first graders in preparatory schools have been examined since the launch of the initiative on December 14 and until Wednesday, announced the Health and Population Ministry.”
HIV Serostatus Affects Hepatitis C Virus Care Cascade
“Individuals with HIV who are prescribed medication to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) receive more follow-up testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV), but treatment for HCV is similar to those without HIV. Opioid injection drug use (IDU) rates are also reduced more in participants without HIV who are prescribed MOUD. These study findings were published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.”
The gut–liver axis in HCV infection
“Longitudinal sampling of patients with hepatitis C virus before and after elimination of the virus reveals links between functions of the gut microbiome and liver disease.”
Harm reduction services are critical during holiday season
“ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Harm reduction plays a significant role in preventing drug-related deaths by offering critical services. Todd Rothrock, the Center Manager & Program Coordinator with the Council of Community Services Drop-In Center, joined us on Here @ Home to talk about the services they offer to the community. He explains how the Drop-In Center provides FREE testing and risk reduction counseling, service navigation for HIV preventatives like PrEP, as well as a Comprehensive Harm Reduction program that works to reduce the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C due to syringe use.” “The CDC Recommends everyone test at least once for HIV and Hepatitis C in their life, so that’s a great New Year’s Resolution.”
Hepatitis C Guideline Updated for Chronic Kidney Disease Population
“A work group of the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) organization has updated its 2018 guideline recommendations for treating hepatitis C in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The updated guideline, which was published in Kidney International, provides additional recommendations for diagnosing and managing kidney diseases associated with hepatitis C.”
