HBV Markers, Reactivation Do Not Impact Effectiveness of Direct-Acting Antivirals for HCV
January 16th 2024Response to direct-acting antiviral therapy was similar between patients with and without HBV coinfection, with most patients completing the planned course of treatment and achieving SVR, even in the case of HBV reactivation.
Black Patients Receive Less HAI Testing Despite Similar Positivity Rates to White Patients
January 15th 2024A retrospective cohort study of inpatient encounters from 3 hospitals in the Duke University Health System showed greater rates of testing among White patients compared to Black and NWNB patients.
Infectious Disease: This Week's News
January 13th 2024This week's news includes emerging treatment options for patients with persistently positive blood cultures with Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus; how the development of antimicrobial stewardship programs can be an effective strategy for beginning to reduce this critical timing for patients in ICUs; a look at another antibiotic being studied for a healthcare-associated infection; and an investigational vaccine against the Nipah virus begins.
DAAs Reduce Iron Parameters in Patients with Hepatitis C, Hyperferritinemia
January 8th 2024Statistically significant reductions in serum ferritin, transferrin saturation index, and iron levels were observed after treatment, with hyperferritinemia eradicated in nearly all patients treated with DAAs achieving SVR.
Attitudes Towards Vaccines Demonstrate More Hesitancy for COVID-19 vs Influenza Immunizations
January 2nd 2024In a new survey, respondents said both vaccines were efficacious, but a higher share said influenza vaccines were very safe compared to COVID-19 vaccines. This demonstrates a public health concern considering the higher incidence rates and hospitalizations of COVID-19 over the flu, and the possibility of low vaccine intakes.
Hepatitis C: The Year in Review
December 26th 2023In 2023, there were numerous developments in hepatitis C including the Biden Administration's new budget that put aside several billion dollars towards establishing a hepatitis C (HCV) program; the Cherokee Nation's Hepatitis C elimination program which has worked to increase screening and get people into the continuum of care; and how one clinician is bringing HCV care to the streets through her mobile clinics. Check out these stories and more from this year.