HCV / Hepatitis

This week, AI speeds antibiotic discovery, Temple’s ID team celebrates tradition, EDs boost Hep C detection, thimerosal exits flu shots, and the pandemic’s silent toll on brain health emerges.

Lin Zhu explains why testing alone will not achieve HCV elimination without better access and integrated care.

Jason Haukoos, MD, on how the DETECT Hep C trial leverages 24/7 emergency care to reach vulnerable patients.

This week, the first US study screening hepatitis B and D concurrently found that 2.2% of HBV-positive samples had HDV antibodies, the FDA approved GSK’s Shingrix, and more.

Jason Haukoos, MD, MSc, FACEP, shares the decade-long journey behind the DETECT Hep C trial and why emergency departments are key to implementing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention screening guidelines.

In our latest podcast, first author Elizabeth Marlowe, PhD, D(ABMM), offers insights on her study looking at this ongoing issue, including the need for increased testing and getting patients into the continuum of care in a more efficient manner.

Study findings underscore the cost-effectiveness of more frequent hepatitis C testing among people who inject drugs, compared to less frequent or no testing at all.

Shortening the OraQuick HCV antibody test from 20 to 5 minutes reduced false positives and unnecessary follow-up RNA testing, but detected fewer viremic individuals.

DETECT Hep C trial shows nontargeted testing in emergency departments outperforms risk-based screening, yet treatment follow-through remains low.

Carl Schmid on the US Supreme Court ruling, proposed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cuts, stigma, and why equitable PrEP access, including new long-acting options, depends on more than insurance.

HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute director discusses PrEP access, insurer compliance, and challenges ahead following the landmark decision.

Findings from recent studies published in BMC Gastroenterology highlight practical diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic strategies to improve management of chronic hepatitis B.

This week, the ACIP recommends clesrovimab for RSV protection in infants under 8 months without maternal immunity, ASM Microbe talk urges for creative funding solutions amid federal freezes to sustain research and careers, and more.

New longitudinal study findings suggest booster vaccination may not be necessary despite declining antibody levels.

At ASM Microbe 2025, Meghan Starolis, PhD, discusses her presentation on antiviral testing including the advantages and limitations to genotypic and phenotypic testing and looking at how this can affect the immunocompromised population.

Presented at ASM Microbe 2025, a bioinformatics study highlights 9 human miRNAs capable of binding and potentially inhibiting both hepatitis C and bovine viral diarrhea viruses.

Data from the 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance report highlight key differences in death rates across states and populations, informing targeted public health efforts.

After initially closing its viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted disease laboratories, the CDC rescinds staff terminations, preserving vital disease surveillance and outbreak response capabilities.

Successful HCV treatment with DAAs was associated with reduced risks of CKD, stroke, major adverse cardiac events, and neurocognitive disorders.

This week, the FDA expanded Moderna’s RSV vaccine to younger at-risk adults, Merck’s Enflonsia received approval to protect infants from RSV, HHS Secretary RFK Jr replaced the CDC’s ACIP, and more.

The antiviral, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (Mavyet), is the first and only oral 8-week pangenotypic treatment approved for people with acute or chronic hepatitis C. The approval supports global clinical guidelines to advance testing and treatment of HCV regardless of chronicity and supports public health goals for disease elimination.

Hydronidone demonstrated significant efficacy in liver fibrosis regression in CHB patients, meeting the primary endpoint in a phase 3 trial. The company plans to file regulatory applications in China and the US, aiming to expand the therapy's indications.

Therapeutic vaccines GS-2829 and GS-6779 demonstrate immune responses and strong safety profile, showing potential to contribute to global hepatitis B elimination efforts.

Multinational real-world analysis underscores the effectiveness of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) across diverse populations and highlights the need for timely treatment initiation to improve patient outcomes.

The company detailed its preliminary 24-week post–end-of-treatment data for its tobevibart and elebsiran combination, which is being studied for chronic hepatitis B.