Progression of fibrosis in hepatitis C with and without schistosomiasis: correlation with serum markers of fibrosis.

Serial liver biopsies are the gold standard by which the progression of fibrosis is evaluated. This longitudinal cohort study assessed the different rates in the progression of fibrosis using serial liver biopsies and serum fibrosis markers YKL-40 and PIIINP and the cytokines, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNuF-alpha). A 10-year cohort study was performed in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) alone or HCV and schistosomiasis.

Peginterferon alfa-2b therapy in acute hepatitis C: impact of onset of therapy on sustained virologic response.

Background & Aims: Pegylated interferon therapy has not been adequately evaluated in acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This randomized trial assessed the efficacy, safety, and timing of pegylated interferon alfa-2b for treatment of acute hepatitis C.

Methods: One hundred seventy-five patients acutely infected with HCV were screened.

Cellular immune responses in seronegative sexual contacts of acute hepatitis C patients.

Acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) is typically defined as new viremia and antibody seroconversion. Rates and immunologic correlates of hepatitis C clearance have therefore been based on clearance of viremia only in individuals who initially had an antibody response. We sought to characterize the immunological correlates of clearance in patients with acute hepatitis C and their sexual contacts.