Patients with HCV genotype-1 who have failed a direct-acting antiviral regimen: virological characteristics and efficacy of retreatment.

Background: This real-world clinical setting study characterized the virological patterns in genotype-1 patients failing interferon (IFN)-free regimens and evaluated the efficacy of re-treatment.

Methods: A total of 73 consecutive patients failing IFN-free regimens were enrolled (17 genotype-1a and 56 -1b). At failure Sanger sequencing of NS3, NS5A and NS5B regions was performed by home-made protocols.

Virological patterns of HCV patients with failure to interferon-free regimens.

The study characterized the virological patterns and the resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in patients with failure to IFN-free regimens enrolled in the real-life setting. All 87 consecutive HCV patients with failed IFN-free regimens, observed at the laboratory of the University of Campania, were enrolled. All patients had been treated with DAA regimens according to the HCV genotype, international guidelines, and local availability.

Sustained virological response by direct antiviral agents in HCV leads to an early and significant improvement of liver fibrosis.

Background: Direct antiviral agents (DAA) demonstrated high efficacy among HCV-infected patients in registered trials. Nevertheless, the impact of these therapies on liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and liver functionality in 'real-life' is not well-known. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sustained virological response (SVR) impact on LSM and clinical parameters of DAA-therapy on a real-life population of HCV patients with F3/F4 fibrosis.

Impact of Telaprevir in HCV Patients with Cirrhosis and RVR: Real-Life Data from Boceprevir or Telaprevir based "Triple Therapy" Experience in Southern Italy.

Unlabelled: Background and Rationale of Study: The real-life data of triple therapy-based treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C were investigated in this survey of 12 clinical centers of southern Italy. This retrospective study analyzed data from 176 consecutive patients.

Methods: 125 (70%) patients were treated with telaprevir, and 51(30%) with boceprevir.

Multiple viral infections.

Individuals at risk of HIV are concomitantly at risk of acquiring parenterally or sexually transmitted viruses. Multiple hepatitis co-infection (HBV+HCV; HBV+HDV; HBV+HDV+HCV) has not been systematically sought after in the large cohorts of HIV-infected patients, but has been reported in 0.4% to more than 50% of patients.

[Prevalence and risk factors for bacteriuria in patients with cirrhosis].

Bacterial infections occur frequently in patients with cirrhosis and may worsen the disease outcome. We investigated the prevalence of bacteriuria in 500 consecutive patients with cirrhosis, in different Child-Pugh stages (41.4% A; 40.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in HIV-infected patients: epidemiological features, clinical presentation and outcome.

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an increasing cause of mortality in HIV-seropositive individuals. The aim of the study was to compare the main features of HCC in HIV-seropositive individuals with those in to HIV-negative patients.

Patients And Methods: All HIV-infected subjects with a diagnosis of HCC included in three cancer registry databases were enrolled in the study as cases.

Case report: effect of antileishmanial treatment on hepatitis C viraemia in a visceral leishmaniasis patient with chronic hepatitis C.

We describe a case of Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in a patient with pre-existing chronic hepatitis C, which caused high hepatitis C virus (HCV) plasma concentration and was followed by a rapidly growing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The high HCV load was drastically and persistently reduced soon after treatment with liposomal amphotericin B suggesting a cause-effect interaction. Some data suggest that liposomal amphotericin B may have an immunomodulatory effect.

Epidemiological and clinical burden of chronic hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus infection. A multicenter Italian study.

Background/aims: This study assess prevalence, risk factors, and clinical and virological features of dual hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: We evaluated 837 hepatitis B surface antigen positive patients, prospectively enrolled in 14 Italian units.

Results: Anti-HCV was present in 59 cases (7%); age specific prevalences were 4.

Risk factors for "major" embolic events in hospitalized patients with infective endocarditis.

Background: Infective endocarditis often is complicated by embolic events after hospital admission. Identifying patients at higher risk may improve the disease outcome. This study was aimed at identifying predictors of embolic risk among the clinical and laboratory data obtained on hospital admission in patients diagnosed as having definite infective endocarditis according to the Duke criteria.

Immunogenicity and safety of an adjuvanted influenza vaccine in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

The immunogenicity and tolerability of an adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine was evaluated in 20 patients with cirrhosis due to chronic HBV or HCV infections and eight healthy age matched controls. Seroconversion or a four-fold or greater increase in HI antibody titres to each antigen occurred in 75-85% of the patients and in 100% of the controls. One month after vaccination, the geometric mean antibody titres were significantly higher than baseline in both groups of vaccinees.

Histological and virological features and follow-up of hepatitis C virus carriers with normal aminotransferase levels: the Italian prospective study of the asymptomatic C carriers (ISACC).

Background/aims: To evaluate demographic characteristics, liver histology and virological features of hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers with normal alanine transaminase (ALT) levels.

Methods: A nationwide prospective study was started in 1997. Four Italian centres have participated in this study.