Coinfection with HIV and hepatitis C virus in injection drug users and minority populations.

Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common. In the United States, it has been estimated that 25% of persons infected with HIV are also infected with HCV. The prevalence of coinfection with HIV and HCV is highest among those infected via percutaneous routes.

Light, but not heavy alcohol drinking, stimulates paraoxonase by upregulating liver mRNA in rats and humans.

Paraoxonase 1 (PON) may contribute to the cardioprotective action of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) because it inhibits low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, a prerequisite for the onset of atherosclerosis. Because light drinking and heavy drinking have diametrically opposite effects on cardioprotection, we have determined the effects of ethanol dosage on rat serum PON activity and its hepatic expression. Furthermore, we have investigated PON activity and polymorphism in human light and heavy drinkers.

Low-positive anti-hepatitis C virus enzyme immunoassay results: an important predictor of low likelihood of hepatitis C infection.

Background: Tests for hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV enzyme immunoassays) are usually described as positive or negative. Several studies, mainly in blood donors, have found that specimens with low signal/cutoff (S/C) ratios are commonly negative when tested with a recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) or for HCV RNA.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 17 418 consecutive anti-HCV results from a screening program for high-risk veterans; 2986 (17.

Understudied populations with hepatitis C.

Managing patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection consists primarily of antiviral treatment, currently with peginterferon and ribavirin. Unfortunately, treatment recommendations derive largely from trials that have focused on highly selected patient populations. As a consequence of the strict inclusion and exclusion criteria in these studies, more than half of all HCV-infected patients would be ineligible for enrollment.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in patients with liver disease.

Objectives: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used by 42% of the U.S. population.