Increased Hepatitis C virus screening, diagnosis and linkage to care rates among people who use drugs through a patient-centered program from Italy.

Background: Rates of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and diagnosis are variable among people who use drugs (PWUD). In Puglia in 2018, of 871 subjects screened, 38% had HCV antibodies (HCVAb). Despite sustained virologic response at week 12 Sustained virologic response (SVR12) rates >95%, addiction centers in Italy are not allowed to prescribe direct-acting antivirals (DAA).

Interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) daily dose versus IFN alpha plus ribavirin for treatment-naive chronic hepatitis c patients infected by genotype 1b.

Introduction: Infection with hepatitis C virus genotype 1b (HCV1b) is known to be a predictive factor of poor response to both interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) alone and IFN alpha plus ribavirin combination therapy.STUDY DESIGN, PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomised study evaluated the efficacy and safety of daily IFN alpha administration versus the combination of IFN alpha plus ribavirin in treatment-naive patients infected with chronic HCV1b. Sixty-two patients were randomised to receive either human leucocyte IFN alpha 6MU three times weekly for 12 months plus ribavirin 15 mg/kg/day for the first 6 months (group A: 29 patients), or human leucocyte IFN alpha 3MU daily for 12 months (group B: 33 patients).

[Efficacy of alpha interferon treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C associated to mixed cryoglobulinaemia].

Objective. Mixed cryoglobulinaemia is closely associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim of this trial was to evaluate in a prospective open study the efficacy of ?-interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus associated to mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC).

Increased concentrations of eosinophilic cationic protein in whole-gut lavage fluid from children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Eosinophils may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. The purpose of this study was to verify whether concentrations of eosinophilic cationic protein in gut lavage fluid from children with inflammatory bowel disease correlate with clinical and laboratory indexes of disease activity.

Methods: Twenty-three children with Crohn's disease, 14 with ulcerative colitis, and 22 age-matched control subjects entered the study.

Use of a new thickened formula for treatment of symptomatic gastrooesophageal reflux in infants.

Background: Paediatricians are familiar with infants complaining of regurgitation and emesis from gastrooesophageal reflux. These subjects, usually growing satisfactorily and healthy, are affected by "functional" or "symptomatic" gastrooesophagel reflux and are treated with posture changes and thickened feedings.

Aim: To evaluate in infants with symptomatic gastrooesophageal reflux the effect of a new formula (Nutrilon AR), containing carob flour/locus bean gum as a thickening agent; both clinical features and oesophageal acid exposure were evaluated.