Clinical characteristics of monkeypox virus infections among men with and without HIV: A large outbreak cohort in Germany.

Background: Since May 2022, increasing numbers of monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections have been reported from across Europe and North America. Studies, mainly from Africa, have suggested a higher risk for severe MPXV cases in people living with HIV.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of all confirmed MPXV infections observed in the participating centres since 19 May 2022.

Genetic variation in IL28B and treatment-induced clearance of hepatitis C virus in HIV-positive patients with acute and chronic hepatitis C.

Recently, a IL28B (rs 12979860) gene polymorphism was identified as a predictor for response to hepatitis C virus-specific treatment in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-uninfected and -infected patients with chronic hepatitis C. In an analysis of HIV-infected patients with acute hepatitis C, we found that the IL28B genotype was associated with serum levels of hepatitis C virus RNA, g-GT, and CD4 cell count. In contrast to HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C, the IL28B genotype was not significantly associated with treatment response rates in patients with acute hepatitis C.

Effect of the interleukin-6 C174G gene polymorphism on treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis C in human immunodeficiency virus coinfected patients.

Unlabelled: Hepatitis C virus (HCV)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection poses a difficult therapeutic problem. Response to HCV-specific therapy is variable but might be influenced by host genetic factors, including polymorphisms of cytokine genes. Here, we studied whether interleukin-6 (IL-6) C174G gene polymorphism affects the response to antiviral treatment in HCV-infected HIV-positive subjects.

Pegylated interferon-alpha for the treatment of sexually transmitted acute hepatitis C in HIV-infected individuals.

Background: Sexually transmitted acute hepatitis C among HIV-positive homosexual men has been noted as an emerging epidemic.

Methods: Forty-seven patients with mainly sexually acquired, acute hepatitis C were enrolled in this prospective, multicentre trial, and 36 of these patients were treated within the acute phase of hepatitis C infection with pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) therapy.

Results: Early treatment resulted in sustained virological response in 61% of patients.

Pegylated interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in HIV-coinfected patients.

Objectives: HIV-coinfection accelerates the course of HCV-related liver disease. Since, highly active anti-retroviral therapy significantly improved survival of HIV-patients more coinfected patients develop end stage liver disease. Therefore, treatment options for chronic hepatitis C in HIV-coinfected patients need to be evaluated.

Selection of hepatitis B virus polymerase mutations in HIV-coinfected patients treated with tenofovir.

Background: Tenofovir (TDF) is an adenosine nucleotide analogue that has been approved for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. It also shows activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients with or without lamivudine (LAM)-associated mutations. Development of clinical or virological HBV breakthrough during TDF therapy has not been reported so far.

Pilot study of interferon alpha high-dose induction therapy in combination with ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C in HIV-co-infected patients.

Twenty-three HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-co-infected patients received dose-escalated IFN-alpha (5 MIU/day) induction therapy for 10 weeks, followed by 36 weeks of thrice-weekly IFN-alpha treatment (5 MIU), both in combinations with ribavirin. Sustained HCV clearance was observed in three patients. Nine patients discontinued the study aas a result of adverse reactions such as anaemia, pancreatitis and depression.