Pilot study of postexposure prophylaxis for hepatitis C virus in healthcare workers.

Background And Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission occurs in 0.2%-10% of people after accidental needlestick exposures. However, postexposure prophylaxis is not currently recommended.

Cost-effectiveness of treatment for hepatitis C in an urban cohort co-infected with HIV.

Purpose: Recent clinical trials have evaluated treatment strategies for chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Our objective was to use these data to examine the cost-effectiveness of treating HCV in an urban cohort of co-infected patients.

Methods: A computer-based model, together with available published data, was used to estimate lifetime costs (2004 US dollars), life expectancy, and incremental cost per year of life saved (YLS) associated with 3 treatment strategies: (1) interferon-alfa and ribavirin; (2) pegylated interferon-alfa; and (3) pegylated interferon-alfa and ribavirin.

Predictors of antiretroviral-related hepatotoxicity in the adult AIDS Clinical Trial Group (1989-1999).

HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART)-related hepatotoxicity is a significant clinical problem, resulting in severe elevations of liver enzymes and, potentially, liver failure and death. We retrospectively determined baseline clinical predictors of severe hepatotoxicity (SH; serum aminotransferases or total bilirubin >5 times and >2.5 times the upper limit of normal [ULN], respectively) among 8,851 subjects enrolled in 16 Adult AIDS Clinical Trial Group studies from October 1989 to June 1999.

Serologic and molecular diagnosis of hepatitis B virus.

Serologic assays for HBV are the mainstay diagnostic tools for HBV infection. However, the advent of molecular biology-based techniques has added a new dimension to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic HBV infection. Over the past decade, improvements in molecular technology, permitting detection of as few as 10 copies/mL of HBV DNA in serum have led to redefinitions of chronic HBV infection, as well as thresholds for antiviral treatment.

Safety assurances for dietary supplements policy issues and new research paradigms.

Herbal therapies are used by more than 12% of the U.S. population each year, resulting in annual out-of-pocket expenses above $5 billion.

Serologic and molecular diagnosis of hepatitis B virus.

Serologic assays for HBV are the mainstay diagnostic tools for HBV infection. However, the advent of molecular biology-based techniques has added a new dimension to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chronic HBV infection. Over the past decade, improvements in molecular technology, permitting detection of as few as 10 copies/mL of HBV DNA in serum have led to redefinitions of chronic HBV infection, as well as thresholds for antiviral treatment.