Non-invasive liver fibrosis assessment and HCV treatment initiation within a systematic screening program in HIV/HCV coinfected patients.

Background And Aim: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy should be considered without delay in all patients with significant (SIGFIB) or advanced liver fibrosis (ADVFIB). We aimed to investigate the rates of treatment initiation with interferon-free regimens within a screening program for SIGFIB/ADVFIB in human immunodeficiency virus/HCV coinfected patients (HIV/HCV).

Methods: The FIB-4 was calculated in all HIV/HCV from 2014-2016.

EV-Associated MMP9 in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Is Preferentially Localized to Annexin V-Binding EVs.

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most aggressive type of ovarian cancer and is responsible for most deaths caused by gynecological cancers. Numerous candidate biomarkers were identified for this disease in the last decades, but most were not sensitive or specific enough for clinical applications. Hence, new biomarkers for HGSOC are urgently required.

Non-selective beta-blocker treatment does not impact on kidney function in cirrhotic patients with varices.

Goals And Background: Non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs) are used for bleeding prophylaxis in cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal varices (GEVs). Recent data suggested that NSBB treatment might increase the risk of renal dysfunction in patients with refractory ascites due to an impaired response to acute haemodynamic stress.

Study: Retrospective longitudinal assessment of kidney function in a cohort of cirrhotic patients with GEVs with vs.

Progress in eradication of HCV in HIV positive patients with significant liver fibrosis in Vienna.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of interferon and ribavirin-free sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV) and ritonavir boosted paritaprevir/ombitasvir with or without dasabuvir (2D/3D) regimens in a real-life cohort of human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus (HIV/HCV) coinfected patients. The study focused on efficacy, need for changes in antiretroviral therapy (ART) due to drug-drug interaction (DDI), and treatment-associated changes in liver stiffness.

Methods: In this study 36 patients (n = 21 SOF/LDV and n = 15 2D/3D) were retrospectively analyzed.

Interferon-free regimens improve portal hypertension and histological necroinflammation in HIV/HCV patients with advanced liver disease.

Background: HIV/HCV co-infected patients show accelerated fibrosis progression and higher risk for complications of portal hypertension (PHT).

Aim: To assess the effects of interferon-free therapy on portal pressure, liver histology and plasma biomarkers in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with PHT.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with paired hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurements prior and after successful treatment (SVR) with interferon-free regimens were included.

Low 25-OH-vitamin D levels reflect hepatic dysfunction and are associated with mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Vitamin D deficiency is frequent in patients with cirrhosis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the relation of vitamin D status to portal hypertension, degree of liver dysfunction and survival.

Methods: Patients with cirrhosis who have been tested for 25-OH-vitamin D levels were retrospectively included.

Beta adrenergic blockade and decompensated cirrhosis.

Non-selective betablockers (NSBBs) remain the cornerstone of medical treatment of portal hypertension. The evidence for their efficacy to prevent variceal bleeding is derived from prospective trials, which largely excluded patients with refractory ascites and renal failure. In parallel to the increasing knowledge on portal hypertension-induced changes in systemic hemodynamics, cardiac function, and renal perfusion, emerging studies have raised concerns about harmful effects of NSBBs.

Beta blockers and cirrhosis, 2016.

To date, non-selective beta blockers (NSBBs) are a cornerstone in the treatment of portal hypertension. During the last years, our understanding of the potential benefits of early initiation of NSBB treatment, their effects beyond the prevention of variceal bleeding (i.e.

HCV reinfection incidence and spontaneous clearance rates in HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Western Europe.

Background & Aims: Moderate cure rates of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections with pegylated interferon and ribavirin have been described in the last decade in men who have sex with men (MSM), who are also coinfected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, a subsequent high incidence of HCV reinfections has been reported regionally in men who both clear the infection spontaneously or who respond to treatment.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of reinfections in HIV infected MSM in eight centers from Austria, France, Germany, and the UK within the NEAT network between May 2002 and June 2014.

Interferon-free regimens improve health-related quality of life and fatigue in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with advanced liver disease: A retrospective study.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is impaired in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (HIV/HCV) and further decreased by interferon (IFN)-based therapies. We aimed to investigate the impact of IFN- and ribavirin (RBV)-free therapies on HRQoL and fatigue.Thirty-three HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who underwent HCV therapy with sofosbuvir in combination with daclatasvir or ledipasvir were retrospectively studied and compared to 17 patients who received boceprevir (BOC)/PEGIFN/RBV.

Sustained virologic response to interferon-free therapies ameliorates HCV-induced portal hypertension.

Background & Aims: We aimed to investigate the impact of sustained virologic response (SVR) to interferon (IFN)-free therapies on portal hypertension in patients with paired hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurements.

Methods: One hundred and four patients with portal hypertension (HVPG ⩾6mmHg) who underwent HVPG and liver stiffness measurement before IFN-free therapy (baseline [BL]) were retrospectively studied. Among 100 patients who achieved SVR, 60 patients underwent HVPG and transient elastography (TE) after antiviral therapy (follow-up [FU]).

The trigger matters - outcome of hepatorenal syndrome vs. specifically triggered acute kidney injury in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Background: Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) represents a severe form of renal injury in cirrhotic patients with ascites in the absence of certain triggers.

Methods: Patients with cirrhosis and ascites were longitudinally screened for renal dysfunction. HRS was diagnosed by an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) by ≥100% to ≥1.

Plasma renin concentration represents an independent risk factor for mortality and is associated with liver dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis.

Background And Aim: Plasma renin concentration (PRC) is increased in patients with cirrhosis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the relation of PRC to (i) portal hypertension, (ii) degree of liver dysfunction, and (iii) survival.

Methods: Plasma renin concentration (range 2.

Impact of Early Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Patients with Acute HIV Infection in Vienna, Austria.

Background: It is unclear whether antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be initiated during acute HIV infection. Most recent data provides evidence of benefits of early ART.

Methods: We retrospectively compared the clinical and immunological course of individuals with acute HIV infection, who received ART within 3 months (group A) or not (group B) after diagnosis.

Interferon-free treatment with sofosbuvir/daclatasvir achieves sustained virologic response in 100% of HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients with advanced liver disease.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of interferon (IFN) and ribavirin (RBV)-free therapy with sofosbuvir along with daclatasvir (SOF/DCV) in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients (HIV/HCV), who have an urgent need for effective antiviral therapy. We also assessed its impact on liver stiffness and liver enzymes.

Design: Thirty-one patients thoroughly documented HIV/HCV with advanced liver disease (advanced liver fibrosis and/or portal hypertension) who were treated with SOF/DCV were retrospectively studied.

Advances in the management of HIV/HCV coinfection.

HCV coinfection has emerged as a major cause of non-AIDS-related morbidity and mortality in HIV-positive patients. As a consequence of the availability of modern combined antiretroviral therapy regimens, for optimally managed HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, the rates of liver fibrosis progression and the risk of liver-related events are increasingly similar to those of HCV-monoinfected patients. Moreover, our understanding of modulators of liver disease progression has greatly improved.

Conversion from Tacrolimus to Cyclosporine A Improves Glucose Tolerance in HCV-Positive Renal Transplant Recipients.

Background: Calcineurin-inhibitors and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increase the risk of post-transplant diabetes mellitus. Chronic HCV infection promotes insulin resistance rather than beta-cell dysfunction. The objective was to elucidate whether a conversion from tacrolimus to cyclosporine A affects fasting and/or dynamic insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion or all in HCV-positive renal transplant recipients.