Rate of congenital toxoplasmosis in large integrated health care setting, California, USA, 1998-2012.

Rate of Congenital Toxoplasmosis, California

Effectiveness of telaprevir and boceprevir triple therapy for patients with hepatitis C virus infection in a large integrated care setting.

Background: In 2011, the FDA approved telaprevir (TVR) and boceprevir (BOC) for use with pegylated interferon and ribavirin to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1. We aimed to evaluate the real-world application, tolerability, and effectiveness of TVR- and BOC-based HCV treatment in a large integrated care setting.

Methods: We utilized Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program (KPNC) electronic databases and medical records to study the experience of all KPNC patients who initiated TVR or BOC from June 2011 to March 2012.

Characteristics and management of patients with chronic hepatitis B in an integrated care setting.

Background: Few population-based studies have described characteristics and management of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in the USA.

Methods: We retrospectively studied adults with CHB in the Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program (KPNC) from July 2009 to December 2010 (n = 12,016). Laboratory tests, treatment patterns, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance were ascertained during a "recent" 18-month study window (July 2009-December 2010), or as "ever" based on records dating to 1995.

Monocyte activation by interferon α is associated with failure to achieve a sustained virologic response after treatment for hepatitis C virus infection.

Background: Interferon α (IFN-α) and ribavirin can induce a sustained virologic response (SVR) in some but not all hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. The mechanism of effective treatment is unclear. One possibility is that IFN-α differentially improves the functional capacity of classic myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) by altering expression of surface molecules or cytokines.

Physical, social, and psychological consequences of treatment for hepatitis C : a community-based evaluation of patient-reported outcomes.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antiviral therapy entails a long treatment course, as well as significant side effects that can lead to medication non-adherence and premature termination of treatment. Few large studies have comprehensively examined patient perspectives on the treatment experience, particularly the social and personal effects.

Objective: We sought to understand how a diverse group of patients' lives were affected during HCV treatment, and to obtain suggestions about how to better support patients during treatment.

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in a diverse US integrated health care population.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes influence response to therapy, and recently approved direct-acting antivirals are genotype-specific. Genotype distribution information can help to guide antiviral development and elucidate infection patterns. HCV genotype distributions were studied in a diverse cross-section of patients in the Northern California Kaiser Permanente health plan.