AGA Clinical Practice Guideline on the Prevention and Treatment of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in At-Risk Individuals.

Background & Aims: Hepatitis B reactivation (HBVr) can occur due to a variety of immune-modulating exposures, including multiple drug classes and disease states. Antiviral prophylaxis can be effective in mitigating the risk of HBVr. In select cases, clinical monitoring without antiviral prophylaxis is sufficient for managing the risk of HBVr.

Herald Patch as the Only Evidence of Pityriasis Rosea: Clinical, Laboratory and Pathogenetic Features.

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a self-limited exanthem associated with the endogenous systemic reactivation of human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 and HHV-7. The disease typically begins with a single erythematous patch on the trunk (herald patch), followed by a secondary eruption of smaller papulosquamous lesions. Rarely, the herald patch may be the only cutaneous manifestation of PR.

Unveiling Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Hepatitis D Among Vulnerable Communities in Romania.

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and Delta (HDV) virus infections pose critical public health challenges, particularly in Romania, where HDV co-infection is underdiagnosed.

Methods: This study investigates the epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of HBV/HDV co-infection in vulnerable populations, leveraging data from the LIVE(RO2) program. Conducted between July 2021 and November 2023, the program screened 320,000 individuals across 24 counties, targeting socially disadvantaged groups such as rural residents, the Roma community, and those lacking health insurance.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes in Patients with Chronic HBV Infection and Hospitalized for COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The effects of a concomitant infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are still debated, with a recognized major risk of HBV reactivation during immune-suppressive treatments. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictive factors of HBV reactivation in a cohort of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and a current or past hepatitis B infection. In a monocentric retrospective observational study, we enrolled all consecutive hospital admitted patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and a positive HBV serology (N = 84) in our Infectious Diseases Unit from April 2021 to December 2023.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Identifying Vital Biomarkers with Greater Precision in Emergency Departments During Emerging Pandemics.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated advances in molecular biology and virology, enabling the identification of key biomarkers to differentiate between severe and mild cases. Furthermore, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to analyze large datasets has been crucial for rapidly identifying relevant biomarkers for disease prognosis, including COVID-19. This approach enhances diagnostics in emergency settings, allowing for more accurate and efficient patient management.

KLRB1 expression in nasopharyngeal mucosa as a prognostic biomarker in COVID-19 patients.

The resurgence of COVID-19 and the rise in severe outcomes emphasize the need for reliable prognostic markers to guide patient care and optimize ICU and hospital resources. This study investigates the potential of nasopharyngeal swabs to identify biomarkers that predict ICU admission or death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We analyzed nasopharyngeal exudates from 95 hospitalized patients in 2020 using high-plex RNA quantification on the NanoString nCounter platform.

Phase 2 Randomised Study of Bulevirtide as Monotherapy or Combined With Peg-IFNα-2a as Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis Delta.

Background And Aim: Bulevirtide (BLV) leads to beneficial virologic and biochemical responses when given alone to treat hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection, which causes the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis. We evaluated 48 weeks of BLV monotherapy, BLV + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and BLV + pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Peg-IFNα-2a), with 24-week follow-up.

Methods: Ninety patients were enrolled into six arms of 15 each (A-F); 60 patients were included in the main randomisation (arms A-D), and 30 patients (arms E-F) were randomised to the extension phase: (A) Peg-IFNα-2a 180 μg once weekly (QW); (B) BLV 2 mg once daily (QD) + Peg-IFNα-2a 180 μg QW; (C) BLV 5 mg QD + Peg-IFNα-2a 180 μg QW; (D) BLV 2 mg QD; (E) BLV 10 mg QD + Peg-IFNα-2a 180 μg QW and (F) BLV 10 mg (5 mg twice daily) + TDF QD.

Cytomegalovirus-associated panenteritis in an immunocompetent 60-year-old woman treated with oral valganciclovir: a case report.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection typically affects immunocompromised individuals. However, CMV-associated enteritis involving the entire small intestine is rare in immunocompetent patients. We report a case of a 60-year-old immunocompetent woman with a history of diabetes mellitus who presented with diarrhea for 3 weeks.

Directed Evolution of AAV9 for Efficient Gene Expression in Cardiomyocytes and .

Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are increasingly used for preclinical and clinical cardiac gene therapy approaches. However, gene transfer to cardiomyocytes poses a challenge due to differences between AAV serotypes in terms of expression efficiency and . For example, AAV9 vectors work well in rodent heart muscle cells but not in cultivated neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVCMs), necessitating the use of AAV6 vectors for studies.

A qualitative study exploring experiences of treatment in paediatric rheumatology - children's, young people's, parents' and carers' perspectives.

Background: There is limited literature in paediatric rheumatology describing holistic lived experiences of medical treatment from perspectives of children and young people (CYP) and their parents or carers (PC). This is important as it could have implications for adherence. This study aimed to explore treatment experiences of CYP and PC in a paediatric rheumatology service.

Persistent symptoms and clinical findings in adults with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19/post-COVID-19 syndrome in the second year after acute infection: A population-based, nested case-control study.

Background: Self-reported health problems following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are common and often include relatively non-specific complaints such as fatigue, exertional dyspnoea, concentration or memory disturbance and sleep problems. The long-term prognosis of such post-acute sequelae of COVID-19/post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) is unknown, and data finding and correlating organ dysfunction and pathology with self-reported symptoms in patients with non-recovery from PCS is scarce. We wanted to describe clinical characteristics and diagnostic findings among patients with PCS persisting for >1 year and assessed risk factors for PCS persistence versus improvement.

Unconventional use of injectable long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine against HIV-1 in PWH in clinical need: 52 weeks real-world data.

Background: Long-acting Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine (LA CAB + RPV) shows potential advantages in heavily comorbid and even in viremic people with HIV (PWH). We assessed LA CAB + RPV durability in a cohort of PWH with a high comorbidity burden and adherence issues.

Methods: Retrospective observational study in two Italian outpatient settings enrolling PWH who switched to LA CAB + RPV from February 2021 to January 2024 in presence of exclusion criteria enlisted in registrational trials or with other worrisome clinical risks.

Impact of high body mass index on hepatocellular carcinoma risk in chronic liver disease: A population-based prospective cohort study.

Background And Aims: We investigated associations between body mass index (BMI) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis B (HBV) C (HCV) virus infection, alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and liver cirrhosis (LC).

Methods: We followed 350,608 Korean patients with liver disease who underwent routine health examinations from 2003-2006 until December 2018 via national hospital discharge records. Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) per 5-kg/m2 BMI increase (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) for HCC risk were calculated using Cox models.

Update on the treatment navigation for functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: expert consensus 2.0.

As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements.

Time to HIV viral rebound and frequency of post-treatment control after analytical interruption of antiretroviral therapy: an individual data-based meta-analysis of 24 prospective studies.

The only current strategy to test efficacy of novel interventions for sustained HIV control without antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people with HIV (PWH) is through an analytical treatment interruption (ATI). Inclusion of 'placebo' controls in ATIs poses ethical, logistical, and economic challenges. To understand viral dynamics and rates of post-treatment control (PTC) after ATI among PWH receiving either placebo or no intervention, we undertook an individual-participant data meta-analysis.

Current methods for detecting and assessing HIV-1 antibody resistance.

Antiretroviral therapy is the standard treatment for HIV, but it requires daily use and can cause side effects. Despite being available for decades, there are still 1.5 million new infections and 700,000 deaths each year, highlighting the need for better therapies.

A prospective observational cohort study of HIV infection in Indonesia: baseline characteristics and one-year mortality.

Introduction: The incidence rate of newly diagnosed HIV infection in Indonesia decreased from 21 per 100,000 in 2011 to 10 per 100,000 in 2021. Despite this progress, AIDS-related deaths among people living with HIV (PLWH) increased from 3.4% in 2010 to 4.

The clinical assessment of lung involvement in patients with Still's disease, results from the multicentre international AIDA Network Still's Disease Registry.

Objectives: To assess the lung involvement in patients with Still's disease, an inflammatory disease assessing both children and adults. To exploit possible associated factors for parenchymal lung involvement in these patients.

Methods: A multicentre observational study was arranged assessing consecutive patients with Still's disease characterized by the lung involvement among those included in the AIDA (AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance) Network Still's Disease Registry.

Histological pattern of non-infectious thoracic aortitis impacts mortality.

Background: Non-infectious aortitis encompasses various histological patterns, but their specific cardiovascular outcomes remain unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the mortality associated with non-infectious surgical thoracic aortitis.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included patients who underwent thoracic aortic surgery and had histological evidence of aortitis.

Functional variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene are associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Background: Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF; a recessive disorder) have an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Evidence suggests individuals with a single CFTR variant may also have increased CRC risk.

Methods: Using population-based studies (GECCO, CORECT, CCFR, and ARIC; 53 785 CRC cases and 58 010 controls), we tested for an association between the most common CFTR variant (Phe508del) and CRC risk.

The mRNA-1647 vaccine: A promising step toward the prevention of cytomegalovirus infection (CMV).

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a leading cause of congenital infections and significant health complications in immunocompromised individuals. With no licensed CMV vaccine available, the development of the mRNA-1647 offers promising advancements in CMV prevention. We have reviewed results from Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of the mRNA-1647 vaccine, demonstrating robust immune responses in both seronegative and seropositive participants.

Neutralizing antibody immune correlates in COVAIL trial recipients of an mRNA second COVID-19 vaccine boost.

Neutralizing antibody titer has been a surrogate endpoint for guiding COVID-19 vaccine approval and use, although the pandemic's evolution and the introduction of variant-adapted vaccine boosters raise questions as to this surrogate's contemporary performance. For 985 recipients of an mRNA second bivalent or monovalent booster containing various Spike inserts [Prototype (Ancestral), Beta, Delta, and/or Omicron BA.1 or BA.

Multifocality increases the risk of central compartment lymph node metastasis but is not related to the risk of recurrence and death in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Multifocality is a distinctive feature of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC); however, the biological behavior of PTC and its optimal management strategy remain unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features and prognostic differences of multifocal papillary carcinoma and to guide the precise treatment of multifocal papillary carcinoma.

Methods: The medical records of 1,139 patients with PTC who had undergone total or hemi-thyroidectomy between April and October 2013 at the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital were reviewed.

Improvement of bone properties in children with osteogenesis imperfecta after pamidronate: a bone biopsy study.

OI, or bone brittle disease, is characterized by increased mineralization of bone matrix independently of clinical severity. So, a beneficial effect of antiresorptive treatments such as bisphosphonates (BP) is questionable. We aim to compare the bone matrix characteristics before and after BP pamidronate (PAM).

DAA-PASS: A Prospective Evaluation of HCC Recurrence After Direct Acting Antiviral Therapy.

Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is associated with a significant reduction in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence among patients with cirrhosis, but data are conflicting about the risk of recurrence following DAA therapy. DAA-PASS was a prospective, pragmatic, observational study designed to estimate the risk of HCC recurrence associated with DAA therapy exposure during routine clinical care. Eligible patients were DAA treatment naive with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A.