Potential role for interleukin-28B genotype in treatment decision-making in recent hepatitis C virus infection.

Unlabelled: Polymorphisms in the IL28B (interleukin-28B) gene region are important in predicting outcome following therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We evaluated the role of IL28B in spontaneous and treatment-induced clearance following recent HCV infection. The Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C (ATAHC) was a study of the natural history and treatment of recent HCV, as defined by positive anti-HCV antibody, preceded by either acute clinical HCV infection within the prior 12 months or seroconversion within the prior 24 months.

Epidemiology of primary HIV-1 infection.

Purpose Of Review: To review recent studies reporting epidemiological and public health aspects of primary and recently acquired HIV infection, with a particular emphasis on patterns of occurrence, relationship to onward transmission, diagnostic strategies and risk factors.

Recent Findings: Diagnosis of primary HIV infection remains a relatively infrequent occurrence. Clinical and demographic characteristics may be helpful indicators to guide the decision to offer testing.

Impact of drug classes and treatment availability on the rate of antiretroviral treatment change in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD).

Background: It is critical to understand the pattern of antiretroviral treatment (ART) prescription in different regions of the world as ART procurement needs to be anticipated. We aimed at exploring rates and predictors of ART combination changes in clinical practice in Treat Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD).

Methods: Rates of ART changes were examined in patients who started first line triple or more ART combination in TAHOD, and had at least one follow-up visit.

Therapeutic vaccination against HIV: current progress and future possibilities.

Although effective in reducing mortality, current antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection involves complex and expensive drug regimens that are toxic and difficult to take. Eradication of HIV reservoirs is not possible with existing therapies. The concept of therapeutic vaccination has been investigated to increase the potency and breadth of anti-HIV immune responses in order to delay or reduce antiretroviral therapy use.

HIV and hepatitis C coinfection within the CAESAR study.

The declining incidence of AIDS-related opportunistic diseases among people with HIV infection has shifted the focus of clinical management to prevention and treatment of comorbidities such as chronic liver disease. The increased risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related advanced liver disease in people with HIV infection makes early HCV diagnosis a priority. To assess HCV prevalence and predictors of HIV/HCV coinfection, we have conducted a retrospective analysis of people enrolled in the CAESAR (Canada, Australia, Europe, South Africa) study, a multinational randomized placebo-controlled study of the addition of lamivudine to background antiretroviral therapy.