Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program Newsletter
October 2005
In The News
Hepatitis C Infection Associated With Type 2 Diabetes
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/515409?src=hp20.news
“There appears to be a connection between non-cirrhotic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and type 2 diabetes, Italian researchers report in the October issue of Diabetes Care.”
http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/110205hepc.cfm
“The Alliance and other public health groups are teaming up to hold the third annual Hepatitis C Summit in in Los Angeles on November 17. The summit will provide a forum for education and discussion among local elected and appointed officials, community-based organizations, medical experts and consumers on the emerging hepatitis C epidemic and the impact of the disease on infected individuals and at-risk populations in Los Angeles County.”
http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=1090901XSL_NEWSML_TO_NEWSML_WEB.xml
“The Healthcare Advocacy and Research Collaboration Project (HARCP), a non-profit organization, and The Bruckner Group, are pleased to announce the Hepatitis C Leadership Summit (HCVLS), a private meeting taking place October 29-30 in Boston.”
Hepatitis C complicated by morphine withdrawal
http://www.xagena.it/news/medicinenews_net_news/35e2dcdbea1950a7a290dd0c282da0a0.html
“Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have demonstrated that Morphine withdrawal complicates hepatitis C by suppressing IFN-alpha-mediated immunity and enhancing virus replication.”
Punk Rock Unites For Hepatitis C Awareness
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2005/10/emw294857.htm
“In 2004, a national coalition of musicians was formed by singer Kelly Zirbes to help raise awareness about Hepatitis C. After many years of educating others about Hep C, Kelly and her band, Kelly's Lot, decided to invite other bands to join them in their cause. This coalition of musicians distributes postcards…”
Genital tract a 'sanctuary site' for hepatitis C virus in coinfected HIV-positive women
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/1D230787-92CE-4CBA-900D-E9610838268A.asp
“Hepatitis C virus (HCV) appears to be compartmentalised in the genital tract of women coinfected with HIV, and may replicate independently, according to a study from the United States and Poland published in the November 1st issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases, now available online.”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20051017-13334300-bc-japan-hepatitisc.xml
“A Japanese research team says it has found a method that prevents the hepatitis-C virus from multiplying.”
http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/101305hepc.cfm
“Although the words hepatitis or liver do not appear in the organization's name, the Drug Policy Alliance has emerged as one of the leading hepatitis C virus prevention and treatment advocates in the United States. Syringe sharing is the leading cause of hepatitis C in the U.S. today, and most medical experts agree that access to clean syringes…”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051021021407.htm
“Research in a rural province of central China has documented that illegal blood donation practices led to high hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rates in blood and plasma donors during the 1980s and early 1990s, and that failure to screen for HCV in transfusion recipients increased their risk of infection as well, according to an article in the November 15 issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases, now available online.”
MultiCell and Thomas Jefferson University to study potential Hepatitis C treatment
http://www.masshightech.com/displayarticledetail.asp?Art_ID=70041
“MultiCell Technologies Inc. has entered into a research collaboration with Thomas Jefferson University, a medical and health sciences university in Philadelphia, to evaluate the company’s immortalized human liver cells as model systems to identify new drugs to treat hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection.”
Artist Takes on New Role as Hepatitis C Spokesperson
http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_127/artisttakeson.html
“Penny Arcade is accustomed to being noticed. The 55-year-old performance artist has been a poster child for the East Village avant-garde art scene since Andy Warhol roamed the city. In recent years she’s become a vocal proponent for artists living in this increasingly gentrified neighborhood. So when she was diagnosed with hepatitis C two-and-a-half years ago…”
Hepatitis C Found More Frequently in Semen of Men Coinfected with HIV/HCV
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/news/66CC79E7-7D38-4DE3-B27F-05FB368E5690.asp
“Hepatitis C virus is found significantly more frequently in the semen of men who are coinfected with HIV than in the semen of men who are only infected with hepatitis C (HCV), according to research published in the November 4th edition of AIDS.”
Liver transplantation due to Hepatitis C: alpha-SMA, a biomarker, predicts recurrence of disease
http://www.xagena.it/news/medicinenews_net_news/8caa4453ee0a54b9cc35641a1044b3ca.html
“Two studies on hepatitis C (HCV) patients who underwent liver transplants examined a potential biomarker that could be used to predict who might develop hepatic fibrosis, a formation of scar-like tissue that can lead to cirrhosis.”
Survey indicates lack of public awareness Hepatitis C
http://www.clickpress.com/releases/Detailed/4555005cp.shtml
“The survey, conducted by SYNOVATE research, studied the behavior of a varied group of UAE nationals and citizens. A well balanced mix of 330 Emiratis, Arab and Asian ex-pats coming from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain were involved. The conclusions of the survey highlight the lack of awareness on how Hepatitis C is transmitted, the consequences of the disease and possible treatment of it.”
Clinical Trials, Cohort Studies, and Pilot Studies
Risk factors for perinatal transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the natural history of HCV infection acquired in infancy. Mast EE, Hwang LY, Seto DS, Nolte FS, Nainan OV, Wurtzel H, Alter MJ. J Infect Dis. 2005 Dec 1;192(11):1880-9. Epub 2005 Oct 28.
A Significant Sex--but Not Elective Cesarean Section--Effect on Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus Infection. European Paediatric Hepatitis C Virus Network. J Infect Dis. 2005 Dec 1;192(11):1872-1879. Epub 2005 Oct 28.
Interferon-induced
depression and cognitive impairment in hepatitis C virus patients: a 72 week
prospective study. Reichenberg A, Gorman JM, Dieterich DT. AIDS. 2005 Oct;19 Suppl
3:S174-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16251815&query_hl=2
Cognitive function in
hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis enrolled in the HALT-C trial.
Fontana RJ, et al. J Hepatol. 2005
Oct;43(4):614-22.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16237784&query_hl=2
Ribavirin monotherapy for
chronic hepatitis C. Brok J, Gluud L, Gluud C. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Oct
19;4:CD005527.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16235408&query_hl=2
FAS promoter polymorphisms correlate with activity grade in hepatitis C patients. McIlroy D, et al.
Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol.
2005 Oct;17(10):1081-8
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16148554&query_hl=3
The spectrum of thyroid
dysfunction in an Australian hepatitis C population treated with combination
Interferon-alpha2beta and Ribavirin. Tran HA, Jones TL, Batey RG. BMC Endocr Disord. 2005 Oct 12;5:8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16219106&query_hl=3
Correlates of spontaneous
clearance of hepatitis C virus among people with hemophilia. Zhang M, et al. Blood. 2005 Oct 4; [Epub ahead
of print]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16204310&query_hl=3
The impact of past alcohol
use on treatment response rates in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Chang A, Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2005 Oct
15;22(8):701-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16197490&query_hl=3
Chronic hepatitis C in
Latinos: natural history, treatment eligibility, acceptance, and outcomes.
Cheung RC, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005
Oct;100(10):2186-93..
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16181367&query_hl=3
Risk factors for hepatitis
C on the Texas-Mexico border. Hand WL, Vasquez Y. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005 Oct;100(10):2180-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16181366&query_hl=3
Antiviral therapy after
non-surgical tumor ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
associated with hepatitis C virus. Hung CH, et al. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005
Oct;20(10):1553-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16174073&query_hl=3
Alcohol has no effect on
hepatitis C virus replication: a meta-analysis. Anand BS, Thornby J. Gut. 2005 Oct;54(10):1468-72.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16162952&query_hl=3
Mutagenic effects of
ribavirin and response to interferon/ribavirin combination therapy in chronic
hepatitis C. Asahina Y, et al. J Hepatol. 2005
Oct;43(4):623-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16098627&query_hl=4
Hepascore: an accurate validated predictor of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C infection. Adams LA, et al. Clin Chem. 2005 Oct;51(10):1867-73. Epub 2005 Jul 28.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16055434&query_hl=4
Relative impact of fatigue
and subclinical cognitive brain dysfunction on health-related quality of life
in chronic hepatitis C infection. Kramer L, et al. AIDS. 2005 Oct;19 Suppl 3:S85-92.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16251834&query_hl=2
Relationship between iron
replacement and hepatic functions in hepatitis C virus-positive chronic
haemodialysis patients. Ozdemir A, et al. Nephrology (Carlton). 2005 Oct;10(5):433-437.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16221090&query_hl=3
Percentage of hepatitis C virus-infected hepatocytes is a better predictor of response than serum viremia levels. Rodriguez-Inigo E, et al. J Mol Diagn. 2005 Oct;7(4):535-43.
Basic and Applied Science, Pre-Clinical Studies
The modeled structure of the RNA dependent RNA polymerase of GBV-C Virus suggests a role for motif E in Flaviviridae RNA polymerases. Ferron F, BMC Bioinformatics. 2005 Oct 14;6(1):255 [Epub ahead of print]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16225688&query_hl=3
Undetectable phospho-STAT1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis C who do not respond to interferon-alpha therapy. Aceti A, et al. Liver Int. 2005 Oct;25(5):987-93.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16162158&query_hl=3
Minimal T-cell-stimulatory
sequences and spectrum of HLA restriction of immunodominant CD4+ T-cell
epitopes within hepatitis C virus NS3 and NS4 proteins. Gerlach JT, et al. J Virol. 2005
Oct;79(19):12425-33.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16160170&query_hl=3
The role of the tumor
necrosis factor (TNF)--Fas L and HCV in the development of hepatocellular
carcinoma. Nada O, et al. J Clin Virol. 2005
Oct;34(2):140-6.Department of Pathology, Ain Shams University, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16157266&query_hl=3
Analysis of the
Mononuclear Inflammatory Cell Infiltrate in the Cirrhotic, Dysplastic Nodules
and Hepatocellular Carcinomas in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection. Hussein MR, Ahmed RA. Cancer Biol Ther. 2005 Oct 3;4(10)
[Epub ahead of print]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16123584&query_hl=4
Deficient Stat3 DNA-binding is associated with high Pias3 expression and a positive anti-apoptotic balance in human end-stage alcoholic and hepatitis C cirrhosis. Starkel P, et al. J J Hepatol. 2005 Oct;43(4):687-95.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16098628&query_hl=4.
Intrahepatic CD8+ T-cell failure during chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Spangenberg HC, et al. Hepatology. 2005 Oct;42(4):828-37.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16175596&query_hl=3
Host immune responses in
hepatitis C virus clearance. Barrett S, Sweeney M, Crowe J. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005
Oct;17(10):1089-97.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16148555&query_hl=3
Involvement of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptors in viral hepatic diseases. Saitou Y, et al. Hum Pathol. 2005 Oct;36(10):1066-73.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16226105&query_hl=3
Deficient Stat3 DNA-binding is associated with high Pias3 expression and a positive anti-apoptotic balance in human end-stage alcoholic and hepatitis C cirrhosis. Starkel P, et al. J Hepatol. 2005 Oct;43(4):687-95.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16098628&query_hl=4
Hepatitis C Virus Nonstructural Protein 5A (NS5A) Is an RNA-binding Protein. Huang L, et al. J Biol Chem. 2005 Oct 28;280(43):36417-28. Epub 2005 Aug 25.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16126720&query_hl=4
Interferon resistance of
hepatitis C virus replicon-harbouring cells is caused by functional disruption
of type I interferon receptors. Naka K, et al. J Gen Virol. 2005 Oct;86(Pt
10):2787-92.Department of Molecular http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16186233&query_hl=3
HIV/HCV Coinfection
Relative prevalence of comorbidities and treatment contraindications in HIV-mono-infected and HIV/HCV-co-infected veterans. Goulet JL, Fultz SL, McGinnis KA, Justice AC. AIDS. 2005 Oct;19 Suppl 3:S99-S105.
HIV, hepatitis C and
HIV/hepatitis C virus co-infection in vulnerable populations.
Backus LI, Boothroyd D, Deyton LR. AIDS. 2005 Oct;19 Suppl 3:S13-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16251809&query_hl=2
Neuropsychological
functioning in a cohort of HIV- and hepatitis C virus-infected women. Richardson JL, AIDS. 2005 Oct 14;19(15):1659-1667.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16184036&query_hl=3
Failure of Hepatitis C Therapy in HIV-Coinfected Drug Users Is Not Due to a Shift in Hepatitis C Virus Genotype. Soriano V, et al. J Infect Dis. 2005 Oct 1;192(7):1245-8. Epub 2005 Aug 24
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16136468&query_hl=4
Shared alterations in NK
cell frequency, phenotype, and function in chronic human immunodeficiency virus
and hepatitis C virus infections. Meier UC, et al. J Virol. 2005
Oct;79(19):12365-74.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16160163&query_hl=3
Detection of HCV and HIV-1 antibody negative infections in Scottish and Northern Ireland blood donations by nucleic acid amplification testing. Jarvis LM, et al. Vox Sang. 2005 Oct;89(3):128-34.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16146504&query_hl=3
Liver injury and changes in hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA load associated with protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy for treatment-naive HCV-HIV-coinfected patients: lopinavir-ritonavir versus nelfinavir. Sherman KE, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Oct 15;41(8):1186-95. Epub 2005 Sep 13.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16163639&query_hl=3
Management and treatment
of hepatitis C virus infection in HIV-infected adults: recommendations from the
Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Resource Center Program and National Hepatitis C Program
Office. Tien PC. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005
Oct;100(10):2338-54.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16181388&query_hl=3
The influence of hepatitis
C virus-human immunodeficiency virus co-infection on the appearance of liver
enzyme elevation in people on high activity antiretroviral treatment. Olalla J, et al. Eur J Intern Med. 2005
Oct;16(6):405-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16198898&query_hl=3
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Herbal medicines for liver
diseases. Dhiman RK, Chawla YK. Dig Dis Sci. 2005
Oct;50(10):1807-12.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16187178&query_hl=3
Miscellaneous Works
Differential display analysis of gene expression in brains from hepatitis C-infected patients. Adair DM, et al. AIDS. 2005 Oct;19 Suppl 3:S145-50.
Risk factors for hepatitis
C virus transmission to health care workers after occupational exposure: a
European case-control study. Yazdanpanah Y, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2005
Nov 15;41(10):1423-30. Epub 2005 Oct 6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16231252&query_hl=2
Rapid genotyping of hepatitis C virus by primer-specific extension analysis. Antonishyn NA, et al.
J Clin Microbiol. 2005
Oct;43(10):5158-63.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16207978&query_hl=3
Prevalence of selected viral infections among temporarily deferred donors who returned to donate blood: American Red Cross blood donor study. Zou S, et al. Transfusion. 2005 Oct;45(10):1593-600.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16181210&query_hl=3
Hepatitis C identification
and management by family physicians. Clark EC, et al. Fam Med. 2005
Oct;37(9):644-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16193428&query_hl=3
Health indicators among
low income women who report a history of sex work: the population based Northern California Young Women's Survey. Cohan DL, et al. Sex Transm Infect. 2005
Oct;81(5):428-33..
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16199746&query_hl=3
Prevalence and correlates
of hepatitis C infection among users of North America's first medically
supervised safer injection facility. Wood E, et al. Public Health. 2005 Oct 6;
[Epub ahead of print]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16214189&query_hl=3
High rates of uninsured
among HCV-positive individuals. Ong JP, J Clin Gastroenterol. 2005
Oct;39(9):826-30.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16145347&query_hl=3
Tracing the evolution of hepatitis C virus in the United States, Japan, and
Egypt by using the molecular clock. Mizokami M, Tanaka Y. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005
Oct;3(10 Suppl 2):S82-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16234067&query_hl=2
Genotyping of hepatitis C
virus by Taqman real-time PCR. Lindh M, Hannoun C. J Clin Virol. 2005
Oct;34(2):108-14.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16157261&query_hl=3
Cost-efficacy analysis of
peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin compared with peginterferon alfa-2a plus
ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Malone DC, Tran TT, Poordad FF. J Manag Care Pharm. 2005
Oct;11(8):687-94.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16194133&query_hl=3