Viral hepatitis in practice - 2014


What is the role of direct-acting antivirals in non-1 genotype hepatitis C virus infection?
Benjamin Maasoumy, Christoph Höner zu Siederdissen and Markus Cornberg
pp 1-6
Recently, it has been estimated that more than 185 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Chronic HCV infection has been a major cause of the increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis in industrial countries over the last 30 years.
Comment: Keeping you up to date
Alastair Miller
pp 3-3
I am writing this as the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver closes in London and, once again, we are awash with exciting new data on a plethora of direct-acting antiviral agents for treating hepatitis C virus infection. Agents that were just numbers now have names, trials that were just another acronym are now reporting results and drugs that were in early clinical trials are now being licensed.
What is the latest advice on hepatitis B prophylaxis?
Phillip M Harrison
pp 7-9
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to be a major public health problem and vertical transmission remains the main source of persistent HBV infection, since the risk of developing chronic infection is highest in those who acquire HBV shortly after birth.
Hepatitis B and C prophylaxis in patients receiving chemotherapy
Reina Lim and Andrew Holt
pp 10-13
Reactivation of infection with hepatitis B virus and/or hepatitis C virus is defined as increased viral replication in patients with previously low-grade chronic infection. This may occur following the use of immunomodulatory therapy, chemotherapy or in response to severe illness.
Resources: University of Liverpool, www.hep-druginteractions.org
Sara Gibbons
pp 13-13
The advent, in 2011, of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection means that knowledge of drug–drug interactions – which before 2011 would have been considered a ‘niche’ area for the expert pharmacologist and of little relevance to the treatment of most patients outside the transplant setting – has become a key aspect in the evaluation of patients starting and continuing HCV therapy.
A 47-year-old HCV RNA-positive man who has failed standard treatment: what to do next?
Joe Lewis
pp 14-15
Until recently, the standard of care for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection was pegylated interferon plus ribavirin for 48 weeks. With this regimen, the chance of attaining an undetectable viral load 24 weeks after treatment is complete – known as a sustained viral response after 24 weeks – is 40–50%.

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