Studies have demonstrated that infection with HIV-1 (subtypes) clades might differentially contribute to HIV-1-associated neuro cognitive disorder (HAND). Substance abuse and illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine (METH) are also known to play a role in neuronal impairments. Neurotoxin quinolinic acid (QUIN) and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites are regulators ...

Although antiretrovirals are the mainstay of therapy against HIV infection, neurological complications associated with the virus continue to hamper quality of life of the infected individuals. Adding complexity to this mix is the use of illicit drugs by the infected individuals, which further fuels the epidemic. Epidemiological studies on drug ...

Micro-RNA 122 (miR-122) facilitates hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication by recruiting a RISC-like complex containing Argonaute 2 (Ago2) to the 5' end of the HCV genome, thereby stabilizing the viral RNA. This requires base-pairing between the miR-122 "seed sequence" (nts 2-8) and two sequences near the 5' end of HCV ...

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19: 386-395 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine ABSTRACT: Objectives:  Public health initiatives have lowered human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission risk associated with injection drug use in the United States, making sexual risk behaviors a greater source of transmission. Strategies are therefore needed to ...

BACKGROUND: Up to 17 000 persons in the USA became infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 2007, and many cases have unknown transmission routes. To date research on transmission of HCV via shared implements used to snort or smoke non-injection drugs has been inconclusive. METHODS: We tested stored sera ...

BACKGROUND: Heroin users who do not inject constitute a large pool of drug users with a potentially important impact on public health. We aimed to estimate the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among heroin users who had never injected (NIDUS) at baseline, and the effect of starting injecting during ...

Men who have sex with men (MSM) make up nearly half of all people living with HIV in the United States. The prevalence of the epidemic in this population makes it vitally important to understand the transmission of the infection and to develop methods to prevent its spread. The current ...

HIV facilitates an increase in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated conditions. HIV-positive men living in a substance use context in Los Angeles, USA, were recruited using respondent-driven sampling, completed a questionnaire and had biological samples including an anal HPV swab taken. A total of 316 evaluable men were enrolled in the study. ...

The epidemiology of non-Typhi Salmonella (NTS) bacteremia in Africa will likely evolve as potential co-factors, such as HIV, malaria, and urbanization, also change. As part of population-based surveillance among 55,000 persons in malaria-endemic, rural and malaria-nonendemic, urban Kenya from 2006-2009, blood cultures were obtained from patients presenting to referral clinics ...

We report a case of recurrent deep venous thrombosis in a 44-year-old woman, intravenous drug user and HIV-infected, who injected cocaine in the groins and veins of the dorsum of the feet. She suffered several episodes of deep venous thrombosis and soft-tissue infections in the lower limbs. Images of Doppler ...

Summary.  Prior studies demonstrated that patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection had higher plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, which may indicate the presence of a subclinical cardiac dysfunction. However, there are few data regarding the echocardiographic assessment in HCV-infected patients. The objectives of this study were to ...

Summary.  Mutations in two regions of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been implicated in influencing response to interferon (IFN) therapy. Substitutions in the NS5A region of HCV have been associated with response to IFN therapy, and this region has been known as the IFN sensitivity-determining region (ISDR). The mutations in ...

Summary.  Better convenience and tolerability and sustained therapeutic concentrations might improve interferon (IFN) treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In an open-label, randomized study, controlled release free (chemically unmodified) recombinant human IFN-α(2b) in poly(ether-ester) microspheres (CR-rhIFN-α(2b) ), was injected at doses of 160, 320, 480 or 640 μg every ...

HIV type 1 infection is associated with a rapid depletion of Th17 cells from the GALT. The chemokine receptor CCR6 is a marker for Th17 lineage polarization and HIV permissiveness in memory CD4(+) T cells. CCR6(+) T cells have the potential to migrate into the GALT via the gut-homing integrin ...

Therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is on the cusp of a new era. Until now, standard-of-care therapy has involved interferon (IFN) and ribavirin. With the first successful Phase III trials of specific targeted antiviral therapy for HCV (STAT-C) compounds, as well as three trials in progress giving the ...

Hyaluronan, leptin, laminin and collagen IV have been used extensively for the assessment of liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to assay these markers in the peripheral and hepatic vein blood of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) patients and to study their ability to discriminate early from advanced disease. ...

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects an estimated 3% of the world's population. The natural outcome of infection and the natural course of disease are highly variable. Sensing of viral single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) by Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) is likely involved in early pathogen detection and host response to viral ...

Type 1 interferons (IFNs) induce the expression of the tripartite interaction motif (TRIM) family of E3 ligases, but the contribution of these antiviral factors to HIV pathogenesis is not completely understood. We hypothesized that the increased expression of select type 1 IFN and TRIM isoforms is associated with a significantly ...

Hepatitis A and hepatitis C viruses (HAV and HCV) are both positive-strand ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses with hepatotropic lifestyles. Despite several important differences, they share many biological and molecular features and similar genome replication schemes. Despite this, HAV infections are usually effectively controlled by the host with elimination of the ...

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading indication for liver transplantation and a major cause of graft failure. This study investigated whether cyclosporin A (CsA), a widely used immunosuppressant for organ transplantation, inhibits full cycle HCV replication and restores type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway in human hepatocytes. CsA ...

Studies on patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) of genotype 1b have suggested that amino acids (aa) 70 and/or 91 of the HCV core protein affect the outcome of interferon (IFN)-α and ribavirin (RBV) therapy, although there are no clear supporting data in vitro. This study was designed to determine ...

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels may reflect the immunomodulatory efficacy of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN). We investigated within a large randomized trial whether quantitative HBsAg levels predict response to PEG-IFN in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B. Serum HBsAg was measured in samples taken at ...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interferon (IFN) can eradicate hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA from serum and hepatic tissue, and suppress the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite such effectiveness, HCC develops even in HCV patients successfully treated with IFN therapy. METHODS: HCV-related HCC patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for HCC were divided ...

As combination therapy with peginterferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin has a high morbidity, identifying individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who will not respond to the treatment would be beneficial. The early responses of serum HCV RNA levels to standard interferon (IFN) and PEG-IFN were examined to determine if it was ...

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) establishes chronic infection in a significant number of infected humans, although the mechanisms for chronicity remain largely unknown. We have previously shown that HCV infection in immortalized human hepatocytes (IHH) induces beta interferon (IFN-β) expression (T. Kanda, R. Steele, R. Ray, and R. B. Ray, J. ...

Aim:  We evaluated the adverse effects and efficacy associated with interferon-β (IFN-β) for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 20 hemodialyzed (HD) patients. Methods:  IFN-β was administrated at a dose of 3 MIU three times a week for 24 weeks simultaneously at the time of HD for the patients ...

ISG15 is a ubiquitin-like molecule whose expression is induced by type I IFN (IFN-α/β) or in response to virus or bacterial infection. ISG15 or conjugation of ISG15 to target proteins was reported to play critical roles in the regulation of antiviral responses. IFN restricts replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV). ...

The long-term benefit of interferon-alfa (IFN-α) treatment in preventing various hepatic complications is not certain. To study the effects of IFN-α on reducing the risk of developing overall hepatic events (hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhotic complications and liver-related mortality) in chronic hepatitis B patients. Randomized controlled trials, case-control studies and cohort studies ...

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in patients with renal failure. Toxicity of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin limit options; hence the ideal approach for therapy in these patients deserves attention. We report the results of kidney transplantation (KTx) candidates infected with HCV treated with ...

We have previously shown that vaccination with a recombinant fowlpox virus carrying the genes for HIV Gag-Pol and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was associated with partial control of HIV replication after antiretroviral therapy (ART) was ceased but not with increased anti-HIV T-cell responses. Because IFN-gamma enhances IgG2 production, and IgG2 antibodies to ...

To quantify serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in HIV/HCV coinfected patients to examine their association with several clinical and epidemiological characteristics and the therapeutic responsiveness to interferon (IFN)-alpha and ribavirin therapy (IFN-alpha + RBV). Retrospective study. We carried out a cross-sectional study ...

Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver disease frequently undergo orthotopic liver transplantation, but recurrent hepatitis C is still a major cause of morbidity. Patients are treated with peg-interferon and ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV), which has substantial side effects and is costly. We investigated genetic factors of host, liver donor, and virus ...

Current treatment of chronic hepatitis C consists of pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN-alpha) in combination with ribavirin. This regimen is associated with adverse effects that can limit its use. PEG-IFN-lambda 1 (pegIFNlambda) is a novel IFN that shares many of the biological effects of IFN-alpha but may have fewer side effects due ...

Pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) has been recommended as a first-line therapy for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B; however, data supporting this recommendation are derived from a single randomized controlled trial. In this issue of the Journal, Rijckborst et al. report the results of a second randomized controlled ...

Non-response to combination therapy by patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) has previously been associated with a strong hepatic upregulation of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) including ISG15. Therefore, the aim of this study was to further elucidate the functional role of this molecule. ISG15 expression was suppressed by siRNAs or ...

Many patients with chronic hepatitis C do not respond to antiviral treatment. In adult patients the re-treatment of these patients has been extensively investigated. Because the response to re-treatment in children is not well defined we evaluated the efficacy and safety of interferon (IFN)-alpha plus ribavirin in patients who have ...

Early alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) therapy against hepatitis C virus (HCV) rescues polyfunctional, virus-specific memory CD8(+) T cells, but whether immune restoration is possible during late therapy remains controversial. We compared immune restoration of HCV-specific memory T cells in patients who cleared HCV infection spontaneously and following early or late IFN ...

More than 180 million people worldwide have chronic hepatitis C (CHC) virus infection, a major cause of liver cirrhosis and its life-threatening complications including liver failure, portal hypertension, and hepatocellular carcinoma. With the current standard of care of pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin (PEG-IFN-alpha/RBV), the chances of sustained viral clearance or ...

Chronic infection with HCV has an estimated prevalence of 1.6-2.0% worldwide and is a major cause of liver-related death. The first attempts to halt the progression of infection relied on the empirical use of interferon (IFN), a naturally occurring cytokine that is implicated in antiviral innate immunity. The first studies ...

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and the long-term outcome of chronic hepatitis C in a cohort of Caucasian children cured of pediatric malignancy. PROCEDURE: The study population included 83 consecutive patients, referred to our Center with a diagnosis of leukemia/lymphoma (50) or solid ...

The critical events in clearance or persistence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are unknown but likely to be determined early in acute infection. Type 1 and type 2 cytokine production was assessed by HCV peptide ELISpot and multiplex in vitro cytokine production assays in longitudinally collected samples from 20 ...

Pegylated interferons (Peg-IFNs) with ribavirin represent the standard treatment in chronic C viral hepatitis in Romania. Primary aim was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Peg-IFN alpha-2a plus ribavirin versus IFN alpha-2b plus ribavirin in genotype-1 patients in Romanian setting. The second end point was to make an indirect comparison of ...

Thyroid disorders are common dysfunctions during HCV infection and IFN-therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the general risk of thyroid disorders' development in chronic HCV-infected patients and their possible relationship with HCV genotype, type of used IFN-alpha and viral response. A study was performed in 89 patients ...

A randomized, controlled clinical trial was started in the pre-HAART era to compare the efficacy of zidovudine (AZT) and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) either alone or in combination to reduce HIV viremia, maintain CD4(+) cell count, and decrease time to AIDS progression and death. The purpose of the current study was to ...

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We prospectively compared the sensitivity to interferon (IFN) and the efficacy of antiviral combination therapy with peginterferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b infection according to the amino acid sequences of the HCV core, E1, and NS5A regions reported to be associated ...

Interleukin (IL)-27 is a member of IL-12 family cytokine. We have previously reported that IL-27 inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) replication in CD4(+) T cells and monocyte-derived macrophages, even though IL-12 enhances HIV-1 replication in primary CD4(+) T cells. Further study demonstrates that IL-27 induces antiviral genes including RNA-dependent ...

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is still a major global health issue despite decades of research. The liver-specific microRNA-122 (miR-122) can stimulate HCV replication/translation in vitro, indicating that miR-122 contributes to pathogenesis of HCV. However, it remains controversial whether interferon (IFN) inhibits HCV via modulating miR-122 expression. The underlying mechanism ...

Recently, genetic polymorphisms occurring in the interferon (IFN)-lambda gene region were associated with response to IFN-based treatment of hepatitis C infection. Both infection with the hepatitis C virus and IFN therapy are associated with decreased serum cholesterol and high cholesterol has been associated with increased likelihood to respond to IFN. ...

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of pegylated-interferon-alpha-2a (PEG-IFN) have not been described in HCV/HIV co-infected patients. We sought to estimate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of PEG-IFN and determine whether these parameters predict treatment outcome. Twenty-six HCV/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-co-infected patients were treated with a 48-week regimen of PEG-IFN (180 microg/week) plus ...

A 67-year-old, hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive woman was admitted to our hospital because of proteinuria and leg edema. Laboratory examination showed decreased serum albumin and complement activity and positive cryoglobulin. The HCV RNA genotype was 1b with high viral load. Kidney biopsy showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) with capillary deposition of ...