Direct-acting antivirals in women of reproductive age infected with hepatitis C virus.

Eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the population of women of reproductive age is important not only for the health of women themselves but also for the health of newborns. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of this goal by analysing the effectiveness of contemporary therapy in a large cohort from everyday clinical practice along with identifying factors reducing therapeutic success. The analysed population consisted of 7861 patients, including 3388 women aged 15-49, treated in 2015-2022 in 26 hepatology centres. Data were collected retrospectively using a nationwide EpiTer-2 database. Females were significantly less often infected with HCV genotype 3 compared to males (11.2% vs. 15.7%) and less frequently showed comorbidities (40.5% vs. 44.2%) and comedications (37.2% vs. 45.2%). Hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, HIV and HBV coinfections were reported significantly less frequently in women. Regardless of the treatment type, females significantly more often reached sustained virologic response (98.8%) compared to males (96.8%). Regardless of gender, genotype 3 and cirrhosis were independent factors increasing the risk of treatment failure. Women more commonly reported adverse events, but death occurred significantly more frequently in men (0.3% vs. 0.1%), usually related to underlying advanced liver disease. We have demonstrated excellent effectiveness and safety profiles for treating HCV infection in women. This gives hope for the micro-elimination of HCV infections in women, translating into a reduced risk of severe disease in both women and their children.

Encephalitis in the Course of HHV-7 Infection in an Infant.

Most cases of acute infections caused by human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) are asymptomatic or very mild. Clinical symptoms disappear spontaneously; however, the infection becomes latent and persists for life with periodic asymptomatic reactivation. Little is known about the virus's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Our case of an immunocompetent infant indicates that HHV-7 infection should be considered a cause of neuroinfection, not only in immunocompromised patients but also in the youngest immunocompetent patients.

Revolutionizing hepatitis C treatment: next-gen direct-acting antivirals.

INTRODUCTION: With the introduction of highly effective and safe therapies with next-generation direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), that act without interferon, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains the only treatable chronic infectious disease. AREAS COVERED: The review aims to provide an overview of the therapy revolution with a description of specific DAAs, their mechanisms of action, a summary of the safety and efficacy of specific regimens, and a discussion of populations requiring special therapeutic approaches. EXPERT OPINION: DAAs are highly effective, safe, and easy to use. However, challenges such as access to health services and loss of patients from the cascade of care, especially in groups disproportionately affected by HCV infection, such as substance abusers, make it difficult to achieve the WHO's goal of HCV elimination. The proposed strategy to combat these difficulties involves a one-step approach to diagnosing and treating the infection, the availability of long-lasting forms of medication, and the development of an effective vaccine. The aforementioned opportunities are all the more important as the world is facing an opioid epidemic that is translating into an increase in HCV prevalence. This phenomenon is of greatest concern in women of childbearing age and in those already pregnant due to treatment limitations.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an insidious pathogen. Most people infected with HCV will develop chronic infections that may not give any symptoms for years or decades but eventually lead to liver disease and liver cancer. It is essential to diagnose infected individuals as soon as possible and start the treatment to increase the elimination of the virus from the organism and prevent harmful long-term effects.Fortunately, these goals are possible nowadays, and this is due to a remarkable example of translational research at work. The discovery of the virus in 1989 (for which Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton, and Charles M. Rice received the Nobel Prize in 2020) was followed by the rapid development of diagnostic tests and later by the introduction of the first interferon therapies, which had numerous shortcomings. The revolution started in 2011 when the first oral drugs that act directly on HCV (direct-acting antivirals, DAAs) were registered. Another giant leap for HCV treatment was made in 2018 when the combinations of DAAs that act on different HCV genotypes were introduced.In this paper, we review in detail the DAAs used to treat HCV infection and explain different combinations in which they can be used while showing their favorable safety profile, short-term and convenient treatment regimen, and impressive effectiveness in clearing HCV infection. Although we believe eliminating HCV is eventually reachable, we also argue that there is room for improvement. HCV testing and DAAs availability must improve in selected groups, including people without health insurance, prisoners, and drug addicts. There are still people living with chronic HCV infection without knowing it. Their identification and start of effective treatment is equal to savings in future medical care related to liver disease and cancer, not to mention benefits from the individual health perspective. In addition, and in line with a popular phrase that prevention is better than cure, it is reasonable to pursue the development of the HCV vaccine, which is currently unavailable. The last word on managing the health burden caused by this pathogen is yet to be said.