scholarly journals 2898. Achieving Hepatitis C SVR12 of 95% in Mono-Infected Patients with Severe Comorbidities Using Volunteer Staff and Minimal Clinic Visits and Phlebotomy

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S82-S82
Author(s):  
Charles M van der Horst ◽  
Gary Greenberg ◽  
Erin Kirchgessner ◽  
Amanda Vaughn ◽  
Edie Alfano-Sobsey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Wake County ◽  
Direct Acting ◽  
Hcv Testing ◽  
Clinic Visits

Abstract Background HCV is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States with an estimated 3.5 million infected. With direct-acting antivirals, cure can be achieved in 8 to 12 weeks. To achieve WHO elimination targets by 2030 (>90% reduction in incidence) requires increased detection, access to care, and simpler treatment protocols that patients, challenged by substance use and mental health disorders, can readily complete. Methods In 2016, Wake County, NC began HCV testing at 32 sites finding prevalence >10% at 5 shelters and drug treatment centers. An adapted simplified HCV treatment protocol, used in the high prevalence settings of Ukraine and Burma, was implemented at the Open Door Clinic – a free clinic for uninsured persons living in poverty in Wake County. After initially using genotype-specific therapy, we switched to pan-genotypic sofosbuvir/velapatisvir (SOF/VEL) for 12 weeks. Clinic visits were limited to pre-treatment and 12 weeks after treatment completion. Patients were contacted weekly via text to check on their health and adherence. Results Thirty HCV mono-infected patients have initiated treatment including 9 women. 21 were infected by IDU, 5 by transfusion, 3 by sex with an infected partner, and 5 have unknown risk. In genotype (GT) testing 22 have GT1, 3 GT 2, and 4 GT3. Major comorbidities include 24 with current or recent IDU, alcohol dependency, psychotic depression or schizophrenia, or missing all medical appointments other than the HCV. Twenty-seven of 30 have completed their prescribed course of HCV therapy and 20 have achieved an SVR at 12 weeks. The 1 patient who failed was admitted to the hospital 4 times in the first 6 weeks of treatment and did not take his medication consistently. An additional 2 remain on treatment and 6 are awaiting results of testing done at 12 weeks post-therapy completion. One patient died within 2 weeks of initiating therapy due to a perforated duodenal ulcer. Conclusion Using targeted on-site HCV testing, we identified high prevalence sites. Implementing a simplified HCV treatment program reduces patient and clinic burden and resulted in 95% achieving SVR12 despite severe comorbidities. Expansion of this program to other clinics in Wake County is underway. Disclosures All Authors: No reported Disclosures.

scholarly journals The Impact of Direct-Acting Antivirals in the Hepatitis C-Sustained Viral Response in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients With Ongoing Barriers to Care

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward R. Cachay ◽  
David Wyles ◽  
Lucas Hill ◽  
Craig Ballard ◽  
Francesca Torriani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Barriers To Care ◽  
Sustained Viral Response ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Direct Acting Antivirals ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Viral Response ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Direct Acting

Abstract Background.  Access to hepatitis C virus (HCV) medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with ongoing barriers to care is restricted by healthcare payers in the absence of HCV treatment outcomes data in the era of direct-acting antivirals (DAA). Methods.  Retrospective analysis of HCV treatment outcomes using interferon (IFN)-free DAA regimens and an inclusive treatment protocol in an urban HIV clinic where ongoing barriers to care (drug or alcohol use, psychiatric disease, and/or unstable housing) are common. Then, using logistic regression analysis, we compared the proportion of HIV-infected patients who achieved HCV sustained viral response (SVR) in the pegylated-IFN plus ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV, 2008–2011), pegylated-IFN plus ribavirin and telaprevir (PEG-IFN/RBV/PI, 2011–2013), and IFN-free DAA therapy eras (2014). Results are displayed using forest plots. Results.  The proportion of patients who achieved HCV SVR in the PEG-IFN/RBV, PEG-IFN/RBV/PI, and IFN-free DAA therapy eras increased from 38.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.2–53.7) and 48% (95% CI, 28.4–67.6) to 83.3% (95% CI, 70.0–96.7), respectively. Similar proportions of patients with ongoing barriers to care were treated during the PEG-IFN/RBV (25 of 39 [64%]), PEG-IFN/RBV/PI (14 of 25 [56%]), and IFN-free DAA (16 of 30 [53%]) eras. Hepatitis C virus SVR among patients with ongoing barriers to care improved from 40% (95% CI, 21–59) to 76.5% (95% CI, 56–97) in the PEG-IFN/RBV and IFN-free DAA eras, respectively. After stratification for factors associated with HCV SVR such as HCV genotype and cirrhosis, HCV SVR were similar in patients regardless of the presence of ongoing barriers to care. Conclusions.  Using IFN-free DAA and an inclusive HCV treatment protocol, 76.5% of HIV/HCV-treated patients with ongoing barriers to care achieved HCV SVR.

scholarly journals Treatment difficulties in salivary gland cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (34) ◽  
pp. 83-89
Author(s):  
Elena Patrascu ◽  
Violeta Melinte ◽  
Carmen Paraschiv-Ferariu ◽  
Codrut Sarafoleanu
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Gland ◽  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Treatment Protocol ◽  
Current Therapy ◽  
Salivary Gland Cancer ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Heterogeneous Distribution ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Few Data

Abstract Salivary gland cancers are represented by a heterogeneous histologic group of tumors, with low incidence, which may appear both in major and minor salivary glands. This article presents a review of the difficulties which may be encountered in this pathology during the treatment. The diagnosis of salivary gland cancers is often delayed, due to the histopathologic and immunohistochemistry results given in different period of times. There can be several difficulties in following the oncologic pre-treatment protocols, in terms of imaging technique, as MRI, useful for disease staging. The treatment of salivary gland cancers is complex, due to the local anatomy and their aggressive potential. Because of their decreased incidence, there are few data that investigate the treatment in the case of these diseases. The current therapy available for the patients with salivary gland cancers is represented by complete surgical resection. Several treatment difficulties in cancers of the salivary glands may come from the surgical limitations and the insufficient data for adjuvant and palliative treatment. Due to the limitations of the local health system, there is a heterogeneous distribution of the oncologic centers, lack of equipment, prolonged time to follow general protocols, despite the aspect of case-individualized therapy according to the guidelines. We must not forget the tumor behaviour and individual reactivity of different patients to the same treatment protocol.

scholarly journals 1272. A Routine, HIV and HCV Testing and Treatment Program in a Large, Multi-Campus Emergency Department Finds High Prevalence of Acute HIV and Chronic Hepatitis C

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S387-S388
Author(s):  
Ryan Anson ◽  
Christopher Hall ◽  
Erica Ivans ◽  
Kara Vassily ◽  
Annette Shaieb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Younger Patients ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Grant Recipient ◽  
Acute Hiv ◽  
Chronic Hcv ◽  
Hcv Testing

Abstract Background One in seven people living with HIV in the United States are unaware of their serostatus. Approximately 11,280 annual HIV infections (30.2%) are caused by this subset of individuals (CDC, 2017). In addition, acute HCV infections have nearly tripled since 2011, with many states seeing a dramatic increase in incidence among younger people outside the birth cohort (CDC, 2017). Because many individuals still use emergency departments (EDs) for their healthcare needs, these institutions play an increasingly important role in screening patients for HIV and HCV and linking them to medical services. Routine, opt-out testing initiatives are particularly effective at identifying new cases of HIV and HCV that could have otherwise been missed by a risk-based approach to screening. Methods In early May 2017, physicians and advanced practice nurses from Sutter Health’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center (ABSMC) and a nearby outpatient HIV clinic implemented a routine HIV and HCV screening program at the hospital’s large, two-campus ED system in Oakland, CA. ED medical directors created a Nursing Standardized Procedure (NSP) to allow registered nurses (RNs) to independently order both blood tests using an automated, best practice authority (BPA) screen in the electronic health record (EHR) of any patient who met CDC-defined age criteria for testing. Results Of the 6,315 people screened for HIV between May 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018, 43 (0.7%) patients tested positive. Twelve (57%) of the 21 patients found to have a new HIV diagnosis also had symptomatic, acute HIV infection (AHI). All 12 patients with AHI initiated anti-retroviral therapy (ART) within five to 96 hours of their preliminary positive test result. Of the 5,820 patients screened for HCV, 424 (7.3%) were anti-HCV positive, while 185 (3.2%) patients had chronic infection. Thirty-nine percent of chronic HCV cases were among younger patients born before 1965. All patients with HIV or chronic HCV were referred to medical care at East Bay Advanced Care (EBAC). Conclusion An automated, routine HIV-HCV testing program integrated into standard nursing workflow at a community ED resulted in the timely screening, diagnosis, and treatment of many patients with acute HIV, and identified a high prevalence of chronic HCV infections among younger patients. Disclosures R. Anson, Frontline of Communities in the United States (Gilead, Inc.): Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. C. Hall, Frontline of Communities in the United States (Gilead, Inc.): Grant Investigator, Grant recipient.

scholarly journals Adherence to Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy in People Actively Using Drugs and Alcohol: The INCLUD Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina M Brooks ◽  
Jose R Castillo-Mancilla ◽  
Mary Morrow ◽  
Samantha MaWhinney ◽  
Sarah E Rowan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Virologic Response ◽  
Directly Observed Therapy ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Direct Acting Antiviral ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Adherence Data ◽  
Direct Acting

Abstract Background HCV treatment in persons who use drugs (PWUD) is often withheld due to adherence and reinfection concerns. Here, we report treatment outcomes, technology-based adherence data, and adherence predictors in PWUD and/or alcohol. Methods INCLUD was a prospective, open-label study of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for 12 weeks in PWUD aged 18-70 years. Participants were randomized to wireless (WOT, Wisepill®) or video-based directly observed therapy (vDOT, Emocha®). Drug use was assessed every 2 weeks. Sustained virologic response (SVR) was examined by intention-to-treat and as-treated. Factors associated with missing ≥1 dose(s) between visits were examined using generalized linear models. Results Sixty participants received ≥1 ledipasvir/sofosbuvir dose (47 HIV/HCV, 13 HCV only; 78% male; 22% Black; 25% cirrhotic). Substance use occurred at 94% of person-visits: 60% marijuana, 56% alcohol, 37% methamphetamine, 22% opioids, 17% cocaine, and 20% injection drug use. SVR by intention-to-treat was 86.7% (52/60) and as-treated was 94.5% (52/55). Confirmed failures included 1 relapse, 1 reinfection, and 1 unknown (suspected reinfection). Median (IQR [range]) total adherence was 96% (85-100% [30-101%]) and between-visit adherence was 100% (86-100% [0-107%]). Odds [95% CI] of missing ≥1 dose between visits increased with HIV coinfection (2.94 [1.37, 6.32], p=0.006), Black race (4.09 [1.42, 11.74], p=0.009), methamphetamine use (2.51 [1.44, 4.37], p=0.0.001) and cocaine use (2.12 [1.08, 4.18], p=0.03), and decreased with marijuana use (0.34 [0.17, 0.70], p=0.003) and vDOT (0.43 [0.21, 0.87], p=0.02). Conclusions PWUD achieved high SVR rates with high, but variable, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir adherence using technology-based methods. These findings support efforts to expand HCV treatment in PWUD.

scholarly journals Declines in Depressive Symptoms Among People who Inject Drugs Treated With Direct-Acting Antivirals While on Opioid Agonist Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Pericot-Valverde ◽  
Moonseong Heo ◽  
Jiajing Niu ◽  
Brianna L Norton ◽  
Matthew J Akiyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
People Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Sustained Viral Response ◽  
Addiction Severity Index ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
Direct Acting Antivirals ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Opioid Agonist ◽  
Direct Acting

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) frequently co-occurs with symptoms of depression, which are aggravated on interferon-based regimens. However, it is unknown whether HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has effects on depressive symptoms among people who inject drugs (PWID). In this study, we examined changes in depressive symptoms during and after HCV treatment among PWID on opioid agonist therapies (OATs). Methods Participants were 141 PWID who achieved sustained viral response after on-site HCV treatment at 3 OAT programs. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI-II) at baseline, every 4 weeks during treatment, and 12 and 24 weeks after treatment completion. Current diagnosis of depression or other psychiatric diagnoses were obtained through chart review. Use of illicit drugs was measured by urine toxicology screening. Alcohol use was measured using the Addiction Severity Index–Lite. Results Of the 141 PWID infected with HCV, 24.1% had severe, 9.9% had moderate, 15.6% had mild, and 50.4% had minimal levels of depression as per BDI-II scores at baseline. HCV treatment was significantly associated with reductions in depressive symptoms that persisted long term, regardless of symptom severity (P < .001) or presence of depression (P ≤ .01) or other psychiatric diagnoses (P ≤ .01) at baseline. Concurrent drug use (P ≤ .001) or hazardous alcohol drinking (P ≤ .001) did not interfere with reductions in depressive symptoms. Conclusions Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among HCV-infected PWID. HCV treatment was associated with sustained reductions in depressive symptoms. HCV therapy with DAAs may have important implications for PWID that go beyond HCV cure.

scholarly journals Considering treatment-as-prevention scale-up for Australian prisons: a qualitative sub-study of expert stakeholders from the Australian ‘surveillance and treatment of prisoners with hepatitis C’ project (SToP-C)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jake Rance ◽  
◽  
Lise Lafferty ◽  
Carla Treloar
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Treatment As Prevention ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Direct Acting ◽  
Levels Of Support

Abstract Background With direct-acting antivirals dramatically reshaping the public health response to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), prisons are set to play a critical role in elimination efforts. Despite the theoretical demonstration of HCV treatment-as-prevention in prison in mathematical modeling, limited empirical data exist. The Australian ‘Surveillance and Treatment of Prisoners with Hepatitis C’ project (SToP-C) is the world’s first trial of HCV treatment-as-prevention in prison. Drawing on interviews with HCV expert stakeholders, this paper explores the factors respondents identified as crucial to the success of future scale-up. Accounting for such perspectives matters because of the influence expert discourse has in shaping implementation. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nineteen HCV experts working across key policy, advocacy, research and clinical dimensions of the Australian HCV response. Data were coded using qualitative data management software (NVivo 11). Analysis proceeded via a hybrid deductive and inductive approach. Results Notwithstanding concerns regarding the lack of primary prevention in Australian prisons, stakeholders reported broad levels of support for the intervention and for the future scale-up of HCV treatment. A number of considerations, both external and internal to the prison system, were identified as key. The principal external factor was an enabling political-cum-policy environment; internal factors included: obtaining support from prisons’ executive and custodial staff; promoting health within a security-first institutional culture; allocating time for treatment within prisoners’ tightly regulated schedules; ensuring institutional stability during treatment given the routine movement of prisoners between prisons; prioritizing the availability of retreatment given the paucity of primary prevention; and securing sufficient clinical space for treatment. Conclusion The challenges to implementation are considerable, ranging from macrolevel concerns to in-prison logistical matters. Nonetheless, we argue that prisons remain an obvious setting for treatment scale-up, not only for prevention and potential elimination benefit, but for the treatment opportunities they afford a socially disadvantaged and underserved population. While noting widespread concerns among respondents regarding the paucity of primary prevention in Australian prisons, results indicate broad levels of support among expert stakeholders for HCV treatment scale-up in prison.

scholarly journals Direct-Acting Antivirals and Organ Transplantation: Is There Anything We Can’t Do?

2020 ◽  
Vol 222 (Supplement_9) ◽  
pp. S794-S801
Author(s):  
Matthew R Kappus ◽  
Cameron R Wolfe ◽  
Andrew J Muir
Keyword(s):  
Organ Transplantation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Virologic Response ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Direct Acting Antiviral ◽  
Transplant Candidates ◽  
Direct Acting ◽  
High Sustained Virologic Response ◽  
Waitlist Mortality

Abstract The opioid epidemic has resulted in an increase in organ donors with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States. With the development of direct-acting antiviral regimens that offer high sustained virologic response rates even in the setting of immunosuppression after transplantation, these HCV-viremic organs are now being offered to transplant candidates with or without preexisting HCV infection. Strategies for HCV treatment with HCV-viremic organs have included delayed and preemptive approaches. This review will discuss key studies in the different solid organ transplants, recent reports of adverse events, and ethical and regulatory considerations. The efficacy of current HCV therapies has created this important opportunity to improve survival for patients with end-organ failure through greater access to organ transplantation and decreased waitlist mortality rate.

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