News Stories

[TnHepGuy_]

<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15319860">Viral Gene Sequences Reveal the Variable History of Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Countries</a>

<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15319859">Prevalence of Production of Virus-Specific Interferon- gamma among Seronegative Hepatitis C-Resistant Subjects Reporting Injection Drug Use</a>

<a href="http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2004/082304_a.html">Short Course of Conventional Interferon Alfa Plus Ribavirin Therapy May Be Effective in Patients with Advanced Cirrhosis Whose Date of Liver Transplantation Is Known</a>

<a href="http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2004/HJR-1.15.html#1">Risk Factors for Ribavirin: Anemia</a>

<a href="http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2004/HJR-1.15.html#2">Herbal Remedies for HCV Patients</a>

<a href="http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2004/HJR-1.15.html#3">Liver Toxicity Related to Acetaminophen</a>



http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15319860

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15319859

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2004/082304_a.html

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2004/HJR-1.15.html#1

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2004/HJR-1.15.html#2

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2004/HJR-1.15.html#3

[Amerabrit]

I am so appreciative of all the studies and conversation surrounding the results posted here.  Just did shot 30/48.  We all have our own ways of dealing with this virus and tx.  When first dx, I did what most of us do, searched the net, checked out Drs. and all of that good stuff, and of course, found this forum:).    Once I decided to tx though, I left the research and studies alone and decided to concentrate instead on handling tx and defeating this virus.  What I'm trying to say here is that for me, I need to deal with one issue at a time, everything else is just too much to take in and very, very stressful for me.  The information posted here is invaluable, so I cut and paste and store for future use.  Some studies I read, but most I put in my library.  I truly believe stress has such an important role in our tx journey and ultimate SVR status.  Because the bottom line is, we're on tx so why not sit back a bit, ditch as much stress as possible and put all of our positive energy into successfully completing tx and attaining SVR?  having said that, I know too, that some of us need to be pro-active and look more to the future and we all need you guys too. I'm thinking we just need to understand which group eacxh of us falls in to and go with it.  Hope I made some sense here?
Best of luck to you both, as always I'm wishing you well:).

[DoubleDose]

TnHpGuy  

Please note my follow-up BELOW on the thread regarding: 'intestinal infection with HCV' which addresses your link today on inf-gamma production in anti-hcv negative individuals.  This is a very thought provoking subject.  
Please let me know what you think about my questions at end of thread below.  Thanks!

[TnHepGuy_]

That is GREAT NEWS!!!

It certainly doesn't seem like 23 weeks ago that you started your 'adventure'. You've shown great fortitude in plowing forth in the face of what you are up against - not to mention all of the lovely sx's that come along with this tx. And it sure makes a HUGE difference to have all of your caregivers working in the same corner as you.

Congratulations, Neal!!! You're well on your way to getting that coveted SVR!!!


May God's blessings and mercy be upon you.


David

[nolee]

Well I'm almost there. 24/24 this Friday. I really feel like **** these days but NOTHING will discourage me when I wake Sat. morn knowing "no more Pig" or Ribas. Doc said an immediate PCR then 6 months and 1 year. He and his nurses are as joyous as I am. What a team. You still have my e-mail so contact anytime for anything. YourFriend~Neal~

[TnHepGuy_]

As far as the interferon-gamma report goes:


I read it as the interferon-gamma is an immune response to the intrusion of the foriegn bodies (i.e. - Hep C viron). The authors suggest that "<i>The immune responses described are likely to have been primed and maintained by episodes of subclinical infection....</i>", which begs the question - if the immune response has to be 'maintined' by repeated introduction/reintroduction of HCV RNA, does the response diminish or disappear completely when the 'episodes' cease?


<u>Why is the inf-gamma response ONGOING????</u> - they seem to suggest that it is ongoing as a result of the repeated episodes - though it really is not made clear.

<u>What is the state of HCV virus in these individuals (does it exist in their system, did it exist only in the past, or did it only ATTEMPT to attack their system?????</u> - the paper states that all the subjects tested were HCV RNA free - suggesting that the interferon-gamma response they had could well be a measure of immune system success at clearing acute infection, including repeat infections.

<u>This may be the 'unseen step' in potential infection or ongoing attempted infection within partners/family members of HCV positive individuals.</u> - though the interferon-gamma response may help explain why some individuals can 'fend off' the virus - even repeatedly - I don't think it could explain an entire category of people not becoming infected, in this case spouses/partners/family members. In this study they chose individuals from a group (repeat IV drug users) and studied a particular sub-group within (those who remained negative for anti-HCV antibody). To take the results from this small sub-group and then apply them broadly to an enitre category (spouses/partners/family members) would be to also include the vast proportion of those individuals in that category who do not have the interferon-gamma resistance response.


TnHepGuy

[DoubleDose]

Thanks so much for your comments.  They provide some clarification to the issues  that I raised, and also provide some basis for optomism around finding an immune response that works, and maybe modeling it into a therapeutic drug or vaccine.
Lately I tend to become more alarmist after reading these sorts of research studies (gamma inf,  occult hcv, intestinal mucosa HCV, and others), that I tend not to go through my usual analytic critical thought process after digesting the material.  I have become overly concerned over the past few years about suspicious symptoms within family members, and a few past partners, (all who are negative on HCV antibody testing by the way), that I tend to keep waiting  for 'the other shoe to drop'.
I fear that they will find other serious transmission issues, that have heretofore been undetected, or not understood.  I hope my fears are totally off base, but when you see similar (to HCV) chronic symptoms in loved ones, over a period of years, that doctors find no explanation for,...it is very easy to worry obsessively.
I really have no need for more worry, since the business that I run is very high-intensity, and pressure filled, as well my as being the sole provider for the family, etc.  I hope the HCV issue is as simple ultimately as the docs believe it to be.  Since I am SVR I am very optomistic, and recovering slowly but surely...but then I read another off-the-wall research study, and the antennae go up, and I find another reason to have an anxiety attack over what 'might be happening' with my family.

[TnHepGuy_]

<a href="http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2004/HJR-1.15.html#4">Most Common Causes of Drug-Related Liver Failures</a>

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev/2004/HJR-1.15.html#4