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News - Briefly and Links

to summaries from the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update, AIDSinfo.nih.gov and aidsmap, a website of NAM a UK-based organization, and links to Kaiser HIV/AIDS Report, The Body, Medscape and other sources including the Journal Watch. See also Medical News on Hepatitis, STDs, and TB. Note: Some links to Journal Watch, published by the New England Journal of Medicine, require registration/subscription.

 

 March News Briefs

CDC Presents New Analysis of Syphilis among MSM

(3.10.10) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presented a new analysis at its 2010 National STD Prevention Conference underscoring the disproportionate impact of HIV and syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. While CDC data have shown for years that more than half of new HIV and syphilis infections are among gay and bisexual men, new analyses allowed us to estimate the rate of these diseases among the total U.S. population of MSM.

Based on a meta-analysis of nationally representative surveys, CDC estimated that MSM comprise 4% of the U.S. male population or 2% of the overall U.S. population aged 13 and older. The rate of new HIV diagnoses among MSM is between 44 and 86 times that of other men and between 40 and 77 times that of women. The rate of primary and secondary syphilis among MSM is between 46 and 89 times that of other men and between 71 and 135 times that of women. CDC’s press statement containing more detailed information on this analysis is available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/msmpressrelease.html .

CDC is in the process of developing breakdowns of MSM rates by race and age, and is in the early planning stages of developing estimates for rates of HIV among injection drug-users (IDU) and high-risk heterosexuals. These estimates will inform our collective approach to HIV and STD prevention, ensuring that resources, programs, and policies are reaching populations in greatest need of services.


"Genital Herpes Virus Infects One in Six Americans"
BusinessWeek , (03.09.2010) Tom Randall, Bloomberg News  CDC NPIN Summary
A new CDC study finding the US genital herpes infection rate has remained relatively level over a decade “serves as a stark reminder that herpes remains a common and serious health threat,” said Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the agency’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention.

The report was presented Tuesday at the 2010 National STD Prevention Conference in Atlanta. The 2005-2008 data were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a federal report that draws from medical records and blood tests. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection rates in people ages 14-49 were examined.

HSV-2 prevalence in the United States declined from 17 percent in 1999-2004 to 16.2 percent in 2005-2008 - a decrease so small as to be “not statistically significant,” CDC said.

Genital herpes, which can produce painful blisters near the genitals and raise the risk for HIV transmission, infects one in six Americans, CDC said. Women and African Americans are most likely to be infected.

The study found that blacks had a 39.2 percent infection rate, more than three times that of whites. Almost half (48 percent) of African-American women were infected with genital herpes. “We are particularly concerned about persistent high rates of herpes among African-Americans, which is likely contributing to disproportionate rates of HIV in the black community,” Fenton noted. Blacks have higher poverty rates and more limited access to health care, including STD treatment, the agency said.

CDC estimates that more than 80 percent of people with HSV-2 are unaware they are infected. Those with the virus can transmit it to sex partners even when they do not show symptoms. People who have herpes symptoms should seek testing, CDC said. Patients should avoid sex during an outbreak and use condoms on a consistent and correct basis with all sex partners. HSV-2 is an incurable infection, though medications can help manage its symptoms and control outbreaks.

To view CDC’s media release on the study, visit http://www.cdc.gov/NCHHSTP/newsroom/hsv2pressrelease.html

 



CDC Data Brief: Viral Hepatitis

PDF Version Adobe PDF file (781 KB)

by Geraldine M. McQuillan, Ph.D; Deanna Kruszon-Moran, M.S.; Maxine M. Denniston, M.S.P.H.; and Rosemarie Hirsch, M.D., M.P.H. 

Key findings
  • The increase in hepatitis A antibody prevalence among U.S. born persons aged 6–19 years and the decrease in older age groups most likely reflects increased immunity due to immunization in children and the resulting decrease of viral exposure leading to less natural infection in adults.
  • Hepatitis B virus infection among persons aged 6–19 and 20–39 years has markedly decreased in recent years as a result of vaccination efforts. By 2003–2006, over 90% of children had received at least one dose of hepatitis B vaccine, reflecting successful vaccination efforts.
  • Prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus is decreasing among those at the highest risk of infection.
  • The peak age of hepatitis C infection is shifting to older age groups, which suggests that the incidence of infection may be decreasing due to prevention programs targeting risk behaviors.

Viral hepatitis is a disease of major public health significance in the United States (1). The three most important and pathogenic types are hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV). They are caused by unrelated viruses, but share similar symptomatology and most people infected do not develop clinical disease (2). HBV and HCV can produce chronic infection that is associated with chronic liver disease and liver cancer. HCV is the most common chronic blood born infection in the United States because 70–85% of those acutely infected become chronically infected (3).

HAV vaccine has been recommended for travelers since 1995, children and others at risk since 2006 (4). HBV vaccine has been recommended for infants since 1991, older children and adolescents not previously vaccinated, and adults at risk since the early 1980s (5,6). No vaccine exists for HCV. Effective antiviral treatments are available for HBV to halt progressive liver damage (7) and for HCV to achieve “sustained virologic response”.

See February Archives

 

New from Journal Watch

Hepatitis for March 5, 2010

CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE WATCH

Management of Healthcare Workers Who Are Infected with Bloodborne Pathogens

March 3, 2010 | Richard T. Ellison III, MD | Infectious Diseases

This updated document provides guidance on restricting the patient-care activities of such workers.

Reviewing: Henderson DK et al. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2010 Mar 31:203

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Tenofovir for Treatment-Experienced Patients with Hepatitis B Virus Infection

February 19, 2010 | Atif Zaman, MD, MPH | Gastroenterology

Monotherapy was effective in patients who failed previous therapy with lamivudine or adefovir.

Reviewing: van Bömmel F et al. Hepatology 2010 Jan 51:73

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Peginterferon Alfa-2a vs. Alfa-2b for Hepatitis C

February 12, 2010 | Atif Zaman, MD, MPH | Gastroenterology

In two head-to-head trials, peginterferon alfa-2a regimens provided higher rates of sustained virologic response.

Reviewing: Rumi MG et al. Gastroenterology 2010 Jan 138:108

Ascione A et al. Gastroenterology 2010 Jan 138:116

 

See February archives

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