HCV / Hepatitis

This week, from synthetic biosecurity concerns to gaps in maternal hepatitis C screening, rising COVID cases, antimicrobial resistance, fast-tracked CF therapies, and more.

Despite updated guidelines for universal hepatitis C virus screening in pregnancy, testing rates remain well below targets, missing chances to prevent perinatal transmission.

Study reveals notable sex-based disparities in liver complication risk among adults with cirrhosis, particularly in nonviral cases.

The study will examine the switch to the combination of tobevibart and elebsiran in patients not achieving undetectable hepatitis D virus RNA despite bulevirtide treatment.

Unsaturated fats in vegetable oils help reduce inflammation and modulate organ metabolism, leading to decreased ALT, AST, and TBIL levels.

Global modeling identifies vertical transmission burden and underscores need for maternal screening policies.

First representative data highlight regional and demographic variations, underscoring the need for enhanced vaccination and targeted interventions.

This week, AI speeds antibiotic discovery, Temple’s ID team celebrates tradition, EDs boost Hep C detection, thimerosal exits flu shots, and the pandemic’s silent toll on brain health emerges.

Lin Zhu explains why testing alone will not achieve HCV elimination without better access and integrated care.

This week, the first US study screening hepatitis B and D concurrently found that 2.2% of HBV-positive samples had HDV antibodies, the FDA approved GSK’s Shingrix, and more.

Study findings underscore the cost-effectiveness of more frequent hepatitis C testing among people who inject drugs, compared to less frequent or no testing at all.

Shortening the OraQuick HCV antibody test from 20 to 5 minutes reduced false positives and unnecessary follow-up RNA testing, but detected fewer viremic individuals.

DETECT Hep C trial shows nontargeted testing in emergency departments outperforms risk-based screening, yet treatment follow-through remains low.

Findings from recent studies published in BMC Gastroenterology highlight practical diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic strategies to improve management of chronic hepatitis B.

This week, the ACIP recommends clesrovimab for RSV protection in infants under 8 months without maternal immunity, ASM Microbe talk urges for creative funding solutions amid federal freezes to sustain research and careers, and more.

New longitudinal study findings suggest booster vaccination may not be necessary despite declining antibody levels.

Presented at ASM Microbe 2025, a bioinformatics study highlights 9 human miRNAs capable of binding and potentially inhibiting both hepatitis C and bovine viral diarrhea viruses.

Data from the 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance report highlight key differences in death rates across states and populations, informing targeted public health efforts.

After initially closing its viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted disease laboratories, the CDC rescinds staff terminations, preserving vital disease surveillance and outbreak response capabilities.

Successful HCV treatment with DAAs was associated with reduced risks of CKD, stroke, major adverse cardiac events, and neurocognitive disorders.

This week, the FDA expanded Moderna’s RSV vaccine to younger at-risk adults, Merck’s Enflonsia received approval to protect infants from RSV, HHS Secretary RFK Jr replaced the CDC’s ACIP, and more.

The antiviral, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (Mavyet), is the first and only oral 8-week pangenotypic treatment approved for people with acute or chronic hepatitis C. The approval supports global clinical guidelines to advance testing and treatment of HCV regardless of chronicity and supports public health goals for disease elimination.

Hydronidone demonstrated significant efficacy in liver fibrosis regression in CHB patients, meeting the primary endpoint in a phase 3 trial. The company plans to file regulatory applications in China and the US, aiming to expand the therapy's indications.

The company detailed its preliminary 24-week post–end-of-treatment data for its tobevibart and elebsiran combination, which is being studied for chronic hepatitis B.

LA County confirms 165 cases since 2024 with 29 in 2025 alone, including individuals without known risk factors.

Rising tick-borne illnesses due to warmer winters, strong hepatitis E vaccine efficacy during an outbreak, emerging fungal threats and resistance, and more.

The Hecolin hepatitis E virus vaccine was delivered with a reduced 2-dose schedule to people living in a refugee camp to try to reduce an outbreak.

World Malaria day stories, update on measles outbreak, coronavirus antivirals showing strong results in testing, and more this week.

Q&A with Ben Burwitz, PhD, on the significance of the new hepatitis B virus (HBV)-susceptible primate model and its potential to advance hepatitis B research and therapeutic development.

Atea Pharmaceuticals will present the full clinical study at the upcoming EASL Congress in May.