LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Hepatitis C: Infections
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BACKGROUND: Mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) could become the main route of HCV infection in the future because there are no methods available to prevent vertical infection. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of mother-to-infant transmission in infants born to mothers who tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies and to elucidate associated risk factors for transmission.
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BERKELEY, Calif., March 1, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Dynavax Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: DVAX) today announced that it had initiated a Phase 1 trial of its novel therapy for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The trial is being conducted in Hamburg, Germany and will enroll 20 healthy subjects to evaluate the safety of the therapy at two dosing schedules. The novel HBV therapy combines, for the first time, the surface and core antigen of HBV, manufactured at Dynavax Europe. Results are expected in the second half of 2007.
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When there is a low likelihood (risk) of hepatitis C infection, individuals who test positive for hepatitis C by EIA should undergo confirmatory testing using a specialized assay that likewise tests for antibodies against the hepatitis C virus proteins. This assay is called the Recombinant Immunoblot Assay (RIBA).
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June 10 2005, REDNOVA NEWS Patient-to-Patient Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus- vulnerable patients with cancer observing poor infection-control techniques by a health care professional attending their central venous catheters. Click here
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Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors, such as alcohol abuse, some medications and trauma. Its various forms affect millions of Americans. Although many cases of hepatitis are not a serious threat to health, infection with certain hepatitis viruses can become chronic (long-lasting) and can sometimes lead to liver failure and death.
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The researchers conducted searches in several databases to identify 13 randomized trials of medicinal herbs for hepatitis C (trial quality was rated adequate in only 4 trials). The selected trials, involving a total of 818 patients with mainly HCV, evaluated 14 different medicinal herbs versus various control interventions such as placebo. Compared to placebo, they found that none of the herbs tested showed effects on liver enzymes or in reducing the amount of HCV, except for milk thistle, which did show a significant reduction of liver enzymes in one trial. The authors concluded, "There is no firm evidence supporting medicinal herbs for HCV infection, and further randomized trials are justified."
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