
Efficacy of PegIntron (Peginterferon Alfa-2b) and Rebetol (Ribavirin) in Treatment-naïve Subjects...
Hepatitis CChronic1 moreThe objective of the study is to evaluate the rates of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication and relapse in participants treated with PegIntron and Rebetol in clinical practice in Greece. Participants will not be treated as part of the study. Data on participants treated in accordance with approved labeling will be collected retrospectively from approximately 30 sites in Greece.

Safety and Efficacy of PegIntron and Rebetol Combination Therapy in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis...
Hepatitis CChronic1 moreThis is a post-marketing surveillance of patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with PegIntron and Rebetol combination therapy in clinical practice in Japan. The objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination therapy. The study will also compare the safety profile of the combination therapy among elderly patients and younger patients. Post-marketing surveys are not considered applicable clinical trials and thus the results of this survey will not be posted at its conclusion. The results will be submitted to public health officials as required by applicable national and international laws.

Nutritional Support During Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis C
Hepatitis CWeight LossStandard antiviral treatment consists of weekly injections with Peginterferon-α in combination with ribavirin. This treatment may lead to significant weight loss (7% within 24 weeks on average), with decreased quality of life. In this study the investigators will examine in 50 patients whether nutritional advise and support can prevent weight loss during antiviral therapy.

Health Promotion and Management for Hepatitis B Carriers
Chronic Hepatitis BThe investigators propose a project of preventive medicine with concern of local context in Taiwan. The target population includes all staff and faculty members, students, and alumni of a university in Northern Taiwan, with chronic hepatitis B infection. The intervention of this project includes standardized lectures, sports courses, nutrition courses, and an information platform. The investigators will evaluate the efficacy after the intervention, like the reduction of hepatitis B viral load and the associated anthropometric parameters. The results of this project will be initially served as a pilot study for this cohort, and applicated as a promising basis for health promotion.

Cellular Immune Responses to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)- Longitudinal Follow up and Natural History...
Hepatitis BHIV InfectionsIt remains unclear why some individuals are able to clear HBV from their bodies while in others HBV is a persistent infection. We plan to investigate this process by collecting blood and analysing how the patient's white blood cells respond to different pieces of the HBV virus. We will use new tools that can precisely tell us which component of the immune response may be different in individuals who are chronically infected with HBV and also in individuals who are also infected with HIV. The primary aims are therefore: To characterize HBV-specific T cell responses in HBV chronic carriers, and identify novel immunogenic regions in both HLA-A2+ and non-HLA-A2+ individuals. To determine the effect of HIV infection on HBV-specific T-cell responses

Studies of Immune Responses in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B
Hepatitis BTaiwan is a hyperendemic area of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Previous studies demonstrated vigorous T cell responses to HBV-encoded antigens developed in patients with self-limited acute hepatitis B. In contrast, weak or no T cell responses could be detected in chronic hepatitis B (CH-B) patients. However, these immune responses are still not well known in patients with acute exacerbation (AE) of CH-B and in patients with advanced liver diseases, such as liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells might suppress immune responses against foreign antigens and pathogens. The roles of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in patients chronically infected with HBV remain to be clarified. The high percentage of HBV carriers in Taiwan are related to the vertical transmissions. High maternal HBV viral load may make the newborns tolerant to the HBV. However, the HBV-specific CD8+ T cells responses in the cord bloods of newborns are still unknown. Thus, we want to resolve these issues in this study. We will enroll the HBsAg (+) patients from NTUH. Blood samples will be collected. We will then analyze the HBV-specific CD8+ T cell responses and the clarify the roles of regulatory T cells.

Immune Response to Hepatitis C Virus
Hepatitis CThis study will identify and characterize immune factors involved in hepatitis C infection and elimination of the virus. Individual responses to hepatitis C infection vary; some people are able to eliminate the virus, whereas others remain chronically infected. This study may identify factors important in preventing infection that may be of help in developing a vaccine or more effective treatments. People over 18 years old who have been exposed to hepatitis C virus may participate in this study. Subjects will be recruited from the National Institutes of Health, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Occupational Medical Services-IDP P.C., Washington Hospital Center and Holy Cross Hospital, all in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Individual patients from other centers will also be recruited on a case by case basis. Participants will have 40 to 60 cc (1 to 2 ounces) of blood drawn at seven intervals. The first collection will be as soon as possible after exposure to hepatitis C virus and then again at 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, and 48 weeks after exposure. The white blood cells will be studied for their response to the virus, and markers for infection will be followed. If infection develops, additional samples of blood may be requested, and patients will be offered evaluation for treatment. Test results will be kept confidential and will not be entered into any medical records.

History of Hepatitis C in Volunteer Blood Donors
Hepatitis CHepatitis C is a disease of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Patients with hepatitis C may feel well and show no signs or symptoms of being ill. However, researchers would like to study the long-term effects of this disease. Volunteer blood donors diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) and various levels of liver enzyme activity will be offered a complete medical evaluation and liver biopsy. The tests will enable researchers to provide the patients with an idea of how severe their liver disease is. The virus and patient will be studied in order to understand why patients with hepatitis C develop different levels of liver damage.

Self-testing for HCV Re-infection in MSM
Hepatitis C RecurrentHIV-1-infectionHIV+MSM (men who have sex with men) that have been cured of a hepatitis C viral infection (HCV) are at risk for HCV re-infection (5-10% per year). One intervention to reduce HCV incidence in this population may be to decrease the time to diagnosis of HCV re-infections in order to decrease the duration that these re-infected patients may transmit their HCV to sex partners. Diagnosis of HCV re-infection is followed by counseling on transmission risk in combination with prompt initiation of HCV therapy, which will prevent new HCV infections on the population level. In this study the investigators evaluate the effect and feasibility of more frequent and home-based testing for HCV on the time to diagnosis and treatment of HCV re-infections.

Paritaprevir/r - Ombitasvir, ± Dasabuvir, ± Ribavirin in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C - An...
Chronic Hepatitis CThe study seeks to provide evidence of the effectiveness and obtain patient reported outcome (PRO) and work productivity data of the interferon-free ABBVIE REGIMEN (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir +/- dasabuvir) +/- Ribavirin (RBV) in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected participants in Austria.