Peginterferon Add‑On to siRNA JNJ‑73763989 Yields Deep HBsAg Declines but Not Durable Off‑Therapy Cure in HBeAg‑Positive CHB: Phase 2 REEF‑IT Results
Posted inGastroenterology Infectious Diseases news

Peginterferon Add‑On to siRNA JNJ‑73763989 Yields Deep HBsAg Declines but Not Durable Off‑Therapy Cure in HBeAg‑Positive CHB: Phase 2 REEF‑IT Results

In the phase 2 REEF‑IT trial, pegylated interferon‑α2a added to siRNA JNJ‑73763989 produced large HBsAg reductions and transient seroclearance in some untreated HBeAg‑positive patients, but no participant reached the prespecified sustained off‑therapy HBsAg loss endpoint at 24 weeks.
Not All ‘Indeterminate’ HBV Is Equal: Specific Indeterminate Types Carry Markedly Higher Long‑Term HCC Risk
Posted inGastroenterology Infectious Diseases news

Not All ‘Indeterminate’ HBV Is Equal: Specific Indeterminate Types Carry Markedly Higher Long‑Term HCC Risk

A multinational cohort study of 1,986 patients with indeterminate chronic hepatitis B (CHB) shows large differences in long‑term hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk by baseline indeterminate subtype and by phase transition, identifying subgroups that may benefit from earlier antiviral therapy and intensified surveillance.
Congenital CMV in Australia: Reported Cases Are a Small Fraction of Estimated Burden — Implications for Screening, Treatment, and Public Health
Posted inInfectious Diseases news Pediatrics

Congenital CMV in Australia: Reported Cases Are a Small Fraction of Estimated Burden — Implications for Screening, Treatment, and Public Health

National APSU surveillance (1999–2024) found 479 definite congenital CMV cases and dramatic under-ascertainment versus expected prevalence; symptomatic infants increasingly receive antivirals. Expanded surveillance, newborn screening, and clear treatment pathways are needed.
Evaluating Self-Collected Urine and Vaginal Samples for HPV Genotyping in Cervical Cancer Screening Among Japanese Women
Posted inInfectious Diseases news Pathology & Lab Medicine

Evaluating Self-Collected Urine and Vaginal Samples for HPV Genotyping in Cervical Cancer Screening Among Japanese Women

This study assesses the feasibility and performance of using self-collected urine and vaginal samples with the BD Onclarity® HPV assay for cervical cancer screening in Japanese women with abnormal cytology, highlighting concordance and sensitivity metrics compared to clinician-collected cervical samples.