NIH scientists discovered that enteric viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus can replicate and spread through saliva, making talking, coughing, sneezing, and kissing potential routes of transmission. (Nature)
As of the latest count, 320 U.S. cases of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children are under investigation by the CDC.
But no common exposure has been identified for the unusual cases, with adenovirus detected in 45% of the children. (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)
The World Health Organization announced updated guidance on treating hepatitis C infection in children and adolescents at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver. Catch up on all of MedPage Today‘s coverage from the meeting here.
Newly eligible younger Americans may be less likely to go in for recommended colorectal cancer screening. (Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention)
Two factors, older age and “good mood,” appeared protective against severe symptoms during bowel preparation for colonoscopy, while female sex, longer working hours, and previous gastrointestinal symptoms were linked with a higher odds for severe symptoms. (Digestive and Liver Disease)
A 133-gene signature was able to successfully predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients over 15 years of observation. (Science Translational Medicine)
No “clinically meaningful difference” in HCC risk was identified between patients taking either entecavir or tenofovir for chronic hepatitis B, a meta-analysis found. (JAMA Network Open)
And statins were associated with a reduced risk of HCC for patients with end-stage kidney disease and chronic viral hepatitis, according to an observational study from South Korea. (Scientific Reports)
Heat shock protein 47 could be a biomarker to differentiate fibrotic and non-fibrotic forms of Crohn’s disease, and could be a potential drug target as well. (Scientific Reports)
Compared with conventional therapies, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for inflammatory bowel disease and other immune-mediated conditions were associated with an increased risk of psoriasis, though the absolute risk was “modest,” researchers reported in JAMA Dermatology.
Liver stiffness testing may have another use: predicting patients’ length of hospital stay prior to cardiac surgery. (Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia)
And testing for liver stiffness with vibration-controlled transient elastography (FibroScan) improved the prediction of survival outcomes for patients with primary biliary cholangitis who had no prior cirrhosis-related complications. (Journal of Hepatology)
Source: MedicalNewsToday.com
