Unusual Hepatitis Spreads; IBD and Erectile Dysfunction; Can PFAS Harm Livers?

A dozen countries and six U.S. states have now reported unexplained acute hepatitis cases in kids, about 10% of which have required transplants; one suspected death has been reported as well. (The Independent)

Surgeries, disease activity, and depression all contributed to a significantly increased risk of erectile dysfunction among men with inflammatory bowel disease. (Journal of Sexual Medicine)

Researchers are developing an intra-cavity wireless LED device to irradiate any remaining cancer cells left behind during colorectal cancer surgery, and reduce the need for post-surgical interventions like chemotherapy. (Nature Communications)

Cigarette smoking and rural residence had the strongest associations with gastrointestinal cancer mortality, according to CDC data. (Gastroenterology)

A meta-analysis of pre-clinical and epidemiological studies found associations between exposure to the synthetic chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and markers of liver toxicity. (Environmental Health Perspectives)

A small study found that about two-thirds of patients with severe immune-related hepatitis who were retreated with immunotherapy did not experience disease recurrence following treatment. (Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

Compared to usual care, a significantly higher proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis C were prescribed therapy after enrolling in a pharmacist-led direct antiviral management program. (Journal of the American Pharmacists Association)