Quantitation of Hepatitis C Virus RNA

In 1996, a study found that long-term, high-dose fluconazole therapy (longer than 3 months and doses of 400 mg/d or more) was associated with reversible alopecia in patients, which resolved after stopping the drug. This hair loss was not observed with other antifungal therapies. The document also discussed the disruption of circadian rhythm in liver cirrhosis patients, the underrecognized issue of microvascular renal disease, and the need for better methods to monitor sleep patterns. Additionally, it compared two assays for measuring Hepatitis C Virus RNA levels, noting significant kit-to-kit variation and advocating for routine HCV RNA level measurement to guide treatment. It also mentioned a case of tuberculous abscess in an AIDS patient and blood cell count issues with certain drugs. Furthermore, in 1995, international medical graduates outperformed U.S. graduates on the Internal Medicine In-Training Examination, with the study involving 15,119 residents, indicating a need for further analysis of medical education quality.