Author profile
Mel Krajden, OBC, MD, FRCPC
Since May 2022, monkeypox infections have been reported in many countries where they had not been seen previously, including Canada. Timely diagnostic testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is key for both... Read More
World Hepatitis Day, acknowledged on 28 July, provides an opportunity to reflect on BC’s journey toward achieving the World Health Organization’s target of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030. Treatment for the hepatitis C... Read More
Care cascades Care cascades are visual tools used to track patients’ journeys across illness and care stages such as screened or diagnosed, referred to care, treatment assessment, treatment, and status of treatment... Read More
Mumps is a contagious infectious disease that was common in Canadian school-age children before the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine was introduced starting in 1983. Two MMR doses have been recommended for BC... Read More
The detection of both established and acute HIV infection (AHI) is important for reducing HIV transmission. AHI is associated with very high viral loads, and the magnitude of the viral load correlates with the... Read More
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato is a diverse bacterial group with a worldwide distribution of 20 named and 1 unnamed genospecies. B. burgdorferi sensu stricto seen in North America, B. afzelii and B. garinii in Europe,... Read More
Context Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important cause of progressive liver disease. It is spread through blood-to-blood contact and seldom produces symptoms at the time of infection. Three of four infections... Read More
The routine administration of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine has been associated with a considerable reduction in chickenpox-related morbidity. Considering the vast number of vaccine doses administered in both... Read More
Hepatitis C (HCV) antiviral treatments can now cure 65% to 75% of infections, but existing treatments are poorly tolerated. In 3 to 5 years well-tolerated combination antivirals will cure greater than 90% of infections... Read More
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects about 1.5% of British Columbians. The incubation period is usually 6 to 9 weeks. However over 80% of persons acutely infected with HCV are asymptomatic and may have undiagnosed... Read More