Journal of Viral Hepatitis最新文献

HCV infection poses a global health threat, with significant morbidity and mortality. This study examines HCV trends in a large Italian region from 2015 to 2022, considering demographic changes, evolving clinical profiles, treatment regimens and outcomes, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This multicentre retrospective study analysed demographics, clinical histories and risk factors in 6882 HCV patients. The study spanned before and after the direct-acting antiviral (DAA) era, and the COVID-19 period, focusing on treatment outcomes (SVR12, non-SVR12 and patients lost to follow-up). Statistical methods included ANOVA, multinomial logistic regression, Kruskal–Wallis test and chi-square analysis, and were conducted adhering to the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. The cohort, mainly Italian males (average age 58.88), showed Genotype 1 dominance (56.6%) and a high SVR12 rate (97.5%). The pandemic increased follow-up losses, yet SVR12 rates remained stable, influenced by factors like age, gender, cirrhosis and comorbidities. Despite COVID-19 challenges, the region sustained high SVR12 rates in HCV care, emphasising the importance of sustained efforts in HCV care. Continuous screening and targeted interventions in high-risk populations are crucial for achieving WHO elimination targets. The study highlights the resilience of HCV care during the pandemic and provides insights for future public health strategies.

Pakistan harbours a large burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We utilised repeat sero-surveys to assess progress achieved towards hepatitis elimination in Pakistan. Multilevel logistic regression evaluated the change in HBV infection (HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive) prevalence and HCV exposure (HCV antibody (HCV-Ab)-positive) prevalence between two sero-surveys from 2007 and 2019 for Sindh province and associated risk factors. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were estimated and population-attributable fractions (PAF) for modifiable risk factors for HCV exposure. The 2007 and 2019 surveys included 8855 and 6672 individuals. HBsAg prevalence decreased from 2.6% (95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 2.2–2.9) in 2007 to 1.1% (95% CI: 0.8–1.3) in 2019, while HCV-Ab prevalence increased from 5.1% (95% CI: 4.6%–5.5%) to 6.2% (95% CI: 5.6%–6.8%). The age and gender-adjusted HBsAg prevalence decreased by 80% (aOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1–0.4) among children and 60% (aOR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3–0.6) among adults over 2007–2019, while HCV-Ab prevalence decreased by 60% (aOR = 0.4, 95%CI:0.2–0.7) in children and increased by 40% (aOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2–1.7) in adults. HCV-Ab prevalence was lower in adults with secondary (aOR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.5–0.8) and higher (aOR = 0.5, 95%CI:0.3–0.8) education compared to illiterates and higher among adults reporting blood transfusion (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2–2.4), family history of hepatitis (aOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.9–3.3), past year medical injection (aOR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.6–2.7), being tattooed (aOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0–1.9) and shaved by traditional barber (aOR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0–1.5). Modifiable risk factors accounted for 45% of HCV exposure, with medical injection(s) accounting for 38% (95%CI,25.7–48.4%). Overall HCV has increased over 2007–2019 in Sindh province, while HBV prevalence has decreased. Medical injections should be an important focus of prevention activities.

Recent studies suggested that successful clearance of chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) by using direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents could improve glycemic control in patients with diabetes; however, some studies failed to identify this benefit. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of sustained virologic response (SVR) after treatment with DAA agents on glycemic control. Embase, Scopus and PubMed were searched through March 26th, 2023, for all studies evaluating whether eradication of HCV infection with DAAs is associated with an impact on glycemic control. Only studies with data on glycemic control, including haemoglobin A₁c (HbA₁c), fasting glucose, or Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), at least 12-week post-SVR were included. Sixteen studies met our eligibility criteria and were included in qualitative analysis. The mean HbA₁c was 8.05% (95% CI: 7.79%–8.31%) before treatment and 7.19% (95% CI: 6.98%–7.39%) after treatment. There was a significant mean absolute reduction in HbA1c of 0.72% (95% CI: 0.52%–0.93%) with high heterogeneity between studies (I² = 91.7%). The reduction in HbA1c remained significant in the subgroup analysis at 3 months follow up post SVR [0.74% (95% CI: 0.57%–0.91%)] and at least 6 months follow up [0.66% (95% CI: 0.23%–1.10%)]. We found a significant reduction in HbA₁C after SVR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, reflecting better glycemic control with HCV eradication. This data highlights an important extrahepatic benefit of HCV eradication.

About 80% of persons with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the United States are non-US-born. Despite improvements in infant hepatitis B vaccination globally since 2000, work remains to attain the World Health Organization's (WHO) global 2030 goal of 90% vaccination. We explore the impacts on the United States of global progress in hepatitis B vaccination since 2000 and of achieving WHO hepatitis B vaccination goals. We simulated immigrants with HBV infection arriving to the United States from 2000 to 2070 using models of the 10 countries from which the largest numbers of individuals with HBV infection were born. We estimated costs in the United States among these cohorts using a disease simulation model. We simulated three scenarios: a scenario with no progress in infant vaccination for hepatitis B since 2000 (baseline), current (2020) progress and achieving WHO 2030 goals for hepatitis B vaccination. We estimate current hepatitis B vaccination progress since the 2000 baseline in these 10 countries will lead to 468,686 fewer HBV infections, avoid 35,582 hepatitis B-related deaths and save $4.2 billion in the United States through 2070. Achieving the WHO 2030 90% hepatitis B infant vaccination targets could lead to an additional 16,762 fewer HBV infections, 989 fewer hepatitis B-related deaths and save $143 million through 2070. Global hepatitis B vaccination since 2000 reduced prevalence of HBV infection in the United States. Achieving the WHO 2030 infant vaccination goals globally could lead to over one hundred million dollars in additional savings.

Screening for viral hepatitis is considered a high-priority area in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Yet, few studies have examined viral hepatitis screening test use among low-income veterans who are considered high-risk with limited healthcare access. Using cross-sectional data from 933 participants in the 2021–2022 National Veteran Homeless and Other Poverty Experiences (NV-HOPE) study, we examined rates and correlates of lifetime screening for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated characteristics associated with HBV/HCV screening. Nearly 16% and 21% reported lifetime HBV and HCV screening, respectively. These rates are considerably lower than HBV (47.3%) and HCV (92.9%) screening rates documented among contemporaneous veterans in VHA electronic health records. In the NV-HOPE data, veterans 50–79 years were more likely than those ≥80 years of age to ever-screen for HBV/HCV. Whereas, household income was inversely related to lifetime screening behaviours, veterans reporting ‘other’ employment types (vs. full-time/part-time employment) were more likely to ever-screen for HBV/HCV. Ever-screening for HBV was more likely among veterans reporting non-Hispanic ‘other’ (vs. non-Hispanic ‘white’) race, housing instability, Medicaid insurance, as well as drug use and cognitive disorder histories. Living with ≥5 members (vs. alone), histories of alcohol use, cancer, and liver disorders were also correlated with ever-screening for HCV. HIV/AIDS history correlated with ever-screening for HBV/HCV. In conclusion, fewer than one-third of low-income US veterans ever-screened for HBV/HCV, with lower screening rates among those less likely to be exposed to viral hepatitis, thereby informing interventions aimed at promoting available screening, treatment and vaccinations for HBV/HCV.

We assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance among individuals with HCV diagnosed with cirrhosis in British Columbia (BC), Canada. We used data from the British Columbia Hepatitis Testers Cohort (BC-HTC), including all individuals in the province tested for or diagnosed with HCV from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2015, to assess HCC surveillance. To analyse the impact of the pandemic on HCC surveillance, we used pre-policy (January 2018 to February 2020) and post-policy (March to December 2020) periods. We conducted interrupted time series (ITS) analysis using a segmented linear regression model and included first-order autocorrelation terms. From January 2018 to December 2020, 6546 HCC screenings were performed among 3429 individuals with HCV and cirrhosis. The ITS model showed an immediate decrease in HCC screenings in March and April 2020, with an overall level change of −71 screenings [95% confidence interval (CI): −105.9, −18.9]. We observed a significant decrease in HCC surveillance among study participants, regardless of HCV treatment status and age group, with the sharpest decrease among untreated HCV patients. A recovery of HCC surveillance followed this decline, reflected in an increasing trend of 7.8 screenings (95% CI: 0.6, 13.5) per month during the post-policy period. There was no level or trend change in the number of individuals diagnosed with HCC. We observed a sharp decline in HCC surveillance among people living with HCV and cirrhosis in BC following the COVID-19 pandemic control measures. HCC screening returned to pre-pandemic levels by mid-2020.

The understanding of viral transcription and replication activity in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with low-level viraemia (LLV) or previous low-level viraemia (pre-LLV) remains unclear. Our aim was to evaluate and compare circulating hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA levels in these patient groups with those achieving maintained virological response (MVR). This cross-sectional study included 147 patients: 43 in the LLV group, 25 in the pre-LLV group and 79 in the MVR group. Serum HBV RNA levels were assessed using specific RNA target capture combined with simultaneous amplification and testing method. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics between groups. Median HBV RNA levels were 6.9 copies/mL in the LLV group, 6.1 copies/mL in the pre-LLV group and 3.8 copies/mL in the MVR group. After PSM, significantly higher HBV RNA levels were observed in the LLV group compared to the MVR group (p < .001), and the pre-LLV group also showed higher HBV RNA levels than the MVR group (p < .001). Both LLV and pre-LLV HBeAg-positive CHB patients exhibited elevated circulating HBV RNA levels compared to those achieving MVR.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an ancient virus that has evolved unique strategies to persist as a chronic infection in humans. Here, I summarize the innate and adaptive features of the HBV-host interaction, and I discuss how different profiles of antiviral immunity cannot be predicted only on the basis of virological and clinical parameters.

This paper investigates linkage to care following community-based screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) in rural Senegal. HBV-positive participants who completed a biological and clinical examination to assess liver disease and treatment eligibility were referred to a regional hospital (if eligible for treatment), invited to join the Sen-B research cohort study (adults with detectable viral load) or referred to their local health centre (all others). Logistic regressions were conducted to investigate factors associated with (i) uptake of the scheduled post-screening examination, and (ii) HBV management initiation. Obstacles to HBV management were identified using thematic analysis of in-depth patient interviews. Of the 206 HBV-positive participants, 163 (79.1%) underwent the examination; 47 of the 163 (28.8%) initiated HBV management. Women, people not migrating for >6 months/year, individuals living in households with more agricultural and monetary resources, with other HBV-positive participants, and beneficiaries of the national cash transfer program, were all more likely to undergo the examination. The likelihood of joining the Sen-B cohort increased with household monetary resources, but decreased with agricultural resources. Initiation of HBV management in local health centre was higher among participants with a non-agricultural economic activity. Individuals reported wariness and confusion about HBV management content and rationale at various stages of the care continuum, in particular with respect to venous blood sampling and management without treatment. In conclusion, HBV community-based test-and-treat strategies are feasible, but early loss to follow-up must be addressed through simplified, affordable management and community support and sensitization.