Journal of Viral Hepatitis最新文献

{"title":"Characterising Hepatitis D Virus in the UK From 2011 to 2021","authors":"R. Simmons,&nbsp;S. Ijaz,&nbsp;R. Jackson,&nbsp;K. Jack,&nbsp;R. Mulongeni,&nbsp;R. Raghu,&nbsp;A. Riddell,&nbsp;A. Elsharkawy,&nbsp;A. Uriel,&nbsp;A. Koffas,&nbsp;A. Chaika,&nbsp;A. Lawson,&nbsp;A. Cole,&nbsp;A. McEwan,&nbsp;A. Brown,&nbsp;B. Stone,&nbsp;C. Levick,&nbsp;D. Byrne,&nbsp;D. Forton,&nbsp;D. MacDonald,&nbsp;D. Forde,&nbsp;E. Nastouli,&nbsp;E. Barnes,&nbsp;E. Sumner,&nbsp;E. Page,&nbsp;I. Carey,&nbsp;F. J. Vilar,&nbsp;J. Maggs,&nbsp;J. Collier,&nbsp;J. Shepherd,&nbsp;K. Agarwal,&nbsp;K. Bicknell,&nbsp;K. Ala,&nbsp;K. Dear,&nbsp;L. Ratcliffe,&nbsp;M. Bruce,&nbsp;H. Zhang,&nbsp;L. Rivett,&nbsp;M. Maes,&nbsp;M. Ankcorn,&nbsp;M. Aldersley,&nbsp;M. Prince,&nbsp;M. Lemoine,&nbsp;M. Foxton,&nbsp;M. Wright,&nbsp;M. Cramp,&nbsp;M. Wiselka,&nbsp;N. Easom,&nbsp;P. Richardson,&nbsp;R. Gunson,&nbsp;R. Herbert,&nbsp;R. Blackwell,&nbsp;R. Jelley,&nbsp;R. Aspinall,&nbsp;R. Simpson,&nbsp;R. Clewes,&nbsp;S. Ahmad,&nbsp;S. Mcpherson,&nbsp;S. Ryder,&nbsp;S. Verma,&nbsp;T. Lampejo,&nbsp;V. Sathyanarayana,&nbsp;W. Gelson,&nbsp;D. Leeman,&nbsp;M. Desai,&nbsp;S. Mandal,&nbsp;P. T. Kennedy,&nbsp;W. L. Irving","doi":"10.1111/jvh.70205","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.70205","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Little is known about hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis D virus (HDV) coinfection in the UK. HDV screening is recommended among all individuals with HBV, with coinfection associated with increased disease progression. Using data on HDV testing, shared by 11 laboratories in the UK who reported undertaking HDV testing, and national testing data for HBV we established a cohort of individuals tested for HDV, investigating testing pathways, describing characteristics and outcomes of those HDV-RNA positive to inform targeted interventions for testing, diagnosis and linkage to care. Demographic information, clinical assessments, treatment and recent laboratory results from NHS trusts, and through linkage to national healthcare datasets was collected for HDV-RNA positive individuals. Between 2011 and 2021, 42% of individuals newly diagnosed with HBV in England were linked to an HDV test. Anti-HDV positivity was 5.0%, 55.8% were HDV-RNA tested and 45.7% were ever HDV-RNA positive. HDV-RNA positivity in the absence of an anti-HDV result was 6.4%. Among individuals who were HDV-RNA positive, 94.3% were non-UK born, with 24 different primary languages reported, 49% had evidence of treatment, and 48% had evidence of cirrhosis. 10% had died of which 58.4% died of liver disease. In conclusion, our findings indicate that HDV testing in HBV positive individuals in the UK is sub-optimal against testing guidelines, including RNA testing among those who are anti-HDV positive. Considerable work is needed to improve the patient care pathway, to ensure patients are appropriately diagnosed, linked and retained in care, with adequate access to treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13454316/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148701652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Cameroon: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis","authors":"Iya Maliki,&nbsp;Edward J. D. Webb,&nbsp;Rose Armelle Ada,&nbsp;Bryony Dawkins,&nbsp;Aaron G. Lim","doi":"10.1111/jvh.70219","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.70219","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health problem, and many regions of Sub-Saharan Africa are disproportionately affected, including Cameroon, where prevalence has previously been shown to be high. This study aimed to provide up-to-date estimates of HBV prevalence in Cameroon. We searched Medline, Global Health, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Africa Index Medicus and the Journal of Health Science and Disease at the University of Yaounde. We included studies reporting HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence in the general population and subpopulations. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to generate pooled estimates of HBsAg prevalence, overall and for population subgroups including those considered at relatively higher-risk and relatively lower-risk of HBV infection. Heterogeneity was assessed using the index of heterogeneity (<i>I</i>^<i>2</i>). Quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. Out of 1236 records, 92 papers with 100 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Overall prevalence of HBV in Cameroon was 9.98% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.00–11.02) with high heterogeneity (<i>I</i>^<i>2</i> <i>= 98.10%</i>)<i>.</i> The prevalences for relatively lower-risk and higher-risk populations were8.94% (95% CI 7.84–10.11) and 12.70% (95% CI 10.28–15.32), respectively. In subgroup analyses, we found that sex, geographical area (regions), population risk groups and study design were the main sources of heterogeneity. Overall, HBV prevalence remains high in Cameroon. Our findings suggest an urgent need for health interventions to halt the spread of the disease, with particular attention needed for males and regions with the highest prevalence.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13439727/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148673680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validation of a Point-Of-Care Ultrasound for Hepatitis Among Front-Line Healthcare Workers Managing Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Zambia","authors":"Costanza Bertoni,&nbsp;Annie Kanunga,&nbsp;Edford Sinkala,&nbsp;Enock Syabbalo,&nbsp;Helen Chitundu,&nbsp;Alick Chikwezi,&nbsp;Carolyn Chibundi,&nbsp;Guy K. Muula,&nbsp;Samuel Bosomprah,&nbsp;Nicolò Capra,&nbsp;Riccardo Lolatto,&nbsp;Giulia Morsica,&nbsp;Antonella Castagna,&nbsp;Claudia Wallrauch,&nbsp;Tom Heller,&nbsp;Michael J. Vinikoor","doi":"10.1111/jvh.70216","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.70216","url":null,"abstract":"<p>To close gaps in implementing care of people with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in resource-limited settings, we evaluated the accuracy of a novel liver point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) protocol for hepatitis (PUSH) among front-line non-radiology healthcare workers in Zambia. At University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, from March to June 2024, we trained four nurses and six physicians with experience in HBV management, but not in ultrasound (US), in the PUSH protocol, which includes visualizing the liver in three windows (epigastric, subcostal and right transcostal) to identify cirrhosis-suggestive features and liver lesions suspicious for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Then, consecutive adult participants with chronic hepatitis B (PWHB) alone or HBV/HIV coinfection underwent PUSH with operators blinded to clinical data. We evaluated the accuracy of PUSH for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis using transient elastography (TE) as the reference standard test (RST) and for liver lesions that were possible HCC using a comprehensive abdominal ultrasound by an experienced radiographer as the RST. Nonparametric analysis of the receiver operating curve (ROC) for PUSH was adjusted for operator type (doctor vs. nurse), sex and HIV status. Among 197 PWHBs analysed, 69.5% were taking HBV antivirals and 27.9% had HBV/HIV. According to RSTs, 17.7% of PWHBs had significant fibrosis, 11.6% had cirrhosis and 3.5% had liver lesions. PUSH had low accuracy for significant fibrosis, with sensitivity of 8.3% (17.5–41.4), specificity of 100.0% (96.1–100) and an area under the curve (AUROC) of 0.54 (0.43–0.65), moderate accuracy for cirrhosis, with sensitivity of 60.9% (38.5–80.3), specificity of 97.7% (94.2–99.4) and AUROC of 0.79 (0.69–0.89), and higher accuracy for liver lesions, with 85.7% (42.1–99.6) sensitivity, 98.4% (95.5–99.7) specificity, AUROC of 0.92 (0.78–1.00). After an expedited training, front-line nurses and physicians treating HBV in Zambia were able to use PUSH to diagnose cirrhosis with moderate accuracy and liver lesions with high accuracy, although confidence intervals around performance estimates were wide. Liver POCUS including PUSH may be useful in HBV management when laboratory systems and TE are lacking.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13433814/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148669157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Impact of Chronic Hepatitis D Virus Infection on Health-Related Quality of Life and Fatigue: A Real-World International Study","authors":"P. Lampertico,&nbsp;R. G. Gish,&nbsp;N. Reau,&nbsp;H. Wedemeyer,&nbsp;M. Buti,&nbsp;A. Kaushik,&nbsp;A. Yehoshua,&nbsp;C. Burk,&nbsp;L. Mirams,&nbsp;H. Ellis,&nbsp;T. Taylor-Whiteley,&nbsp;M. Rock","doi":"10.1111/jvh.70193","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvh.70193","url":null,"abstract":"<p>As little is known about the disease burden of chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection, this study examined health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and fatigue at different disease stages. This was a real-world quantitative cross-sectional survey of patients in Germany, Italy, Spain and the USA. Patients were recruited via their treating physicians. Patients who had received bulevirtide for hepatitis B or treatment licensed for HDV were excluded. Of 211 patients, 41% were noncirrhotic (<i>F0–F3</i>); 20% had liver cirrhosis with normal function (<i>compensated</i>); 20% had liver cirrhosis (<i>F4</i>) with impaired function (<i>decompensated</i>); 19% had hepatocellular carcinoma (<i>HCC</i>). Mean (standard deviation; SD) age was 54.5 (11.5) years, 75% were male. ANOVA showed a significant decrease (indicating poorer HRQoL) in EQ-5D-3L visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and index values with worsening disease stage and increasing severity (all <i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001). All domain scores of the Hepatitis Quality of Life Questionnaire v2 (except positive wellbeing) worsened with progressing disease and increasing symptom severity (all <i>p</i> ≤ 0.0001). Mean Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) total scores also increased, indicating greater fatigue, with worsening of disease and increasing symptom severity (both <i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001). HDV infection significantly impacts patients' HRQoL and fatigue, particularly for patients at later disease stages. Treatments that slow disease progression, reducing the burden of HDV infection, are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvh.70193","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148647879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differential Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Glycan Isomer Kinetics Between Tenofovir Alafenamide and Entecavir: Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk Stratification in Hepatitis B e Antigen-Positive Patients","authors":"Yuji Kita,&nbsp;Ayato Murata,&nbsp;Hiroki Nago,&nbsp;Masahiro Yamaguchi,&nbsp;Yoko Kato,&nbsp;Rihwa Om,&nbsp;Yuichro Terai,&nbsp;Yuji Ikeda,&nbsp;Sho Sato,&nbsp;Shunsuke Sato,&nbsp;Yuji Shimada,&nbsp;Takuya Genda","doi":"10.1111/jvh.70218","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.70218","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy suppresses hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, but residual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk persists. O-glycosylated hepatitis B surface antigen glycan isomer (HBsAgGi) uniquely reflects virion burden. We evaluated the impact of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) versus entecavir (ETV) on 48-week HBsAgGi kinetics and its utility in stratifying HCC risk in 90 NA-naïve patients (ETV: 73; TAF: 17). A favourable response was defined as a reduction or maintenance of low HBsAgGi levels. TAF independently predicted a favourable response compared with ETV (penalised odds ratio 3.60, <i>p</i> = 0.030). A significant interaction occurred between HBeAg status and HBsAgGi response in relation to HCC development (<i>p</i> = 0.038). In HBeAg-positive patients, a poor response was associated with increased HCC risk (hazard ratio 7.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.96–20.35, <i>p</i> = 0.001); however, the exact magnitude warrants cautious interpretation due to wide CIs. This association was absent in HBeAg-negative cases. Adding HBsAgGi response to the aMAP score improved long-term HCC prediction exclusively in the HBeAg-positive cohort. As the assay targets genotype C-specific O-glycosylation, the findings cannot be generalised to genotypes A, B, or D. In conclusion, on-treatment HBsAgGi response is a specific surrogate marker for stratifying residual HCC risk in HBeAg-positive patients, and TAF is more effective than ETV in inducing these favourable kinetics.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"33 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148604508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevention of HBV Mother-To-Child Transmission (MTCT) Using Targeted HBV Birth Dose, and Treatment of High Viral Load Pregnant Women in Uganda","authors":"Samantha Hall,&nbsp;Ponsiano Ocama,&nbsp;Danielle Leavelle,&nbsp;Julius Kiwanuka,&nbsp;Brian Lwanga,&nbsp;Joan Nankya-Mutyoba,&nbsp;Calvin Q. Pan,&nbsp;Christine Namulindwa,&nbsp;Viola Kasone,&nbsp;Rachel Beyagira,&nbsp;Homie Razavi","doi":"10.1111/jvh.70215","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.70215","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) remains a major challenge in Uganda, where 43% of births occur at home, and access to timely birth dose (BD) vaccination is limited. We evaluated the impact of combining universal three-dose (3D) infant vaccination, targeted BD vaccination, and maternal antiviral treatment for high viral load (HVL) mothers on HBV prevalence among infants. In a prospective 18-month cohort study at five regional maternity hospitals, HIV-negative pregnant women were screened for HBsAg. HBsAg-positive mothers were stratified by HBV DNA into HVL (≥ 20,000 IU/mL), low viral load (LVL), or LVL on treatment. HVL mothers received Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate plus Lamivudine in the third trimester. Infants of HBsAg-positive mothers received BD vaccination within 24 h and the 3D pentavalent series; infants of HBsAg-negative mothers received the 3D series only. All infants were tested for HBsAg at nine months. Of 19,053 mothers screened, 3.46% were HBsAg-positive (<i>n</i> = 660). Among HVL mothers (<i>n</i> = 80), 96.3% initiated antivirals; none of their infants who received both BD and 3D tested HBsAg-positive. Among LVL mothers not on treatment (<i>n</i> = 558), the prevalence of infection at nine months was 0.4% despite full vaccination. No infections occurred among LVL mothers on treatment or among infants of HBsAg-negative mothers. Overall infant HBsAg prevalence was 0.19%, with an adjusted national estimate of 0.02%. Integrating maternal antiviral prophylaxis, targeted BD vaccination, and universal 3D vaccination achieved near-elimination of HBV MTCT in this setting. Nationally scaling this strategy could enable Uganda to meet the WHO target of less than 0.1% infant HBV prevalence before 2030 and serve as a model for other high-burden countries with significant rates of home births.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"33 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvh.70215","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148604412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Absence of Detectable Anti-HDV Antibodies Among HBsAg-Positive Blood Donors, HIV-Infected Individuals and Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B in Sao Paulo, Brazil: Evaluation Using a Rapid Lateral Flow Assay","authors":"Anna S. Nishiya,&nbsp;Cecilia S. Alencar,&nbsp;Michele Soares Gomes Gouvea,&nbsp;Suzane K. Ono,&nbsp;Nanci Alves Salles,&nbsp;Alfredo Mendrone Jr.,&nbsp;Gnimah Eva Gnouamozi,&nbsp;Shirin Nkongolo,&nbsp;Stephan Urban,&nbsp;Raymond F. Schinazi,&nbsp;Leda Bassit","doi":"10.1111/jvh.70217","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.70217","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) infection in HBV-infected individuals is associated with severe clinical outcomes, and screening is recommended in HBsAg-positive patients. We used a rapid lateral flow assay (LFA) to assess anti-HDV antibodies in Brazil, where HDV is highly endemic in the North, while data from the Southeast, particularly São Paulo, remain limited. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study to assess anti-HDV antibodies among 46 HBsAg-positive blood donors at Fundação Pró-Sangue/Hemocentro de São Paulo, 381 patients with chronic hepatitis B from the Central Laboratory Division of HC-FMUSP, and 189 individuals from the Hepatology Clinic of HC-FMUSP (101 HIV-infected and 88 chronically HBV-infected). Anti-HDV antibodies were detected using a validated LFA. Positive controls (<i>n</i> = 24) included samples previously confirmed by ELISA and/or PCR, predominantly infected with HDV genotypes 3 and 8. Among 443,400 blood donations, 48 (0.01%) were positive for at least two HBV markers; of these, 46 were tested for HDV, and all were anti-HDV negative. All 381 patients undergoing HBV viral load monitoring were anti-HDV negative, as were all 189 patients receiving hepatology care, including those with HIV coinfection or advanced liver disease. The LFA correctly identified all control samples positive for both anti-HDV antibodies and HDV RNA. The absence of detectable anti-HDV among diverse at-risk populations in São Paulo is consistent with the low endemicity of HDV infection in southeastern Brazil. These findings, together with the assay's high specificity in HDV RNA-positive controls, support its potential utility as a screening tool for HDV infection in low-prevalence settings.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"33 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148604503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differing Epidemiology of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection, Treatment, and Outcomes Among Migrants and Australian-Born Patients","authors":"Belaynew W. Taye,&nbsp;Patricia C. Valery,&nbsp;Simone I. Strasser,&nbsp;Martin Weltman,&nbsp;Alex J. Thompson,&nbsp;Miriam T. Levy,&nbsp;Barbara Leggett,&nbsp;Amany Zekry,&nbsp;Y. Julian Rong,&nbsp;Marie Sinclair,&nbsp;Jacob George,&nbsp;William Sievert,&nbsp;Gerry MacQuillan,&nbsp;Edmund Tse,&nbsp;Amanda Wade,&nbsp;Wendy Cheng,&nbsp;Stuart K. Roberts,&nbsp;Paul J. Clark","doi":"10.1111/jvh.70211","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.70211","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often falls disproportionately on migrant populations within high-income countries. Differences in health literacy, language, comorbidities, and HCV genotype may influence HCV natural history. 3537 persons including 652 migrants treated for HCV infection with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) (2016–2021) were analysed. We describe the epidemiology of HCV in migrant people compared to Australian-born individuals and examine rates of sustained viral response (SVR), advanced liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and all-cause mortality. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses examined differences by migrant status. At enrolment, Australian-born patients were younger (mean 51.5 vs. 54.2 years; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) and more likely to report injection drug use (<i>p</i> = 0.011), risky alcohol use (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), or opioid replacement therapy (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Among migrants, diabetes (13.9% vs. 10.3%; <i>p</i> = 0.008), hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure (43.3% vs. 29.7%; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), active HBV infection (3.1% vs. 1.6%; <i>p</i> = 0.033), and genotypes 4, 5, and 6 (18.3% vs. 6.6%; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) was more common. Overall SVR rates were comparable (<i>p</i> = 0.69), but SVR rates among migrants with cirrhosis were lower (88.2% vs. 95.2%; <i>p</i> = 0.002). Advanced fibrosis (24.5%), cirrhosis (35.0%), and five-year survival did not differ by migrant status (all <i>p</i> &gt; 0.05). In migrants, genotype 3 was associated with more advanced liver fibrosis (adj-OR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.40–2.06) and cirrhosis (adj-OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.48–2.04; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), relative to Australian-born patients. Genotypes 2, 4 and 6 HCV were not associated with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis (all <i>p</i> &gt; 0.05). In conclusion, migrants experienced equivalent SVR and rates of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, and have equivalent or better survival compared to Australian-born patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"33 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13400885/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148584497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Silent Burden of Hepatitis B-Related Stigma","authors":"Verity Smith,&nbsp;Menita Asriah,&nbsp;Katherine Fernelius,&nbsp;Joyeta Das,&nbsp;Laura Grant,&nbsp;Vera Gielen,&nbsp;Shannon Keith","doi":"10.1111/jvh.70212","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.70212","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Individuals experiencing stigma related to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection often experience negative self-beliefs, isolation, discrimination, and reduced willingness to engage with healthcare professionals. We aimed to understand the patient perspective of HBV-related stigma and to summarize the patient experience of stigma in a patient-centric conceptual model. Eligible adult participants with a confirmed diagnosis of chronic HBV infection were recruited from the US, China, and Poland. Qualitative, semi-structured, concept elicitation interviews of approximately 60 min were conducted to explore participants' experiences of stigma. Qualitative analysis of interview data was conducted using Thematic Analysis methods with concepts categorized into domains and pre-determined stigma types. A total of 28 participants were recruited from the US (<i>n</i> = 11), China (<i>n</i> = 11), and Poland (<i>n</i> = 6). Internalized stigma was reported by all participants (<i>n</i> = 28; 100%), social stigma was reported by 79% (<i>n</i> = 22) of participants, and institutional stigma was reported by 57% (<i>n</i> = 16) of participants. Seven domains across condition-specific and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) concepts were identified to create a patient-centric conceptual model of the experience of stigma associated with HBV infection. Each domain was reported by at least half of the participants, with social functioning (<i>n</i> = 28; 100%), emotional wellbeing (<i>n</i> = 27; 96%), and HBV transmission (<i>n</i> = 27; 96%) most frequently reported. Experiences of stigma were highly inter-related. Experiences of HBV-related stigma were highly pervasive, with widespread impact on HRQoL. To address the burden of stigma, reducing internalized stigma would be most impactful as this was the most common and bothersome.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"33 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13400884/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148584488","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Exploratory Cost-Utility Analysis of Screening and Treating Immigrants in Canada for Hepatitis D","authors":"Jiahao Zhao,&nbsp;Diedron Lewis,&nbsp;John-Michael Gamble,&nbsp;Zahid A. Butt,&nbsp;William W. L. Wong","doi":"10.1111/jvh.70214","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.70214","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Hepatitis D is common among immigrants in Canada, who account for approximately 23% of the population and tend to originate from high-endemic countries. Mortality rates are notably high among those with chronic infections, and immigrants are less likely to engage in screening and treatment services. This paper aims to assess the cost-utility of screening and treating Hepatitis D Virus (HDV)-positive immigrants in Canada compared with a scenario in which no screening is conducted. This analysis takes a public-payer perspective, uses a lifetime time horizon with a 1.5% annual discount rate, and expresses costs in 2023 Canadian dollars. A state-transition model representing the natural progression of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis D was developed in TreeAge Pro and mapped onto three interventions: screening and treatment with bulevirtide; screening and treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2a; and screening and treatment with both bulevirtide and pegylated interferon alfa-2a. The analysis was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of Canada's Drug Agency. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was estimated for each intervention. Model sensitivity was performed using both univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. All screening and treatment strategies resulted in a reduction in cases of decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver death, with combination therapy demonstrating the most favourable outcomes. Nevertheless, HDV screening and treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2a monotherapy was the only cost-effective strategy (ICER: $23,177/QALY). While monotherapy with pegylated interferon alfa-2a proved cost-effective, combination therapy with bulevirtide is likely more clinically effective and may be cost-effective if treatment costs decrease significantly.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"33 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13381106/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148520664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}