Journal of Viral Hepatitis最新文献

{"title":"Investigating linkage to care following community-based screening for hepatitis B virus in rural Senegal: A mixed methods study","authors":"Marion Coste,&nbsp;Assane Diouf,&nbsp;Cilor Ndong,&nbsp;Aissatou Diouf,&nbsp;Lauren Périères,&nbsp;Marie Libérée Nishimwe,&nbsp;Morgane Bureau,&nbsp;Assane Ndiaye,&nbsp;Gwenaëlle Maradan,&nbsp;Aldiouma Diallo,&nbsp;Sylvie Boyer,&nbsp;For the AmBASS study group","doi":"10.1111/jvh.13977","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.13977","url":null,"abstract":"<p>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 &gt;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.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"31 9","pages":"544-556"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvh.13977","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141261725","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":"Network-based strategies to combat HCV: Examining social and spatial drivers of transmission among PWID in New Delhi","authors":"Steven J. Clipman,&nbsp;Shruti H. Mehta,&nbsp;Shobha Mohapatra,&nbsp;Aylur K. Srikrishnan,&nbsp;Katie J. C. Zook,&nbsp;Muniratnam Suresh Kumar,&nbsp;Gregory M. Lucas,&nbsp;Carl A. Latkin,&nbsp;Sunil S. Solomon","doi":"10.1111/jvh.13960","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.13960","url":null,"abstract":"<p>People who inject drugs (PWID) account for some of the fastest-growing HCV epidemics globally. While individual risk factors for infection are understood, less is known about network and spatial factors critical for elimination strategies. Two thousand five hundred twelve PWID in New Delhi, India, were recruited (2017–19) through network referrals. Biometrics identified duplicates and cross-network linkages. Participants completed semi-annual surveys and blood tests for HCV antibodies and RNA. Poisson regression and network analyses identified predictors of incident HCV and compared network-based intervention approaches. Baseline HCV antibody prevalence was 65.1%, of whom 79.6% were HCV RNA-positive. We observed 92 HCV seroconversions over 382.25 person-years (incidence: 24.1 per 100 person-years). Of the 92 seroconverters, 67% (62) were directly connected to an RNA-positive participant, and all were within one degree of separation from an RNA-positive participant. Individual-level factors associated with seroconversion included age, sexual activity, and injection behaviours. After adjusting for individual-level factors, seroconversion was significantly associated with number of RNA-positive partners (adjusted incidence rate ratio [AIRR] = 1.30) and injecting at a particular venue (AIRR = 2.53). This association extended to indirect ties, with 17% reduced odds of seroconversion for each degree of separation from the venue (AIRR = 0.83). Network analyses comparing intervention strategies found that targeting venues identified more cases compared to a treat-a-friend approach. We observed a fast-growing HCV epidemic driven by viremia within individuals' immediate networks and indirect social and spatial ties, demonstrating the importance of achieving broad, sustained virologic response and rethinking network-based interventions to include venues.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"31 9","pages":"535-543"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141261745","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":"Towards hepatitis C virus elimination in Iran: A blueprint for comprehensive strategies","authors":"SeyedehFatemeh Mousavi,&nbsp;Maryam Alavi,&nbsp;Alireza Delavari,&nbsp;Hossein Poustchi,&nbsp;Zahra Mohammadi,&nbsp;Reza Malekzadeh","doi":"10.1111/jvh.13975","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.13975","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The hepatitis C virus (HCV) continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Iran, mirroring a worldwide concern. This situation calls for a cohesive strategy that aligns with the World Health Organization's (WHO) goals for HCV elimination by 2030. Central to this strategy is targeting high-risk groups, notably people who inject drugs and prisoners, with prevention, screening and treatment. The deployment of point-of-care testing and treatments in prisons and harm reduction facilities is vital. The adoption of cost-effective generic direct-acting antivirals represents a major step forward. Furthermore, innovative educational initiatives for healthcare providers and awareness campaigns for the public are critical. Additionally, tackling stigma, ensuring treatment affordability and upholding strict surveillance and data management, coupled with ongoing policy reviews, are vital components. This comprehensive and integrated approach is designed to drive Iran towards eliminating HCV and can serve as a blueprint for other countries with similar challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"31 9","pages":"565-572"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141237952","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":"Genetic substructure and host-specific natural selection trend across vaccine-candidate ORF-2 capsid protein of hepatitis-E virus","authors":"Nasir Khan,&nbsp;Sehrish Kakakhel,&nbsp;Abdul Malik,&nbsp;Kiran Nigar,&nbsp;Suhail Akhtar,&nbsp;Azmat Ali Khan,&nbsp;Asifullah Khan","doi":"10.1111/jvh.13959","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.13959","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Hepatitis E virus is a primary cause of acute hepatitis worldwide. The present study attempts to assess the genetic variability and evolutionary divergence among HEV genotypes. A vaccine promising capsid-protein coding ORF-2 gene sequences of HEV was evaluated using phylogenetics, model-based population genetic methods and principal component analysis. The analyses unveiled nine distinct clusters as subpopulations for six HEV genotypes. HEV-3 genotype samples stratified into four different subgroups, while HEV-4 stratified into three additional subclusters. Rabbit-infectious HEV-3ra samples constitute a distinct cluster. Pairwise analysis identified marked genetic distinction of HEV-4c and HEV-4i subgenotypes compared to other genotypes. Numerous admixed, inter and intragenotype recombinant strains were detected. The MEME method identified several ORF-2 codon sites under positive selection. Some selection signatures lead to amino acid substitutions within ORF-2, resulting in altered physicochemical features. Moreover, a pattern of host-specific adaptive signatures was identified among HEV genotypes. The analyses conclusively depict that recombination and episodic positive selection events have shaped the observed genetic diversity among different HEV genotypes. The significant genetic diversity and stratification of HEV-3 and HEV-4 genotypes into subgroups, as identified in the current study, are noteworthy and may have implications for the efficacy of anti-HEV vaccines.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"31 9","pages":"524-534"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141158481","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":"Peer support for people living with hepatitis B virus—A foundation for treatment expansion","authors":"Louise O. Downs,&nbsp;Kenneth Kabagambe,&nbsp;Sarah Williams,&nbsp;Elizabeth Waddilove,&nbsp;Marion Delphin,&nbsp;Sheila F. Lumley,&nbsp;Richard Ndungutse,&nbsp;Beatrice Kimono,&nbsp;Robert Newton,&nbsp;Joy Ko,&nbsp;Emily Martyn,&nbsp;Jessica Carter,&nbsp;Agnieszka Kemper,&nbsp;Fernando Monteiro,&nbsp;Sive O'Regan,&nbsp;Julian Surey,&nbsp;Binta Sultan,&nbsp;Alistair Story,&nbsp;Douglas MacDonald,&nbsp;Thomas Tu,&nbsp;Janet Seeley,&nbsp;Geoffrey Dusheiko,&nbsp;Tongai Maponga,&nbsp;Monique I. Andersson,&nbsp;C. Wendy Spearman,&nbsp;Joseph D. Tucker,&nbsp;Chari Cohen,&nbsp;Su Wang,&nbsp;Danjuma Adda,&nbsp;Catherine Freeland,&nbsp;Rachel Halford,&nbsp;Kathryn Jack,&nbsp;Indrajit Ghosh,&nbsp;Ahmed M. Elsharkawy,&nbsp;Philippa C. Matthews,&nbsp;Stuart Flanagan","doi":"10.1111/jvh.13952","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.13952","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) affects 300 million people worldwide and is being targeted by the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), working towards elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) as a public health threat. In this piece, we explore the evidence and potential impact of peer support to enhance and promote interventions for people living with CHB. Peer support workers (PSWs) are those with lived experience of an infection, condition or situation who work to provide support for others, aiming to improve education, prevention, treatment and other clinical interventions and to reduce the physical, psychological and social impacts of disease. Peer support has been shown to be a valuable tool for improving health outcomes for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), but to date has not been widely available for communities affected by HBV. HBV disproportionately affects vulnerable and marginalised populations, who could benefit from PSWs to help them navigate complicated systems and provide advocacy, tackle stigma, improve education and representation, and optimise access to treatment and continuity of care. The scale up of peer support must provide structured and supportive career pathways for PSWs, account for social and cultural needs of different communities, adapt to differing healthcare systems and provide flexibility in approaches to care. Investment in peer support for people living with CHB could increase diagnosis, improve retention in care, and support design and roll out of interventions that can contribute to global elimination goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"31 8","pages":"490-499"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvh.13952","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141154729","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":"Global elimination of HBV: Is it really achievable?","authors":"Erwan Vo-Quang, Maud Lemoine","doi":"10.1111/jvh.13955","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvh.13955","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of premature death worldwide. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for HBV elimination and set up very ambitious elimination targets. The development of effective vaccines, accurate diagnostic tools and safe antiviral drugs make HBV elimination a realistic goal. However, the most constrained-resource regions, which bear the highest burden of HBV, are facing major challenges in implementing strategies to reduce HBV incidence and mortality. Developing simplified approaches adapted to resource-limited settings and scaling up interventions for the prevention and control of HBV globally are urgently needed. Whether HBV elimination will be achieved in an equitable manner and in a reasonable timeframe remains highly uncertain.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141154727","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":"Treatment decisions based on HBV DNA.","authors":"Young-Suk Lim","doi":"10.1111/jvh.13956","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jvh.13956","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The most common cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide is chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (CHB). Long-term suppression of HBV replication by antiviral treatment reduces the risk of HCC and mortality. Nonetheless, only 2.2% of CHB patients globally received the treatment in 2019. Current international CHB guidelines recommend antiviral treatment only in subsets of patients with clear evidence of liver damage as evidenced by elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT). This review aims to provide existing evidence that the risk of HCC is significantly associated with serum levels of HBV DNA, and the association is non-linear parabolic, in both untreated and treated CHB patients, regardless of HBeAg status or ALT levels. Therefore, the decision for the antiviral treatment should be based on serum HBV DNA levels and age, rather than ALT levels or liver biopsy, to reduce or prevent the risk of HCC in CHB patients. The potential impact and cost-effectiveness data on early antiviral treatment initiation were also collated.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141088074","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":"Factors affecting quality of life in hepatitis B patients in Herat, Afghanistan: A case–control study","authors":"Nasar Ahmad Shayan,&nbsp;Ali Rahimi,&nbsp;Saverio Stranges,&nbsp;Amardeep Thind","doi":"10.1111/jvh.13961","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.13961","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Hepatitis B virus is a global health concern with a high death rate in Afghanistan. Limited data exist on the disease's impact on quality of life in low-resource settings. This case–control study aims to identify potential risk factors and assess the quality of life among hepatitis B patients in Herat, Afghanistan, with a focus on sex differences. Understanding these factors can inform prevention, care, and sex-specific interventions. A cross-sectional study conducted at Herat Regional Hospital examined hepatitis B patients above 18 years old, between October 2020 and February 2021. The control group consisted of age and sex-matched individuals without a history of hepatitis B. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, signs and symptoms of hepatitis B, and the SF-36 questionnaire for measuring the quality of life of study participants. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate General Linear Models, and logistic regression. We identified several potential risk factors for hepatitis B infection, including male sex, younger age groups, tobacco use, lower education levels, rural residence, family history, weak social networks, specific family structures and underlying chronic diseases (<i>p</i> &lt; .05). The study found that hepatitis B cases had significantly lower mean scores across all SF-36 components, indicating an overall reduced quality of life (<i>p</i> &lt; .05). These differences were more pronounced in males, although females had lower scores in most components. Role limitations due to physical and emotional health were particularly affected. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, sex-specific strategies, improved healthcare access and comprehensive policies. These findings can inform prevention efforts to improve the overall quality of life of people with hepatitis B in Afghanistan.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"31 9","pages":"511-523"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvh.13961","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141088072","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":"A novel test and treat program for hepatitis C virus infection utilizing HCV core antigen testing, among police and general population, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2022","authors":"Huma Qureshi,&nbsp;Hassan Mahmood,&nbsp;Zubair Nasir,&nbsp;Saad Siddique,&nbsp;Francisco Averhoff,&nbsp;Gavin Cloherty","doi":"10.1111/jvh.13953","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.13953","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Hepatitis C virus core antigen (HCVcAg) testing can simplify and decrease costs of HCV infection confirmation compared to molecular testing (nucleic acid testing). We piloted HCVcAg testing for the confirmation of active infection. The study was conducted during June through December 2022 among the police and the general population of Islamabad, Pakistan age 18 years and older. Initial screening for HCV antibody was conducted using a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for all consenting participants. Those who tested positive had venous blood samples tested for HCVcAg, platelets and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Persons with HCVcAg values ≥3 fmol/L were defined as viremic, and they were offered treatment with direct acting antiviral (DAA) medications, sofosbuvir and daclatasvir. Aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) was calculated for each HCV infected person, and those with an APRI score &lt;1.5 received treatment for 12 weeks, while those with APRI ≥ to 1.5 received 24 weeks of treatment. A total of 15,628 persons were screened for anti-HCV using RDT and 643 (4.1%) tested positive. HCVcAg values of ≥3 fmol/L was found in 399/643 (62.1%), and all were offered and accepted treatment. Of those treated, 273/399 (68.4%) returned for a follow-up SVR and HCVcAg was not detected in 261/273, a 95.6% cure rate. The pilot study demonstrated the effectiveness of reaching and treating an urban population using RDT for screening and HCVcAg for confirmation of infection and test of cure.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"31 8","pages":"500-503"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jvh.13953","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141070931","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":"Current research insights into the role of CTLA-4 in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection","authors":"Qi Gu,&nbsp;Shengxia Yin,&nbsp;Xin Tong,&nbsp;Fajuan Rui,&nbsp;Yixuan Zhu,&nbsp;Xiaoyan Ma,&nbsp;Rui Huang,&nbsp;Chao Wu,&nbsp;Jie Li","doi":"10.1111/jvh.13958","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jvh.13958","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global public health concern, and the clearance of HBV is closely linked to the activity of HBV-specific T cells, which is regulated by various co-suppressor molecules. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is among these co-suppressor molecules which induces T cell exhaustion by competitively inhibiting CD28 and dampening the function of HBV-specific T cells. CTLA-4 also plays a role in the regulation of T helper (Th) cell differentiation and influences cytokine release. In addition, CTLA-4 can impact glucose metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma through its interaction with T regulatory (Treg) cells. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature related to the role of CTLA-4 in HBV patients across different subsets of T cells. Additionally, we propose a discussion on the possible mechanisms through which CTLA-4 may contribute to HBV infection, as well as the development of HBV-induced cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.</p>","PeriodicalId":17762,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Viral Hepatitis","volume":"31 9","pages":"557-564"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141070946","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}