World Hepatitis Day 2022

The World Health organization (WHO) wants to bring hepatitis care closer to the primary health facilities and communities. They want people to have better access to treatment and care, no matter what type of hepatitis they may have. The WHO have a goal of eliminating hepatitis by 2030 and in order to achieve this they are calling on all countries to help achieve specific targets such as:  

  • Reducing new infections of hepatitis B and C by 90%; 
  • Reducing hepatitis related deaths from liver cirrhosis and cancer by 65%;
  • At least 90% of people with hepatitis B and C virus should be diagnosed; and 
  • At least 80% of those eligible should receive appropriate treatment.

The theme for World Hepatitis Day 2022 is ‘I can’t wait’ as it serves to highlight the urgency and importance of testing and treatment for the real people who need it. 

Elsevier,

eClinicalMedicine, Volume 48, June 2022

Background: Abatacept is a selective T-cell costimulation modulator approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. Reports were recently published on hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) in patients who were treated with abatacept. However, the literature is limited to case reports and series, and no study has investigated the relationship between HBVr and abatacept using extensive population-based databases.

Elsevier, Digestive and Liver Disease, Volume 54, June 2022
Patients with liver diseases, especially those with cirrhosis, have an increased mortality risk when infected by SARS-CoV-2 and therefore anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has been recommended by leading Scientific Associations for all patients with chronic liver diseases. However, previous reports have shown a reduced antibody response following the full course of vaccination in immunosuppressed patients, including liver transplant recipients and several rheumatic diseases.
Elsevier, eClinicalMedicine, Volume 46, April 2022
Background: In autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), clinical practice and treatment guidelines frequently diverge as a reflection of disease heterogeneity and challenges in achieving standardised care. We sought to explore the utility of multiparametric (mp) MR in patients with AIH, and the impact of this technology on physicians’ decision making and intended patient management. Methods: 82 AIH patients, recruited from two sites between June and November 2019 as part of an observational cohort study, underwent non-contrast MRI alongside their standard clinical investigations.
Elsevier, The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, Volume 8, April 2022
Background: Hepatitis C is a preventable and treatable disease that has been declared a public health problem. In 2012, the prevalence of HCV serum anti-bodies in the Mexican adult population aged 20 to 49 years was 0·30%. Methods: We randomly selected a probabilistic sub-sample of 12,389 adults (20+ years) from adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2018 who provided a venous blood sample. Anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA were determined for this sub-sample.
Elsevier, JHEP Reports, Volume 4, April 2022
Background & Aims: HBV infects over 257 million people worldwide and is associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Integration of HBV DNA into the host genome is likely a key driver of HCC oncogenesis. Here, we utilise targeted long-read sequencing to determine the structure of HBV DNA integrations as well as full isoform information of HBV mRNA with more accurate quantification than traditional next generation sequencing platforms. Methods: DNA and RNA were isolated from fresh frozen liver biopsies collected within the GS-US-174-0149 clinical trial.
graphical abstract from Influence of hepatitis C viral parameters on pregnancy complications and risk of mother-to-child transmission
Elsevier,

Journal of Hepatology, 2022, in press

Hepatitis C has increased in women of childbearing age and has important implications in women who become pregnant and their infants. The effect that hepatitis C has on pregnancy outcomes was evaluated as well as the rate of hepatitis C transmission to infants in a large database with linked mother-infant records. It was found that active hepatitis C during pregnancy increased the risk of pregnancy complications. Also identified were very low rates of testing of infants born to mothers with hepatitis C but found higher rates of hepatitis C transmission to infants in mothers with higher virus levels.
Elsevier, The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, Volume 7, March 2022
Background: Many residents of the Bronx are from West Africa where chronic hepatitis B is endemic. Hepatitis B screening is low in West African immigrant communities due to multiple possible cultural and socioeconomic factors. Methods: A culturally sensitive educational program on hepatitis B with a special emphasis on the relevance for the West African community was developed.
Elsevier, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Volume 97, March 2022
Objective: To develop a new scoring system that more accurately predicts 30-day mortality in patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH). Methods: A cohort of consecutive adults diagnosed with AH at a single academic center from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2018, was identified for model derivation. Multivariate logistic regression was used to create a new scoring system to predict 30-day mortality. External validation of this score was performed on a multicenter retrospective cohort. Results: In the derivation cohort of 266 patients, the 30-day mortality rate was 19.2%.
Elsevier, The Lancet Public Health, Volume 7, February 2022
Background: A considerable proportion of people who inject drugs are unstably housed. Although unstable housing is associated with HIV and HCV infection among people who inject drugs, its contribution to transmission is unknown. We estimated the global and national proportions of incident HIV and HCV infections among people who inject drugs attributed to housing instability from 2020 to 2029.

Pages