Chronic HBsAg Research Articles

Transmission of Hepatitis B in Newborn Mothers with Positive Hbs in the Csref of Commune V of the District of Bamako

The main cause of chronic HBsAg carriage is mother-to-child transmission. The aim of the study was to determine the epidemiological, clinical and biological aspects of mother-to-child transmission of the hepatitis B virus in newborns of HBsAg-positive mothers. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study which took place from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2021 at the CSREF in Commune V. Sampling was exhaustive, and all newborns whose mothers were carriers of hepatitis B were included in the study. Results: One hundred and twenty newborns out of 3197 referred from the maternity unit, representing a frequency of 3.7% of hepatitis B in pregnant women. Eighty newborns were included. The other 40 were not included because the mothers refused. Among the mothers, 11/80 tested positive for HBeAg and anti-HBs, with 2 positive results (18.18%). Twelve pregnant women had viral load tests, with two positive results (16.66%). Six of the 80 pregnant women had received tenofovir during pregnancy (7.5%), and all the newborns had negative HBsAg results at 4 months of age. Conclusion : Low realization of viral markers of hepatitis B and treatment during pregnancy.

Vaccination Campaign against Hepatitis B Virus in Italy: A History of Successful Achievements.

In Italy, the vaccination campaign against hepatitis B virus has been characterized by two phases. In the first phase (1984-1991), vaccination with plasma-derived vaccines was first recommended for the high-risk group. In the second phase (1991-nowadays), recombinant vaccine targeted, by law, infants 2 months old and teenagers 12 years old (limited to the first 12 years of campaign); screening for HBsAg became compulsory for all pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Successful achievements have been attained: No acute HBV case has been observed in the age group targeted by vaccination, the pool of chronic HBsAg carriers is strongly reduced, perinatal HBV transmission is under control, and acute delta virus hepatitis cases are nearly eliminated. The key point of this success has been the peculiar vaccination policy adopted. The combined vaccination of teenagers has generated an early immune cohort of youths, who are no longer at risk of acquiring HBV infection by sources of exposure (i.e., drug use and unsafe sex practices) typical of the young adults. Vaccination of household contacts with HBsAg-positive subjects represents an area of improvement; providing migrants and refugees access to healthcare services is also a focal point. In 2020, Italy became the first country in Europe to achieve the WHO's regional hepatitis targets.

Interspecies comparison of the early transcriptomic changes associated with hepatitis B virus exposure in human and macaque immune cell populations.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects 300 million individuals worldwide, representing a major factor for the development of hepatic complications. Although existing antivirals are effective in suppressing replication, eradication of HBV is not achieved. Therefore, a multi-faceted approach involving antivirals and immunomodulatory agents is required. Non-human primates are widely used in pre-clinical studies due to their close evolutionary relationship to humans. Nonetheless, it is fundamental to identify the differences in immune response between humans and these models. Thus, we performed a transcriptomic characterization and interspecies comparison of the early immune responses to HBV in human and cynomolgus macaques. We characterized early transcriptomic changes in human and cynomolgus B cells, T cells, myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) exposed to HBV ex vivo for 2 hours. Differentially-expressed genes were further compared to the profiles of HBV-infected patients using publicly-available single-cell data. HBV induced a wide variety of transcriptional changes in all cell types, with common genes between species representing only a small proportion. In particular, interferon gamma signaling was repressed in human pDCs. At the gene level, interferon gamma inducible protein 16 (IFI16) was upregulated in macaque pDCs, while downregulated in humans. Moreover, IFI16 expression in pDCs from chronic HBV-infected patients anti-paralleled serum HBsAg levels. Our characterization of early transcriptomic changes induced by HBV in humans and cynomolgus macaques represents a useful resource for the identification of shared and divergent host responses, as well as potential immune targets against HBV.

HBsAg protein composition and clinical outcomes in chronic hepatitis D and variations across HBeAg-negative chronic HBsAg carriers

HBsAg proteins are useful to identify HBV inactive carriers (ICs), but data on chronic hepatitis D (CHD) are scarce. This study aimed to describe HBsAg composition in CHD, its changes during the evolution, and the potential association with clinical outcomes. In addition, we assess the composition of HBsAg across different HBV genotypes and validate previous results on HBsAg proteins in an independent HBV cohort. Quantitative HBsAg, medium HBsAg proteins (MHBs), and large HBsAg proteins (LHBs) were measured in two cohorts. The first cohort consisted of patients with CHD. A cross-sectional study of samples from two European institutions (N =46) was conducted. Outcomes were assessed in a retrospective-prospective study of those patients with a follow-up of >1 year (n=36), and the longitudinal evolution of HBsAg proteins in those with samples >5 years apart (n=12) was analysed. The second cohort consisted of patients with HBeAg-negative HBV, and a cross-sectional study was performed (N=141). Forty-one (89%) patients with CHD had detectable HDV-RNA, and the presence of HDV-RNA was associated with higher LHBs proportion (p=0.010). Baseline MHBs (p=0.051) and MHBs proportion (p=0.086) tended to be higher in those developing clinical outcomes (9/36, 25%) after a median follow-up of 5.9 years. Patients in which HDV-RNA became spontaneously undetectable during follow-up (5/31, 16.1%) tended to present lower MHBs proportion (p= 0.085). In the longitudinal study, changes in LHBs proportion were observed (p=0.041), whereas MHBs proportion remained stable (p=0.209). Regarding HBV, ICs showed lower LHBs proportion (p=0.027). LHBs and MHBs differed significantly according to HBV genotype, regardless of the HBV phase. Patients with CHD with detectable HDV-RNA presented higher LHBs proportion than those with undetectable HDV-RNA. A trend toward having higher baseline MHBs proportion was observed in patients who developed clinical outcomes or remained with detectable HDV-RNA. This study validates the different HBsAg composition in HBV ICs and reveals the HBV-genotype influence in HBsAg composition. The composition of HBsAg in chronic hepatitis D differs in patients with detectable and undetectable HDV viral load and may help predict the likelihood of achieving undetectable HDV viraemia and the development of clinical events such as decompensation. The composition of the surface antigen is also useful to distinguish inactive carriers of HBV, and it varies according to HBV genotype.

WED-186 - Long-term outcomes of patients with chronic HBsAg positive/HBe-negative infection: differences and transition between inactive carriers and low viremic carriers

WED-186 - Long-term outcomes of patients with chronic HBsAg positive/HBe-negative infection: differences and transition between inactive carriers and low viremic carriers

Alinity m, a Random-Access System, for Hepatitis B Virus DNA Quantification in Plasma and Whole Blood Collected on Dried Blood Spots.

ABSTRACTThe International Liver Association recommends the use of accurate and sensitive molecular methods for determination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels in plasma or serum of chronic HBsAg carriers. The level of HBV replication represents the strongest predictive biomarker associated with disease progression and long-term outcome of chronic HBV infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability to the new Alinity m System to detect and quantify HBV DNA in plasma and whole blood collected on dried blood spots (DBS). Paired plasma and DBS samples from patients chronically infected with various HBV genotypes were tested in parallel for HBV DNA detection and quantification. There is a linear relationship between HBV DNA levels measured in plasma samples using the Alinity m HBV assay and the Xpert HBV viral load assay, used for comparison. A slight deviation (0.03 ± 0.31 log IU/mL) was observed within the quantitative range. In DBS, HBV DNA levels closely correlated with levels measured in plasma. All patients had detectable and quantifiable HBV DNA by DBS testing, except for one patient with a plasma HBV DNA level above 2,000 IU/mL. In conclusion, the newly developed real-time PCR-based assay Alinity m HBV assay can correctly detect HBV DNA in DBS, especially for patients with blood HBV DNA levels above 2,000 IU/mL, and also accurately quantify HBV DNA in plasma samples.IMPORTANCE Hepatitis B virus is one of the most prevalent blood-borne viruses affecting the liver and causing acute and chronic hepatitis. Only a small proportion of people with HBV infection are diagnosed. HBV DNA measurement is critical in clinical practice for the diagnosis and treatment decisions of patients requiring antiviral therapy. Dried blood spot (DBS) collection provides a simple, practical, and acceptable alternative to venous blood collection, especially in community settings. We have demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for HBV DNA detection in DBS compared to plasma samples, especially when using clinically relevant cutoffs of 2,000 and 20,000 IU/mL. Results support the use of DBS in community-based settings.

Prevalence and Predictors of Viral Hepatitis D Co-Infection in Chronic HbsAg Carriers

The characteristics of viral hepatitis B and D co-infection are poorly documented in Chad. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of HBV/HDV co-infection and the characteristics of this co-infection. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study including all patients with chronic HBsAg carriers referred in our department from January 2014 to December 2018. Non-inclusion criteria were: absence of anti-HDV testing, presence of anti-viral hepatitis C or Human Immunodeficiency Virus antibodies or excessive alcohol consumption. The variables studied were age, sex, blood transaminase level, HBV DNA level, HDV RNA level, and liver fibrosis and activity score (Actitest Fibrotest). The prevalence of HDV and the characteristics of HDV/HBV co-infection were determined. Results: During the study period, 403 patients were seen in these two hospitals for chronic HBsAg carriage. Of these, 378 (75%) had performed the anti HDV assay. Anti-HDV antibodies were positive in 53 patients (14%). In multivariate analysis, HBV/HDV co-infected patients were less frequently HBeAg positive (5.4% vs. 28.1%; p = 0.0001), older (35 years vs. 32 years; p = 0.001), and more frequently had significant necrotic-inflammatory activity (3.9% vs. 3.2%; p = 0.031) compared with mono infected patients. Neither gender (76.9% male vs. 77.4% male; p = ns), nor viral load (median 530 IU/ml vs. 195 IU/ml; p = ns), nor significant liver fibrosis (35.1% vs. 47.1%; p = ns), nor transaminases (median 26 vs. 32 IU/ml) were different with mono infected patients. Conclusion: VHD is common in Chad. It is associated with increased hepatic necrotic-inflammatory activity.

Maternal chronic hepatitis B virus infection and the risk of preterm birth: A retrospective cohort analysis in Chinese women.

The association between different clinical states of chronic HBV infection and preterm birth (PTB) is still controversial. A retrospective cohort study among 57,386 pregnant women was conducted to examine the impact of chronic HBsAg positive, both HBsAg and HBeAg positive, and chronic active hepatitis on pregnancy complications related to the overall PTB and its subtypes (spontaneous and iatrogenic). A total of 54,245 pregnancies were included in the final study cohort, among which 2,151(4.0%) pregnant women were HBsAg positive. The PTB rate was 6.0% (129/2151) for HBV-infected women while 4.5% (2319/52094) for those not. Compared with women not infected with HBV, multivariable-adjusted analyses showed HBV-infected women had a 33% higher risk of overall PTB (aRR 1.33 95%CI, 1.11-1.60), a 27% higher risk of spontaneous PTB (aRR 1.27, 95% CI, 1.02-1.57) and a 50% higher risk of iatrogenic PTB (aRR 1.50, 95%CI, 1.07-2.11). The PTB rate was 8.9% (35/395) for both HBsAg and HBeAg-positive women and 16.2% (22/136) for women with active chronic hepatitis. Multivariable-adjusted analyses showed women who were both HBsAg and HBeAg positive had a 47% higher risk of overall PTB (aRR 1.47, 95%CI, 1.04-2.09), a 2.03 times higher risk of spontaneous PTB (aRR 2.03, 95%CI, 1.38-2.99) and a 32% higher risk of iatrogenic PTB (aRR 1.32, 95%CI, 0.62-2.81), while women with chronic active hepatitis had a 3.84times higher risk of overall PTB (aRR 3.84, 95%CI, 2.42-6.10), a 3.88 times higher risk of spontaneous PTB (aRR 3.88, 95%CI, 2.32-6.45) and a 3.01times higher risk of iatrogenic PTB (aRR 3.01, 95%CI, 1.22-7.44). Different maternal clinical states of chronic HBV infection are independently associated with an increased risk of overall PTB and its subtypes (spontaneous and iatrogenic).

High L-Carnitine Levels Impede Viral Control in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

Persistent antigen exposure during chronic hepatitis B infection leads to exhausted immune responses, thus impeding viral control. In recent years, immunometabolism opens new therapeutic possibilities for the modulation of immune responses. Herein, we investigated the immunomodulatory effect of L-carnitine (L-Cn) on immune cells in chronic HBV infection. In this study, 141 treatment-naïve patients with chronic HBV infection, 38 patients who achieved HBsAg loss following antiviral treatment, and 47 patients who suffered from HBV-related HCC from real-life clinical practice were recruited. The plasma L-Cn levels were measured by ELISA. RNA sequencing was conducted to define the transcriptional profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells after L-Cn stimulation. In vitro assays were performed to assess the effect of L-Cn on immune cells; the frequencies and function of immune cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. We found that compared with patients with HBsAg loss, patients with HBsAg positivity and patients who suffered from HBV-related HCC had higher levels of L-Cn, and the plasma levels of L-Cn in the HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis patients who had elevated ALT were significantly higher than that of HBeAg-negative chronic infection and HBsAg loss groups. Moreover, a positive correlation between plasma levels of L-Cn and HBsAg levels was found. Additionally, RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that L-Cn altered the transcriptional profiles related to immune response. In vitro assays revealed that L-Cn suppressed the proliferation of and IFN-γ production by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. It also down-regulated the proliferation and IgG production of B cells. Notably, L-Cn enhanced IL-10 secretion from regulatory T cells and up-regulated the expression of inhibitory receptors on T cells. Moreover, a variant in CPT2 (rs1799821) was confirmed to be associated with L-Cn levels as well as complete response in CHB patients following Peg-IFNα antiviral therapy. Taken together, the immunosuppressive properties of L-Cn may hinder the control of HBV in chronic HBV infection, implicating that L-Cn manipulation might influence the prognosis of patients with HBV infection.

Resolved Hepatitis B: Achieved or Imaginary Wellbeing?

Aim. Assessment of the clinical impact of previous hepatitis B infection (PHB).Key points. PHB is characterized by the presence of viral DNA in the organism (including intrahepatic cccDNA and integrated DNA). Possible virus persistence in the PHB patient's hepatocytes potentiates the agent transmission risk via haemotransfusion, organ transplantation and haemodialysis. Occult HBV infection in PHB individuals can reactivate at background immunosuppressive or chemotherapies. PHB with chronic liver diseases of various aetiology significantly rises the risk of cirrhosis and hepatic cancer. The PHB association with autoimmune liver diseases and extrahepatic gastrointestinal cancer needs a careful research to confirm the possible involvement of hepatitis B virus in morbid genesis.Conclusion. No clinical signs of acute or chronic disease, HBsAg clearance and negative viral DNA load in blood of PHB individuals do not necessarily imply a complete disease eradication.PHB elicitation improves accuracy of the overall prognosis, reduces the virus transmission risk and prevents the reactivation of HBV infection.

Role of Innate Immunity in Patients with HBV Infection

Background: The hepatitis B virus [HBV] is an infectious disease and its one of the great public health problem, its outcome depends on the kinetics of the virus-host interaction and specifically on the strength of the innate and adaptive, humoral and cellular immune response. Thus interactions between the virus and the components of immune systems plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. This study aimed to evaluate innate immune response in different clinical courses of HBV infection by estimation serum levels of granulocytemacrophagecolony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), Interleukin-1 (IL-1 ), Interleukin-8 (IL-8 ) , immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, IgG and Complement component (C3and C4) levels. Aim of study: to evaluate role of immune response in clinical course of hepatitis B infection Patients and Method: This study based on 78 patients with HBV infection attending the Public Health Laboratories. Their ages ranged from (14-65) years, (58 males and 20 females) compared with 20 healthy subjects (12 males and 8 females) as control group. This study extended from first of January 2015 to first of January 2017. The patients were classified to three groups on the bases of serologic markers (HBsAg, HBe Ag, HBc Ab IgM) according to WHO department of communicable disease surveillances and response, liver function tests which are used as supportive indicator for the liver injury, history of the illness, and full clinical assessment. The first group includes twenty-eight patients with acute HBV infection, second group include twenty cases identified as chronic healthy HBsAg carriers group and the last third group include thirty cases of chronic HBV group Results: By using enzyme immuno assay [ELISA] technique, serum levels of interleukin1alpha [IL-1α], interleukin-8 [IL-8], and granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor [GM-CSF] were measured in all patients compared to that of healthy control group. The mean levels of IL-1α and IL-8 showed a significant increase in serum of patients with newly infected (acute) HBV and chronic HBV compared with studied control group [P=0.04 and P=0.001 respectivel]. However, the mean serum levels for IL-1α and IL-8 recorded a non significant increase in patients with chronic healthy HBsAg carriers [P=0.17 and P=0.4 respectively]. While the mean serum levels of GM-CSF showed a significant rise in acute HBV only [P=0.01]. Moreover, serum immunoglobulins [IgG, IgM, IgA] and complement component [C3, C4] levels also evaluated by using single radial immunodiffusion test (SRID). The mean serum IgA, IgG and IgM levels showed a significant increase in chronic HBV group as compared to that of control group [ P=0.000 ,P=0.000 and P=0.001 respectively].. The mean serum C3 and C4 levels showed a significant lower serum level in all groups compared to control studied group [P=0.000]. Conclusion: this data demonstrate that immunological differences do exist between different clinical groups with HBV infection and may reflect the role of the innate immune system in host defense and disease

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Italy during the twenty-first century: an updated survey in 2019.

The aim of this study is to provide updates on the characteristics of chronic HBsAg carriers in Italy before the advent of new drugs eliminating or functionally inactivating the genome HBV reservoirs. HBV endemicity has greatly decreased in Italy over the past decades. A not negligible number of chronic HBsAg carriers are still alive in the country. Chronic HBsAg carriers consecutively referring to 9units in Italy were prospectively enrolled for a 6-month period in 2019. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of treatment. A total of 894 cases was recruited (sex ratio 1.6; mean age 53.7 ± 13.5years). The proportion of subjects born abroad was 19.0%; only 1% of cases reported current heavy alcohol intake (> 4 units/day). Chronic HBV infection, chronic HBV hepatitis, and subjects with liver cirrhosis and/or HCC represented 24.8%, 55%, and 19.3% of cases, respectively. After exclusion of the 222 subjects with chronic HBV infection, the proportion of subjects under therapy was as high as 89.3%. A more severe liver disease (OR 2.52; 95% CI = 1.25-5.14) resulted an independent predictor of the likelihood of treatment; male sex was marginally associated (OR 1.67; 95% CI = 1.02-2.76) to the chance of treatment. People born abroad had same chance than Italians native to be treated (OR 2.12; 95% CI = 0.9-4.97). The high proportion of subjects under treatment and the absence of gender and ethnic barrier against treatment sound good news. These updated figures may represent reference data for evaluating the potential impact of forthcoming new therapy against HBV-related disease.

The Discovery of the Hepatitis D Virus: Three Princes of Serendip and the Recognition of Autoantibodies to Liver-Kidney Microsomes.

The Discovery of the Hepatitis D Virus: Three Princes of Serendip and the Recognition of Autoantibodies to Liver-Kidney Microsomes.

The Appearance of Hbeag Status in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus

Background: Chronic hepatitis B is a global burden disease with the mortality rate of over one million around the world because of the complication. In Indonesia the number of hepatitis B sufferers in a healthy population is estimated to reach 4-20.3%, where the figure is higher outside of Java. This study aims to analyze the description of HBeAg serological status in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Method: a descriptive study using medical records and sera of patients with chronic hepatitis B was used as primary data. The population of this study were patients with chronic hepatitis B in Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya in purposive sampling. The number of samples that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria was 82 people. Result: Most patients are between the ages of 50-59 (29,3%), males (67,1%), HbeAg loss (52,8%) receiving telbivudine (31,5%) and lamivudine (31,5%) as monotherapy for more than two years (42,1%) and have normal ALT (46,3%). Discussion: People with inactive (carriers) chronic HBsAg that are characterized by HBsAg last more than six months, also HBeAg negative, have serum ALT levels within normal limits. A temporary increase in ALT before remission can occur in some patients with chronic HBV infection after one year of treatment interruption. Conclusion: Telbivudine and lamivudine, separately as monotherapy, demonstrated greater HBeAg loss which reached within more than two years therapy.

Migratory flow and hepatitis delta infection in Italy: A new challenge at the beginning of the third millennium.

In Italy, HDV infection endemicity has greatly decreased overtime. Migratory flow may change this scenario as migrants often come from high HDV endemicity areas. Here, we studied characteristics of HDV infection in Italy, particularly addressed to the birth area of subjects. Chronic HBsAg carriers consecutively referring to 9 units in Italy prospectively enrolled for a six-month period in 2019 were tested for anti-HDV by ELISA. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify anti-HDV positivity independent predictors. A total of 894 HBsAg-positive subjects were enrolled. Of them, 786 (87.9%) were tested for anti-HDV. Anti-HDV overall prevalence was 9.9% (6.4% in Italian natives and 26.4% in non-natives; P<.001). HDV-RNA was checked in 63 (80.8%) of the 78 anti-HDV+ subjects, and 49 (77.8%) tested positive. Compared to non-natives, Italians were more likely males (male/female 1.6 vs 0.6; P<.05) and older (median age 57years vs 46years; P<.05). Multivariate analysis showed that non-natives (OR=6.02; CI 95%=3.06-11.84) and cirrhosis (OR 9.6; CI 95%=5.39-17.30) were independently associated with anti-HDV positivity. A remarkable changing pattern in some characteristics of anti-HDV-positive subjects was observed over 1987-2019: a decreasing male/female ratio, an increasing mean age and proportion of cirrhotic subjects. Anti-HDV prevalence decreased from 7.4% to 6.4% among Italians, increasing from 12.2% to 26.4% among non-natives during 2001-2019. Hence, HDV infection in Italians is further decreasing and mostly affects old people and subjects with advanced disease reflecting a survival effect. Conversely, non-natives are sixfold more likely anti-HDV-positive with an increasing trend. Migratory flow may be a new challenge for HDV infection at the beginning of the third millennium.

Reactivation of Hepatitis B Virus in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Reactivation of Hepatitis B Virus in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Prevalence and incidence of hepatitis delta in patients with chronic hepatitis B in Spain.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective agent that only replicates in the presence of the hepatitis B virus. Accordingly, HDV acquisition may occur as superinfection of HBsAg+ carriers or following acute dual HDV and hepatitis B virus exposure. Herein, we examined the global and incident rates of HDV infections in Spain. The presence of anti-HDV antibody and new HDV superinfections was examined in all HBsAg+ patients who attended one large tertiary outclinic in Spain since year 2000. Anti-HDV antibodies were tested repeatedly every 5 years in those previously negative. During a median follow-up of 12 years, 478 individuals were diagnosed as HBsAg+. Overall, 64.4% were male, median age was 55 years, 88.1% were native Spaniards, 6.5% were coinfected with HIV, and 7.3% were reactive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies.A total of 19 (4%) patients had anti-HDV antibody at first diagnosis. There were no further HDV seroconversions. Most anti-HDV+ patients were male (n=12), former injection drug users (n=13), and native Spaniards (n=16). Coinfection with HIV was found in six, and 12 had HCV antibodies. Interestingly, three of seven women with delta hepatitis were foreigners (Asian or African), denied injection drug use, were younger than 40 years old, and negative for both HCV and HIV. The prevalence of chronic hepatitis delta is currently very low (<5%) among chronic HBsAg+ carriers in Spain, with lower rates in recent years. Moreover, new incident HDV infections were not seen in 478 chronic hepatitis B carriers since year 2000, following drastic declines in injection drug use.

Biological therapy in arthritis patients with hepatitis B or C infection: a multicenter retrospective case series.

Reactivation of viral hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) has been reported in various case reports of patients with arthritis on biological therapy. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of arthritis patients with HBV or HCV treated with biological therapy. This is a retrospective case series including all patients above 13 years of age with arthritis patients from four centers in Saudi Arabia with concurrent chronic viral hepatitis infection (HBV or HCV) who received biological agents in the rheumatology clinics during their course of their disease from duration of the disease onset until last outpatient visit up to November 2015. Demographic information, full details about the hepatitis status of each patient, rheumatic disease diagnosis and different therapies used were reviewed. We identified 10 cases each with HBV and HCV on biological therapy. The mean age in the HBV group was 51 (34-85) years and 80% were females. Eight patients had rheumatoid arthritis (RA), one patient had RA/systemic lupus erythematosus, and one had human immunodeficiency virus related-arthritis. Seven were chronic inactive HBsAg carriers and three had chronic active HBV. Nine HBV patients received prophylactic antiviral therapy. Two cases with chronic HBV had reactivation with no elevation of the transaminases.The mean age in the HCV group was 54 (23-79) years and all were female RA patients. Three had detectable hepatitis C virus-ribonuecleic acid (HCV-RNA) before the start of biological therapy. Nine HCV patients received antiviral treatment and seven had a sustained virologic response (SVR) before start of biological treatment. Three patients had detectable HCV-RNA during the course of biological therapy. One of the three was a non-responder and two were relapsers. One of the patients with HCV relapse was started on sofosbuvir plus ribavirin and achieved SVR on follow-up. We report the successful use of biological therapy in arthritis patients with hepatitis B infection with antiviral therapy with no detoriation of their viral status. Due to the lack of sufficient prospective studies demonstrating the rate of HCV flare on biological therapy, caution should be exercised and careful monitoring with liver enzymes and viral load is mandated in vulnerable HCV RNA patients. Treatment should be individualized by the rheumatologist in collaboration with the hepatologist to minimize complications.

Time trends of chronic HBV infection over prior decades – A global analysis

Information on trends in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence across countries is lacking. We studied changes in chronic HBV infection over previous decades by country, and assessed patterns of change between and within WHO-defined regions. Based on data from a published systematic review on chronic HBV, we applied a linear model on the logit scale to assess time trends in country-specific prevalence. Estimated HBsAg prevalence in 2000 and relative changes in prevalence over time were evaluated by country and region. Sufficient data were available for 50 countries, mostly showing reductions in prevalence over time. Various degrees of heterogeneity were observed within regions, with a relatively homogenous pattern in the Eastern Mediterranean region with strong decreases in HBsAg prevalence. Europe showed a mixed pattern: higher and stable chronic HBsAg prevalence in Eastern, and constantly low prevalence in Western Europe. In Africa, some countries demonstrated no change in prevalence; increases were seen in Uganda (odds ratio 1.05 per year; 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.06), Nigeria (1.02; 1.02-1.02), Senegal (1.01; 1.01-1.02), and South Africa (1.02; 1.01-1.02). With some exceptions, country-patterns overlapped among countries of South East Asian and Western Pacific regions, characterized by low-medium HBsAg decreases, most prominent in China and Malaysia. Most countries experienced decreases in HBsAg prevalence. Dynamics varied, even within regions; decreases occurred mostly before the direct effects of childhood vaccination may have manifested. These findings together with stable and increasing HBsAg prevalence in some countries of Africa and Eastern Europe indicate the need for further tailored country-specific prevention. This study investigated time trends in prevalence of chronic HBV infection in 50 countries worldwide over the last decade, by estimating relative changes in prevalence. Results show decreases in chronic HBV infection in most countries; no changes or increases in prevalence are noted in some African countries. Reasons for time changes need to be investigated further; based on the results, various prevention measures have contributed to reductions, and further tailored HBV prevention is required to combat the disease on a global level.

Hepatitis B virus genotypes and evolutionary markers in chronic HBsAG patients in Bujumbura

IntroductionL'infection par le virus de l'hépatite B (VHB) est une affection grave suite à ses complications notamment la cirrhose et le carcinome hépatocellulaire (CHC). Les génotypes du VHB influent beaucoup sur son évolution et sur l'efficacité du traitement. Le but était d’évaluer les génotypes du VHB et les profils évolutifs des patients porteurs chroniques de l'AgHBs.MéthodesÉtude transversale, menée au Centre hospitalo-universitaire de Kamenge et au Centre des maladies du tube digestif et du foie « CEMADIF » entre Juin 2013 et Mai 2014. Le génotypage, les dosages quantitatifs de l'AgHBe et de l'ADN virale B ont été réalisés au Laboratoire Cerba, Cergy Pontoise, France. L’évaluation de la fibrose était faite par le Fibrotest ou le FibroScan.RésultatsAu total, 143 patients, 52,4% de sexe masculin, âge moyen 38,1 ans ont été inclus. Selon les marqueurs évolutifs, 112 patients (78,3%) avaient un AgHBe négatif. Quant à la charge virale, 106 patients (74,2%) avaient une virémie inférieure à 2000UI/ml et une fibrose minime inférieure à 7kpa selon le FibroScan. Parmi eux, 13 malades avaient un ADN du VHB indétectable (<20UI/ml). Les autres 37 patients (26,8%) avaient une charge virale supérieure à 2000UI/ml et parmi eux, 31 avaient un AgHBe positif (>0,8UI/ml). Il a été possible de déterminer le génotype chez 51 patients qui avaient une virémie assez élevée pour permettre techniquement ce dosage. Ces patients avaient tous un génotype A.ConclusionLe génotype A du VHB est le plus fréquent à Bujumbura. Il est associé à un portage inactif élevé.