Elimination Of Viral Hepatitis Research Articles

Against All Odds? Addiction History Associated with Better Viral Hepatitis Care: A Dutch Nationwide Claims Data Study.

The elimination of viral hepatitis in target populations is crucial in reaching WHO viral hepatitis elimination goals. Several barriers for the treatment of viral hepatitis in people with addictive disorders have been identified, yet nationwide data on hepatitis healthcare utilization (HCU) in these patients are limited. We investigated whether a history of addictive disorder is associated with suboptimal hepatitis HCU, indicating failure to receive diagnostic care or treatment. We identified all newly referred viral hepatitis patients in the Netherlands between 2014 and 2019 by query of the Dutch national hospital claims database. Each patient’s first year of HBV or HCV care activities was collected and clustered in two categories, ‘optimal’ or ‘suboptimal’ hepatitis HCU. Optimal HCU includes antiviral therapy. We tested the association between addiction history and HCU, adjusted for sex, age, migrant status, and comorbidity. In secondary analyses, we explored additional factors affecting hepatitis HCU. We included 10,513 incident HBV and HCV patients, with 13% having an addiction history. Only 47% of all patients achieved optimal hepatitis HCU. Addiction history was associated with less suboptimal HCU (adjusted OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.64–0.82). Migration background was associated with suboptimal HCU (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.50–1.76). This study shows that addiction history is associated with higher viral hepatitis HCU; thus, this population performs better compared to non-addicted patients. However, less than 50% of all patients received optimal hepatitis care. This study highlights the need to improve hepatitis HCU in all patients, with a focus on migrant populations. Linkage to care in the addicted patients is not studied here and may be a remaining obstacle to be studied and improved to reach WHO viral hepatitis elimination goals.

Modern Treatment of Hepatitis C Infection

Abstract In 2016, the World Health Organization set „Viral hepatitis elimination by 2030” as a goal, which is predicated upon 2 advances: on the one hand, the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine and, on the other, the sustained viral response to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Romania also adopted this initiative considering the available results confirming the efficiency of this policy. Viral clearance results in reduced morbidity and mortality by liver injury and also by any associated HCV infection manifestations. In order to fulfill the target stated by the WHO any patient with detectable viremia must be treated. Unlike interferon-based regimes, DAA therapy for HCV infection is applicable to all groups of patients, regardless of the severity of their liver injury. Other advantages are high efficiency levels, proved in clinical trials as well as in the real world, oral administration route, good safety profile, a very good rate of sustained virological response in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and the possibility of prescribing them to children older than 8. Despite the remarkable progress, an ideal antiviral therapy has not yet been discovered. The direct-acting antiviral therapy in use today has 3 targets: NS3/4A, NS5A, NS5B. None of the drugs is designed to be used alone. For convenience, the pharmaceutical industry has developed pills containing combinations of 2 or 3 active drugs, which completely changed the hepatitis C treatment paradigm.

Community-Based Screening for Hepatitis B and C Infectivity Using Two Quantitative Antigens to Identify Endemic Townships.

Screening and linkage to care are essential to achieve viral hepatitis elimination before 2030. The accurate identification of endemic areas is important for controlling diseases with geographic aggregation. Viral activity drives prognosis of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection. This screening was conducted in Chiayi County from 2018–2019. All residents aged 30 years or older were invited to participate in quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg) and HCV Ag screening. Among the 4010 participants (male:female = 1630:2380), the prevalence of qHBsAg and HCV Ag was 9.9% (396/4010) and 4.1% (163/4010), respectively. High-prevalence townships were identified, three for qHBsAg > 15% and two for HCV Ag > 10%. The age-specific prevalence of qHBsAg was distributed in an inverse U-shape with a peak (16.0%, 68/424) for subjects in their 40 s; for HCV, prevalence increased with age. Concentrations of qHBsAg < 200 IU/mL were found in 54% (214/396) of carriers. The rate of oral antiviral treatment for HCV was 75.5% (114/151), with subjects younger than 75 years tending to undergo treatment (85.6% vs. 57.4%, p < 0.001). QHBsAg and HCV Ag core antigens can reflect the concentration of the viral load, which serves as a feasible screening tool. Using quantitative antigen screening for hepatitis B and C in community-based screening, two hyperendemic townships were identified from an endemic county.

Cost-effectiveness of universal screening for chronic hepatitis B virus infection in China: an economic evaluation

SummaryBackgroundChina has the highest prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection worldwide. Universal HBV screening might enable China to reach the WHO 2030 target of 90% diagnostics, 80% treatment, and 65% HBV-related death reduction, and eventually elimination of viral hepatitis. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of implementing universal HBV screening in China and identified optimal screening strategies.MethodsWe used a Markov cohort model, inputting parameters based on data from previous studies and public databases, to assess the cost-effectiveness of four HBV serological screening strategies in China in different screening scenarios. We simulated universal screening scenarios in 15 adult age groups between 18 and 70 years, with different years of screening implementation (2021, 2026, and 2031) and compared to the status quo (ie, no universal screening); in total, we investigated 180 different screening scenarios. We calculated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) between the different screening strategies and the status quo (current screening strategy). We performed probabilistic and one-way deterministic sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of our findings.FindingsWith a willingness-to-pay level of three times the Chinese gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (US$30 828), all universal screening scenarios in 2021 were cost-effective compared with the status quo. The serum HBsAg/HBsAb/HBeAg/HBeAb/HBcAb (five-test) screening strategy in people aged 18–70 years was the most cost-effective strategy in 2021 (ICER $18 295/quality-adjusted life-years [QALY] gained). This strategy remained the most cost-effective, when the willingness-to-pay threshold was reduced to 2 times GDP per capita. The two-test strategy for people aged 18–70 years became more cost-effective at lower willingness-to-pay levels. The five-test strategy could prevent 3·46 million liver-related deaths in China over the lifetime of the cohort. It remained the most cost-effective strategy when implementation was delayed until 2026 (ICER $20 183/QALY) and 2031 (ICER $23 123/QALY). Screening young people (18–30 years) will no longer be cost-effective in delayed scenarios.InterpretationThe five-test universal screening strategy in people aged 18–70 years, implemented within the next 10 years, is the optimal HBV screening strategy for China. Other screening strategies could be cost-effective alternatives, if budget is limited in rural areas. Delaying strategy implementation reduces overall cost-effectiveness. Early screening initiation will aid global efforts in achieving viral hepatitis elimination.FundingNational Natural Science Foundation of China.

Expanded screening for chronic hepatitis B virus infection in China

Expanded screening for chronic hepatitis B virus infection in China

Progress towards achieving viral hepatitis B and C elimination in the Asia and Pacific region: Results from modelling and global reporting

In 2016, Asia and Pacific countries endorsed action plans for reaching viral hepatitis elimination targets set in the Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) for Viral Hepatitis 2016-2021. We examine the region's progress by modelling disease burden and constructing the cascade of care. Between 2015 and 2020, chronic HBV prevalence declined from 4.69% to 4.30%, and HCV prevalence declined from 0.64% to 0.58%. The region achieved the 2020 target of 30% incidence reduction for HBV, whereas HCV incidence declined by 6%. Hepatocellular carcinoma incidence for HBV and HCV increased by 9% and 7%, respectively. Liver-related deaths from HBV rose by 8%, and mortality attributable to HCV plateaued. Large testing and treatment gaps remained in 2019: only 13% of chronic HBV infections were diagnosed and 25% treated; 21% of chronic HCV infection were diagnosed and 11% treated. Viral hepatitis must become national priority with adequate funding to reach elimination goals by 2030.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C among female sex workers in Togo, West Africa.

BackgroundHepatitis B and C are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with prevalence among the highest in the World. However, several challenges impede the progression towards the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 as suggested by the World Health Organization Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis, including the lack of knowledge on the scale of this epidemic in the region. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C among female sex workers (FSW) in Togo.MethodsThis ancillary study from a national cross-sectional bio-behavioral study was conducted in 2017 using a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method, in eight towns of Togo among FSW. Socio-demographic, behavioral and sexual characteristics were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for HIV, hepatitis B and C serological testing. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and a logistic regression model.ResultsOut of the 1,036 FSW recruited for this study, biological analyses for viral hepatitis were completed for 769 of them. The median age was 26 years [IQR: 22–33] and 49.8% (n = 383) had attained secondary school. The prevalence of hepatitis B was 9.9% [95% CI: (7.9–12.2)] and the prevalence of hepatitis C was 5.3% [95% CI: (3.9–7.2)]. Higher hepatitis B and C prevalence was associated with recruitment out of Lomé (aOR: 6.63; 95%CI: 3.51–13.40, p <0.001 and OR: 2.82; 95% CI: [1.37–5.99]; p<0.001, respectively) and, for hepatitis B, with never using condoms for vaginal intercourse (OR: 3.14; 95%CI: [1.02–8.71]; p<0.05).ConclusionsResults from this study reveals high prevalence of hepatitis B and C among FSW in Togo and an opportunity for advocacy toward the introduction of immunizations and treatment in this population.

Viral hepatitis in children: state and prospects for solving the problem

The problem of viral hepatitis (VH) today is an acute problem for the world healthcare system. Along with the COVID-19 pandemic, the VH pandemic claims up to 1.5 million lives annually. Since 2016, the Russian Federation has launched a WHO program aimed at combating VH. One of the first steps on the path of global elimination is getting rid of the virus in the small groups, among which micro-elimination in the child population is one of the promising areas.This review is devoted to the current state of the problem of VH in children in the Russian Federation today. The success of vaccine prevention (against viral hepatitis A and B) made it possible to achieve results in the form of a significant decrease in the incidence of children, minimizing the risk of perinatal infection. However, in recent years, there has been a progressive decline in vaccination coverage. This is mainly due to the growing popularity of anti-vaccination lobbies, a decrease in the awareness of patients and health workers about the need for timely vaccination, as well as the introduction of restrictive measures to prevent a new coronavirus infection. The emergence of mutant, "vaccine-eluting" strains, which are also resistant to available antiviral drugs, is another serious problem on the way to eliminating viral HBV. In the field of treating children with HBV, the possibilities are extremely limited, only 2 drugs are available, one of which (tenofovir alafenamide) is available only from the age of 12. Registration of direct antiviral drugs for the treatment of adolescents with chronic hepatitis C has made it possible to bring closer the goal of microelimination of the virus in children. However, the high cost of drugs poses a challenge for the state to introduce long-term benefit programs to ensure the availability of treatment. In addition, at the moment, the treatment of young children in our country remains a prospect for the future.Thus, despite significant advances in the strategy for the elimination of viral hepatitis, a number of problems remain relevant and present significant difficulties in achieving the global goal.

The impact of the first, second and third waves of covid-19 on hepatitis B and C testing in Ontario, Canada.

The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted routine healthcare services. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are often asymptomatic, and therefore, screening and on/post-treatment monitoring are required. Our aim was to determine the effect of the first, second and third waves of the pandemic on HBV and HCV testing in Ontario, Canada. We extracted data from Public Health Ontario for HBV and HCV specimens from 1 January 2019 to 31 May 2021. Testing volumes were evaluated and stratified by age, sex and region. Changes in testing volumes were analysed by per cent and absolute change. Testing volumes decreased in April 2020 with the first wave of the pandemic and recovered to 72%-75% of prepandemic volumes by the end of the first wave. HBsAg testing decreased by 33%, 18% and 15%, and HBV DNA testing decreased by 37%, 27% and 20%, in each consecutive wave. Anti-HCV testing decreased by 35%, 21% and 19%, and HCV RNA testing decreased by 44%, 30% and 36% in each consecutive wave. These trends were consistent by age, region and sex. Prenatal HBV testing volumes were stable. In conclusion, significant decreases in HBV and HCV testing occurred during the first three waves of the pandemic and have not recovered. In addition to direct consequences on viral hepatitis elimination efforts, these data provide insight into the impacts of the pandemic on chronic disease screening and management. Strategies to make up for missed testing will be critical to avoid additional consequences of COVID-19 long after the pandemic has resolved.

Hepatitis B infection in Mexican adults: Results of a nationally representative survey

Introduction and objectivesHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can lead to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death if untreated. In Mexico, HBV vaccination for all children and adolescents was implemented in 1999. In 2000 the estimated HBV was 0.21% in the population aged 20 years and older. We estimated the national prevalence for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and its association with sociodemographic characteristics, including sexual behavior information for those aged 20 to 49 years. Materials and methodsFrom the 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey, blood samples were collected from a subsample of 2,280 adults to determine HBsAg. We estimated the national prevalence for HBsAg and evaluated its association with sociodemographic characteristics, adding sexual behavior information for those aged 20 to 49 years. We performed a multiple logistic regression to estimate the association of HBsAg and relevant variables. ResultsThe 2018 estimated prevalence of HBsAg in the Mexican adult population was 0.51% (95%CI 0.19, 2.33), which represents 411,000 cases. This prevalence was higher than previously estimated and it was higher in women than in men (0.54% versus 0.46%, respectively). We did not find an association between HBsAg and sociodemographic characteristics or sexual behaviors. ConclusionsVaccination and screening strategies towards the elimination of viral hepatitis should be reinforced to further reduce the prevalence over the next years.

Prevalence of HBsAg among reproductive age couples in Chongqing: A population-based, cross-sectional study.

Hepatitis B is a leading cause of death worldwide. Here, we performed a large, population-based, cross-sectional study in Chongqing, China from 2011 to 2016 to assess the prevalence of HBsAg among couples of reproductive age, to predict subsequent trends, and to provide evidence for the WHO goal of "the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030". A total of 386,286 couples aged 20 to 49 years were enrolled in the study. Approximately 14.35% of couples were HBsAg positive, including 95.00% with discordant HBsAg positivity. HBsAg prevalence was higher in men than in women. Among different occupations, the two categories of “houseworker” (female 6.73%, male 9.99%) and “unemployed” (female 6.64%, male 9.94%) showed the highest HBsAg positivity. In different regions, the lowest prevalence appeared in southeastern Chongqing (female 4.87%, male 7.71%). In 2030, the HBsAg positivity rate is expected to be 2.79%, 7.27% and 5.13% in females, males, and the whole population, respectively. According to the trends, this rate would drop to less than 2% in 2034, 2078 and 2051. In conclusion, the HBsAg prevalence in Chongqing is still relatively high compared with that in other parts of western China, especially among reproductive-age men. HBsAg-positive couples should be taken as an important unit of care. Vaccination is necessary before pregnancy if no antibody is found. More attention should be given to people without stable jobs. HBsAg-positive rate will decrease perceptibly by 2030 and will reach the level of low in epidemic areas by 2050.

Laboratory-based dried blood spot testing for hepatitis C: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy

Background: Diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection typically involves collection of venous blood samples prior to serological investigation of an antibody response followed by a confirmatory viral load or antigen test to verify active HCV infection. This conventional pathway poses logistical challenges for the implementation of reflex testing, whereby the confirmatory test is performed on the same sample used for serological investigation. Dried blood spot (DBS) testing, in which capillary blood is deposited on filter paper, is a less invasive alternative that can enable reflex testing without the need for venepuncture, centrifugation and freezing of samples. Methods: This systematic review aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of DBS compared with venous blood samples for diagnosis of chronic HCV infection. Observational studies which compare diagnostic tests using DBS with those using serum, plasma or whole blood in patients with chronic or resolved HCV infection will be included. Electronic searches will be conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs and the Cochrane library. Citation screening, data extraction and quality appraisal of included studies will be performed in duplicate using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. A meta-analysis will be conducted to derive pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios, negative likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios. Sensitivity analyses and meta-regression will also be performed. Quality of the evidence will be evaluated using the GRADE criteria. Discussion: Identifying and linking people with currently undiagnosed chronic HCV infection to care is pivotal to attaining global viral hepatitis elimination targets. The use of DBS could simplify diagnostic testing strategies by integrating reflex testing into the care pathway and reducing drop-off along the cascade of care. Registration: PROSPERO, CRD42020205204. Registered 19 th September 2020.

Adherence of community health workers to hepatitis B vaccination

Introduction: Hepatitis B (HB) vaccination for health-care workers is essential for World Health Organization’s goals achievement of viral hepatitis (VH) elimination. However, recent studies showed low vaccination adherence by these professionals and lack of knowledge about HB vaccination adherence of community health workers (CHW). Objective: To identify the adherence of CHW to HB vaccination; to determine the causes of non-adherence; to investigate whether the prevalence of vaccination is different among surveyed towns, and to verify whether years practiced as CHW have any association with vaccination adherence. Methods: This cross-sectional study included five towns (T) of a Brazilian state. Data were collected at VH educational meetings, in which CHW answered a questionnaire. The proportions Z-test and the likelihood ratio test were used for statistical analysis. Significance was set at p&lt;0.05. Results: The sample included 516 CHW. Most CHW (86.8%) reported to have taken the vaccine, but only 59.7% affirmed having taken all doses, and 28.1% correctly answered the number of doses. 24.4% of CHW pointed the unknowing about HB vaccine importance as the main reason for non-adherence. T4 and T5 showed higher vaccination prevalence than T2 and T1. Vaccination adherence was higher among individuals with more years working as CHW. Conclusion: CHW demonstrated low adherence to HB vaccination and pointed the lack of knowledge about HB vaccine importance as the main reason for that. There were differences in vaccination prevalence among the towns and adherence was positively associated with professional experience.

Regional progress towards hepatitis C elimination in the Western Pacific Region, 2015-2020.

Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection is a major global public health threat and in 2019 there were an estimated 58 million infected globally and 290,000 deaths. Elimination of viral hepatitis B/C as a public health threat by 2030 is defined as a 90% incidence reduction and a 65% mortality reduction. The Western Pacific region is one of the most affected regions with 10 million people living with HCV, one-fifth of the global burden. We review progress towards HCV elimination in the Western Pacific region since 2015. Key developments in the region, which comprises of 37 high-and-middle-income countries, include the following: 20 countries have national hepatitis action plans, 19 have conducted recent disease burden and investment cases, 10 have scaled-up hepatitis services at primary health care level, and in 11 countries, domestic financing including social health insurance support DAA costs. We highlight six countries' experience in navigating the path towards HCV elimination: Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, and Viet Nam. Future initiatives to accelerate elimination are expanding access to community-based testing using HCV point-of-care tests among at-risk and general populations; adopting decentralized and integrated HCV one-stop services at harm reduction sites, detention settings and primary care; expanding treatment to include children and adolescents; address stigma and discrimination; and ensuring sustainable financing through domestic resources to scale-up testing, treatment and prevention. The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on hepatitis response across the region on community and facility-based testing, treatment initiation, monitoring and cancer screening, which is projected to delay elimination goals.

Hepatitis C reinfection in former and active injecting drug users in Belgium

BackgroundThere is currently no systematic screening for hepatitis C (HCV) reinfection in people who inject drugs (PWID) after treatment in Belgium. However, in a recent meta-analysis, the overall HCV reinfection rate was 5.9/100 person-years (PY) among PWID. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to investigate the reinfection rate in former and active PWID who achieved the end of treatment response after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment in Belgium.MethodsThis observational cross-sectional study recruited individuals with a history of injecting drug use who had achieved the end of treatment response to any DAA treatment between 2015 and 2020. Participants were offered a post-treatment HCV RNA test.ResultsEighty-five potential participants were eligible to participate and contacted, of whom 60 participants were enrolled in the study with a median age of 51.0 (IQR 44.3–56.0) years; it was reported that 23.3% continued to inject drugs intravenously after DAA treatment. Liver cirrhosis was present in 12.9%. The majority had genotype 1a (51.7%) or genotype 3 (15.0%) infection. We detected no reinfections in this study population. The total time patients were followed up for reinfection in the study was 78.5 PY (median 1.0 years IQR 0.4–2.0).ConclusionReinfection after successful treatment with DAA initially appears to be very low in Belgian PWID. Therefore, efforts should be made to screen individuals with persistent risk behaviors for reinfection systematically. In addition, a national HCV registry should be established to accurately define the burden of HCV infection and reinfection in Belgium and support the elimination of viral hepatitis C in Europe.Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT04251572, Registered 5 Feb 2020–Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04251572.

HBV - infection in children with perinatal infection. Clinical report of familial hepatitis B

Hepatitis B, despite of being a controlled infection today, is one of the most common form of hepatitis in the world. According to the experts' evaluation there are about 3 million patients with chronic hepatitis B in our country. The global strategy of the World Health Organization includes the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030.The program used in the North-West Federal District to eliminate acute hepatitis B has reduced the incidence rate due to the widespread vaccination coverage of children and the annual increase in adult immunization coverage.However, the relevance of HBV-infection in children still remains high which is associated with a high infection by hepatitis B virus in women of childbearing age and the possibility of the transmission of the infection from mother to her child. In case of perinatal infection the formation of chronic hepatitis B in children reaches up to 90%. The natural course of chronic hepatitis B is characterized by a change in pathogenetically determined phases, and HBsAg-negative infection, which is a latent (occult) form of hepatitis, was added to them in 2009. Occult hepatitis B is an epidemiological danger, for the child as well, if the mother suffers from this form of chronic hepatitis B. Monitoring of pregnant women is often limited to identifying only HBsAg, which is not enough to detect occult hepatitis B. Lately diagnosed occult HBV-infection can become a source of the infection for the baby, especially in cases when due to some reasons there are disorders in hepatitis B vaccination schedule after birth. The article presents an interesting clinical case of family hepatitis B.

Burden of Chronic Hepatitis B and C Infections in 2015 and Future Trends in Japan

Background: Determining the number of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) infections is essential to assess the progress towards the World Health Organization 2030 viral hepatitis elimination goals. Using data from the Japanese National Database (NDB), we calculated the number of chronic HBV and HCV infections in 2015 and predicted the trend until 2035. Methods: NDB and first-time blood donors data were used to calculate the number of chronic HBV and HCV infections in 2015. A Markov simulation was applied to predict chronic infections until 2035 using transition probabilities calculated from NDB data. Findings: The total number of chronic HBV and HCV infections in 2015 in Japan was 2,001,221–2,487,881 (HCV:890,902–1,302,179, HBV:1,110,319–1,185,702), of which 1,019,695–1,506,355 were undiagnosed or diagnosed but not linked to care (“not engaged in care”), and 981,526 were engaged in care. Chronic HBV and HCV infections are expected to be 991,388–1,302,438 in 2030, and 796,585–1,044,043 in 2035. Compared to 2015, by 2035, the number of persons with HCV not engaged in care will decline by 59·8 – 74·7% and 86·5% for patients in care. For HBV, a 47·3 – 48·2% decrease is expected for persons not engaged in care and a decline of 26·0% for patients engaged in care. Interpretation: Although the burden of HBV and HCV is expected to decrease by 2035, challenges in controlling hepatitis remain. Improvements in screening and linkage to care for HCV and functional HBV cure are needed. Funding Information: This study was funded in part by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan, grant number 19HC1001. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: Data from the NDB were obtained in accordance with the Guidelines for the Provision of Information on Receipt and Specified Health Examination established by the MHLW (approval number MHLW-H-0722-13).Before donating blood, all donors signed an informed consent form stating that their laboratory test results could be used for research purposes. The ethics committee for epidemiological research of Hiroshima University waived the requirement for further consent (approval number E-1082).All study procedures were performed following the applicable regulations and guidelines.

Prospects for the Global Elimination of Hepatitis B.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, estimated to be globally responsible for ∼800,000 deaths annually. Although effective vaccines are available to prevent new HBV infection, treatment of existing chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is limited, as the current standard-of-care antiviral drugs can only suppress viral replication without achieving cure. In 2016, the World Health Organization called for the elimination of viral hepatitis as a global public health threat by 2030. The United States and other nations are working to meet this ambitious goal by developing strategies to cure CHB, as well as prevent HBV transmission. This review considers recent research progress in understanding HBV pathobiology and development of therapeutics for the cure of CHB, which is necessary for elimination of hepatitis B by 2030.

Hepatitis B virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma in sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030?

Elimination of viral hepatitis in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 is an ambitious feat. However, as stated by the World Health Organization, there are unprecedented opportunities to act and make significant contributions to the elimination target. With 60 million people chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) of whom 38800 are at risk of developing highly fatal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) every year, sub-Saharan Africa faces one of the greatest battles towards elimination of viral hepatitis. There is a need to examine progress in controlling the disproportionate burden of HBV-associated HCC in sub-Saharan Africa within the context of this elimination target. By scaling-up coverage of hepatitis B birth dose and early childhood vaccination, we can significantly reduce new cases of HCC by as much as 50% within the next three to five decades. Given the substantial reservoir of chronic HBV carriers however, projections show that HCC incidence and mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa will double by 2040. This warrants urgent public health attention. The trends in the burden of HCC over the next two decades, will be determined to a large extent by progress in achieving early diagnosis and appropriate linkage to care for high-risk chronic HBV infected persons.

Introduction of World Health Organization Strategies and the Technical Advisory Committee actions on viral hepatitis control and status of the elimination of viral hepatitis in China

Viral hepatitis has been causing big threat to public health globally. The number of annual deaths caused by hepatitis surpassed the deaths caused by AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. World Health Organization (WHO) issued the global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis 2016-2020 (GHSS) to control its epidemic. It established the Strategies and Technical Advisory Committee on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STAC). This paper summarizes the GHSS goals and the keynote of the 2020 STAC meeting, analyzes the challenges and opportunities faced by China in eliminating viral hepatitis, and provides the comments on the papers on this issue, which could guide further actions.