Trends In Hepatitis Research Articles

Frequency and trends of Hepatitis B & C, and human immune deficiency virus in blood donors presenting to blood bank of a Tertiary Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Objective: To determine frequency and trends of hepatitis B & C and Human Immune deficiency Virus (HIV) in blood donors presenting to the blood bank of a tertiary hospital. Study Design: Cross Sectional Descriptive study. Setting: Blood Bank of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. Period: January 2014 to October 2019. Material & Methods: A total of 119263 blood bags were screened during the study period. Donors of age 18-55 years age and weight above 55 kilograms were included in the study. Cases who were drug addicts, anemic and jaundiced were excluded from the study. All blood bags were screened for Hepatitis B & C and HIV using automated ELISA Cobas E-114 equipment. The data was analysed and results were calculated in terms of percentages. Results: A total of 119263 blood donors presented to the blood bank during the study period. Age range of the study sample was 20-45 years with mean of 31±7 years. There were 119193 (99.94%) males and 70 (0.06%) females. The overall frequency of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV was 1.42%, 0.76% and 0.018% respectively. The frequency of these infections was lowest in 2015 and highest in 2016.The trend of hepatitis B increased while that of hepatitis C decreased from 2014 to 2019. Conclusion: Hepatitis B infection is more prevalent in blood donors as compared to hepatitis C and HIV in our region. Actions should be taken to create awareness in population about the spread of hepatitis B and strict screening of the blood donors should be ensured to stop the rise in incidence of hepatitis B in our population.

Seroprevalence and trends of transfusion transmissible infections among retrospective blood donors in Western Azerbaijan Regional Blood Transfusion Center, Iran: A ten-years evaluation

Transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) have been a public health challenge for the accessibility, quality and safety of blood transfusion. The present study aimed to consider the prevalence and the trends of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis across the ten years among retrospective blood donors. A retrospective investigation of blood donors’ data covering the period from 22 May 2009 to 22 May 2019 was done. Data was accumulated and analyzed from Blood Transfusion Center records, pertaining to all donors who were screened for various TTIs using respective immunological techniques. Out of the 682,171 screened donors in the 2009–2019 study period, 2470 (0.36 %) were infected with at least one infectious agent. The overall prevalence of HBV, HCV, HTLV-1, HIV and syphilis were 1700 (0.25 %), 184 (0.027 %), 335 (0.05 %), 4 (0.0.05 %) and 247 (0.036 %), respectively. The study showed male dominated donor pool (96.79 %) with higher prevalence (0.34 %) of TTIs compared to female donors (0.02 %) with 3.21 % population. Despite the low prevalence of TTIs in our study, HBV, HCV, syphilis and HIV have remained a big threat to safe blood transfusion in Iran. Strict adherence to selection criteria, algorithm of donor screening, use of highly sensitive and specific methods for detection of TTIs, regular consultation and health education programs, prevention and sanitization strategies to reduce the risk of TTIs are recommended to reduce the risk of TTIs and ensure the safety of blood transfusion for recipient.

Epidemiology and surveillance of hepatitis E in Italy: data from the SEIEVA surveillance system 2007-2019

hepatitis E is a disease spread all over the world, with endemic levels varying according to ecological and socioeconomic factors. In developing countries, large epidemics spread mainly through contaminated water; in developed countries, hepatitis E has always been considered a sporadic disease, closely associated to the travels to endemic areas, especially in Southeastern Asia. In the last years, this perception is significantly changing, because of an increasing number of autochthonous cases reported in many European countries. to describe the epidemiological picture of hepatitis E in Italy from 2007 to 2019. descriptive study based on the cases reported to the special surveillance of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA); case-control analytical study for the analysis of risk factors associated with hepatitis E. hepatitis E cases reported to SEIEVA in the period 2007-2019. number of cases notified by year, percentages of cases exposed to known risk factors, odds ratios. from January 2007 to June 2019, 385 hepatitis E cases were notified to SEIEVA. The annual number increased from 12 in 2007 to 49 in 2018, the increasing trend continued in 2019, when 39 cases were observed in the first 6 months of the year. Northern and Central Regions reported most of the cases; only a few were diagnosed in Southern Regions. Based on SEIEVA data, the trend of hepatitis E notifications has increased according to the increasing propensity to the differentiated diagnosis, at least until 2018. However, only 46% of suspected cases are tested to detect the presence of anti-HEV IgM antibodies, during the observation period; the percentage of tested cases is significantly lower in the South than in Northern and Central Italy (p<0.001). The reported cases have a median age of 48 years (range: 5-87) and are mostly males (80%); 32% was observed in foreign citizens mainly from endemic areas of South Asia (Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan). In 72.5% of cases, the infection was contracted in Italy. The most frequent risk factor is the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat, especially sausages (70% of cases), significantly associated with hepatitis E risk (OR 3.0; IC95% 1.4-6.1). Other important risk factors are wild boar sausages consumption (40% of cases, OR 4.6, not statistically significant), and travels to endemic areas during the six weeks before the disease (31% of cases, OR 3.2; IC95% 1.6-6.4). hepatitis E can now be considered as endemic even in industrialized countries. In Italy, from 2007 an increasing number of cases has been reported. However, the real impact of HEV infection is still underestimated due to the limited number of clinical centres which perform tests for the search of anti-HEV IgM antibodies in cases of acute hepatitis. An ad hoc surveillance has been activated in January 2019 in some Local Health Units/Regions and extended to a national level starting from January 2020. This initiative is necessary in order to better dimension the burden of the disease associated with HEV infection, to study its epidemiology, and to increase awareness of this infection among health professionals.

Prevalence and Trends of Hepatitis B and C Virus Biomarkers in Zimbabwe: Analyses of a Nation's Blood-Donor Surveillance Data, 2015 Through 2018, Plus Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Population Studies

Background: To inform national policy, we sought to describe the seroprevalence and trends of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) biomarkers. Methods: We analysed data for 181,248 consecutive blood-donors, aged 16-75 years, examined between January 2015 through December 2018. We calculated the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) of anti-HCV antibody and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) biomarkers. We also searched PubMed and African Journals Online databases, and meta-analysed selected papers from Zimbabwe published between 1970 and 2020 that reported on HBsAg and anti-HCV prevalence and met set criteria. Findings: There were 22 (11 for each sex) blood-donors seropositive for anti-HCV, accounting for an overall ASPR of 8·67 (95%CI, 0·25 – 17·09) per 100, 000 blood-donors, while 593 (414 males, 193 female) seropositive for HBsAg accounted for 2·26 (95%, 1·89 – 2·63) per 1,000 blood-donors. Mean ASPR for anti-HCV and HBsAg significantly increased 2·9-folds and 50%, p 41 years age-group, while for 16-20 age-group, HBsAg declined 0·06 per 1,000 donors per year, consistent with childhood HBV vaccinations introduced 25-years earlier. Meta-analysis of 9 studies comprising 220,127 persons tested for anti-HCV revealed ASPR of 0·05% (95% 0% - 0·19%) in blood-donors and 1·78% (95% 0·01% - 5·55%) in the general population, for an overall pooled ASPR of 0·44 (95%CI, 0·19% – 0·76%). 21 studies comprising 291,784 persons tested for HBsAg revealed ASPR of 0·65% (95%CI, 0·31% - 1·00%) in blood-donors and 4·31% (95%CI, 1·77% - 6·50%) in the general public for an overall pooled ASPR of 4·02% (95%CI, 3·55% - 4·48%), after HBV vaccine introduction, which were all significantly higher before HBV vaccine introductions. Interpretation: HBV prevalence is falling, consistent with introduction of HBV vaccination, while HCV prevalence is increasing in Zimbabwe. Improved blood-donor screening and studies with more informative biomarkers’, especially among repeat donors and children, are needed. Funding: None to declare. Declaration of Interest: None to declare. Ethical Approval: Ethical approval for this study was obtained from NBSZ (NBSZ006/2019) and Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (MRCZ/E/261).

1064. Hepatitis C Epidemiology at the Dallas County Jail: A Changing Demographic

BackgroundNearly 1 in 3 people living with HCV pass through the CJ system each year. As a result, the CJ system is a crucial location for Hepatitis C screening, education and linkage to care. We aim to 1) identify the prevalence and incidence of HCV and 2) evaluate HCV demographic trends at a large urban jail.MethodsUniversal opt-out HCV testing was offered in four separate testing cycles from 2015 to 2019 to any individual undergoing a routine blood draw at the Dallas County Jail (N=14490; Figure 1). HCV antibody (Ab) assay (LabCorp) was used with reflex RNA testing added on in 2017. Demographic variables were extracted from the electronic medical record for all tested, with risk factors collected from those who tested positive for HCV Ab (HCV Ab+). Multivariate logistic regression was performed.Figure 1. HCV Ab and HCV RNA positivity among people screened for HCV in the Dallas County Jail from 2015 to 2019 (N=14490). ResultsThe prevalence of HCV Ab+ was 16.7% in the Dallas County Jail; 75.3% of those who tested HCV Ab+ were also HCV RNA+ (Figure 1). The HCV Ab+ incidence rate was 13.5 cases per 1000 person-years. People who were HCV Ab+ were more frequently (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], p-value): older (1.07 (1.06-1.07), p< 0.001), female (1.24 [1.07-1.44], p=0.004), white (2.12 [1.83-2.45], p< 0.001), and in the birth cohort 1945-65 (1.79 [1.44-2.23], p< 0.001; Table 1). In earlier birth cohorts (1940s), black men were more often HCV Ab+; in more recent birth cohorts (1990s), white and Hispanic females were more often HCV Ab+ (Figure 2). Among individuals who tested HCV Ab+, IDU was more frequently reported by white individuals, particularly women, compared to black individuals (p< 0.001; Figure 3).Table 1. Demographic predictors of Hepatitis C Antibody positivity among those undergoing routine blood draws from 2015-19 at the Dallas County Jail (AIC 7041; BIC 7048; df 10; p<0.001). Figure 2. Trends of Hepatitis C Antibody prevalence and demographic prevalence ratios by birth year (prevalence ratio= proportion with disease/proportion with exposure) among people at the Dallas County Jail screened from 2017-2019 (N=10183). Demographic prevalence ratios were categorized by race (White, Hispanic, Black) and gender (Male, Female) into six categories. Gray bars represent the overall prevalence of HCV Ab+ by birth year. Figure 3. The racial demographics of injection drug use by gender among those who tested HCV Ab positive at the Dallas County Jail in 2017-2018 (n=672; total population p<0.001; male p=0.004; female p=0.008). ConclusionThe high prevalence and incidence of HCV at the Dallas County Jail argues for routine, universal testing and linkage to treatment. Additionally, demographic trends mirror the IDU epidemic and have valuable implications for risk reduction and treatment interventions.Disclosures Ank E. Nijhawan, MD, MPH, Gilead (Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator, Research Grant or Support)

A multi-centre study of trends in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma risk over time during long-term entecavir therapy.

The risk of developing hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is reduced by antiviral therapy. Here, we evaluated the chronological trends in HCC development risk starting in 2007, when entecavir reimbursement was first initiated in South Korea. Treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving entecavir 0.5mg/d were stratified into three groups according to entecavir start time: early (2007-2010), middle (2011-2012) and late (2013-2014) cohorts Among 2442 patients, cumulative probabilities of developing HCC after 1, 3 and 5years were, respectively, 1.7%, 5.1%, and 8.2% (early cohort; n=672); 1.5%, 5.1% and 8.9% (middle cohort; n=757); and 1.2%, 5.3% and 10.6% (late cohort; n=1013; P>.05 between each pair). Older age, male, positive hepatitis B e antigen, liver cirrhosis, Child-Pugh class B (vs A) and lower platelet count significantly predicted HCC development in univariate analysis (P<.001), whereas entecavir start time (early vs middle vs late cohorts) did not affect the risk of HCC development (P=.457). A multivariate analysis revealed that older age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=1.041), male gender (aHR=2.069), liver cirrhosis (aHR=3.771) and Child-Pugh class B (vs A, aHR=1.548) were independently associated with an increased risk of HCC development, whereas higher platelet count was independently associated with a reduced risk of HCC development (aHR=0.993; all P<.05). In conclusion, the risk of developing HCC among patients receiving entecavir in South Korea has been stable since 2007. To establish more effective HCC surveillance programs, further studies regarding the carcinogenic roles of nonviral factors are required.

Hepatitis C and hepatitis C-related advanced liver disease hospitalisation trends before and after the Strategic Plan for Tackling Hepatitis C in the National Health System.

This work evaluates the burden and trends of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated hospitalisations in Spain before and after the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Tackling Hepatitis C in the National Health System in 2015. HCV-related hospitalisation discharges from 2005 to 2017 were obtained from the National Registry of Hospitalisations. A descriptive analysis of the hospitalisations was performed. From 2005 to 2017, there were 674 067 HCV-related hospitalisations: 1.2%, 29.9%, 63.9% and 5% of them due to acute, carriers, chronic and unspecified hepatitis C. Average age of the patients was 57.7 years (SD: 16.4), average hospital stay was 9.1 days (SD: 12.2) and intra-hospital case-fatality rate was 6.5%. Hospitalisation rates decreased notably (P < 0.05) in 2016-2017 compared to 2005-2015 for all [hospitalisation rate ratio (HRR): 0.77], males (HRR: 0.80), females (HRR: 0.74), chronic hepatitis C (HRR: 0.84), non-advanced liver disease (N-AdLD) (HRR: 0.80) and AdLD (HRR: 0.73). Acute HCV (HRR: 0.54) and carriers (HRR: 0.49) show decreases in 2016-2017 vs. 2005-2015, although their rates started to decrease in 2008/2009. Unspecified HCV hospitalisation rates increased (P < 0.05) in 2016-2017 (HRR: 2.02) vs. 2005-2015. From 2015 to 2017, cost per patient increased from 5981 euros to 6349 euros, but overall cost decreased, as hospitalisations rates decreased from 302 to 264 million euros. HCV-related hospitalisation rates decreased notably in 2016 and 2017 after the strategic plan for tackling hepatitis C was launched. Although cost per AdLD patient increased in 2016 and 2017, globally costs were reduced around 35 million euros per year.

Seroprevalence and Trend of HBV, HCV, and HIV Infections among Blood Donors of Fars Province, Iran (2006-2018).

Blood transfusion is a life-saving procedure; millions of lives are saved each year. However, blood transfusions are associated with certain risks that can lead to adverse consequences. This study aimed to survey the prevalence and trend of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among blood donors of Fars province, Iran (2006-2018). This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing the records of the blood transfusion organization of Fars province. A total of 1952478 blood units were screened for transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs). Then, data were entered into SPSS software (Negare. version 25). Chi-square test was used to compare the sof TTIs among blood donors. Chisquare test for trend was used to analyze the variations in trends of TTIs during this period. Finally, p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. GraphPad Prism software was used for the depiction of the graphs. Among the 1952478 blood donations within the 13-years, 4479(0.229 %) of donors were HBsAg, HCV Ab, and HIV Ag-Ab positive. The seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV was 2684(0.137%), 1703(0.087 %), and 92(0.0047%), respectively. The current study showed that the overall prevalence of TTIs among blood donors was low and had a descending trend over the years of study.

Recent trends in hepatitis A incidence in Brazil.

Hepatitis A incidence has been decreasing in Brazil since child vaccination was implemented in 2014. This trend was interrupted by an outbreak among adult male in São Paulo in 2017. This study was outlined to estimate whether the increase of hepatitis A cases among adult men in Brazil was restricted to São Paulo. Cases reported to the national surveillance system from 14 large cities of all Brazilian regions were analyzed. Trends in time series from 2012 to 2018 were estimated by Prais-Winsten regression. The outbreak in São Paulo extended to 2018. In Rio de Janeiro, the number of cases rose again, achieving the same levels reported before the vaccination era. Three of six cities from South and Southeast regions showed an upward trend in the number of cases among adult men (P < .005). The large cities in the other three Brazilian macroregions showed a decrease or stabilization of cases without an increase among male adults. The increase of hepatitis A virus (HAV) cases in Brazil has happened not only in São Paulo, but also in other cities of South and Southeast regions. The northernmost cities were not affected. A change in the epidemiological pattern of HAV infection is emerging in Southern Brazil.

Seroprevalence and Trend of Hepatitis B and C Viral Infections in Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Southern India- A Retrospective Study

Seroprevalence and Trend of Hepatitis B and C Viral Infections in Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Southern India- A Retrospective Study

Evaluate the prevalence and trend of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in Nahavand: west of Iran, 2013–2017

Evaluate the prevalence and trend of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in Nahavand: west of Iran, 2013–2017

Declining trends in Hepatitis A seroprevalence over the past two decades, 1998–2017, in Pune, Western India

Reduction in seroprevalence of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is known to be associated with improvements in socioeconomic conditions of the community. National Institute of Virology, Pune has been studying seroprevalence of hepatitis viruses in Pune region over the past four decades. In total, 1438 samples were collected from urban general (UGEN), urban lower socioeconomic stratum (ULSES) and rural (RURAL) populations of the Pune district. Based on estimates in previous studies, subjects were enrolled from age groups '6-10', '15-25' and '40 + ' years. HAV seroprevalence in younger population showed a significant decline. A significant decline in HAV seroprevalence in '15-25' years age group in UGEN (from 85.9% to 73.9%; OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.25-0.86) and RURAL (from 98.6% to 91.4%; OR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.05-0.45) populations suggested that the trend probably started more than a decade ago. Seroprevalence of HAV among ULSES '6-10' children was found to be significantly higher (70.4%) than that among the RURAL children (44.2%; OR = 3.0, 95%CI: 1.7-5.2) and UGEN children (40.4%; OR = 3.5, 95%CI: 1.8-6.7). In view of increasing rates of urbanisation in India, ULSES population needs special consideration while designing future studies and viral hepatitis vaccination/elimination strategies. Our findings call for robust population-based studies that consider heterogeneity within populations and dynamics of socio-economic parameters in various regions of a country.

National Trends in Hepatitis C Infection by Opioid Use Disorder Status Among Pregnant Women at Delivery Hospitalization - United States, 2000-2015.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted primarily through parenteral exposures to infectious blood or body fluids that contain blood (e.g., via injection drug use, needle stick injuries) (1). In the last 10 years, increases in HCV infection in the general U.S. population (1) and among pregnant women (2) are attributed to a surge in injection drug use associated with the opioid crisis. Opioid use disorders among pregnant women have increased (3), and approximately 68% of pregnant women with HCV infection have opioid use disorder (4). National trends in HCV infection among pregnant women by opioid use disorder status have not been reported to date. CDC analyzed hospital discharge data from the 2000-2015 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) to determine whether HCV infection trends differ by opioid use disorder status at delivery. During this period, the national rate of HCV infection among women giving birth increased >400%, from 0.8 to 4.1 per 1,000 deliveries. Among women with opioid use disorder, rates of HCV infection increased 148%, from 87.4 to 216.9 per 1,000 deliveries, and among those without opioid use disorder, rates increased 271%, although the rates in this group were much lower, increasing from 0.7 to 2.6 per 1,000 deliveries. These findings align with prior ecological data linking hepatitis C increases with the opioid crisis (2). Treatment of opioid use disorder should include screening and referral for related conditions such as HCV infection.

Epidemic characteristics of hepatitis C in Shenzhen, 2008-2017

Objective To explore the epidemic characteristics and trend of hepatitis C in Shenzhen, and to provide a theoretical basis for effective strategy for general prevention and control of hepatitis C. Methods The incidence data of hepatitis C in Shenzhen during 2008-2017 were collected from national diseases reporting information system from Chinese Information System for Diseases Control and Prevention to conduct descriptive epidemiological analysis. Results A total of 18 671 cases of hepatitis C reported in Shenzhen from 2008 to 2017, and the incidence ranged from 14.16/100 000 to 22.31/ 100 000, the average incidence rate was 18.54/100 000. It showed low morbidity, no death, no agglomeration, no obvious seasonal high incidence, but the overall incidence showed a slow upward trend. All ages had morbidity, and the cases were mainly concentrated in the 20-50 age group. The annual incidence of the 0-year-old group in Shenzhen was maintained at around 15 cases, and the incidence of the under 10 years old group accounted for 1.2% of all cases. The population of hepatitis C in Shenzhen were mainly due to household chores and workers. Conclusion The incidence of hepatitis C in Shenzhen is mainly dominated by young, middle- aged and household chores, workers people. At the same time, mother- to- child transmission is also one of the important ways for hepatitis C transmission in Shenzhen. Therefore, we will continue to carry out health education and risk behavior interventions for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis C infection in migrating populations, enhance their awareness of prevention, reduce behavioral risks and conduct prenatal examinations. The implementation of hepatitis C maternal and child blockade is the most effective way to prevent and control hepatitis C in Shenzhen. 摘要： 目的 分析深圳市丙肝发生、流行特征及变化趋势, 为制定有针对性的丙肝防控措施提供理论依据。 方法 对中国疾病预防控制信息系统“传染病报告信息管理系统” 2008—2017 年报告的深圳市丙肝病例信息进行描述 性分析。 结果 深圳市 2008—2017 年累计报告丙肝病例数18 671例, 发病率在14.16/10万~22.31/10万之间, 年均发病 率18.54/10万, 呈现出无死亡、无聚集性疫情、无明显季节性高发的散发特征, 但总体发病呈缓慢上升趋势。各年龄组 均有发病, 病例主要集中在20~50岁年龄组。深圳市0岁组年发病数维持在15例左右, 10岁组以下的发病占到全部病 例数的1.2%。深圳市丙肝发病人群主要以家务待业及工人为主。 结论 深圳市丙肝的发病主要以青壮年劳务工和家 务待业人群为主; 同时, 母婴传播也是深圳市丙肝传播的主要途径之一。因此, 持续开展针对流动人群丙肝感染防治 知识的健康教育和危险行为的干预, 增强其防范意识, 降低行为风险以及开展母婴阻断是深圳市预防和控制丙肝的最 有效的手段。

Trends in Hepatitis B Infection and Immunity Among Women of Childbearing Age in the United States.

The current opioid injection drug use epidemic has been associated with an increase in hepatitis C virus infections among women of childbearing age in the United States, but changes in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections have not been studied. A retrospective analysis of HBV statuses among women of childbearing age nationally and by state was conducted, utilizing the Quest Diagnostics database. Rates of HBV in women born before and after the implementation of universal HBV vaccination recommendations were determined. We identified 8 871 965 women tested for HBV from 2011-2017. Nationally, the annual rate of acute HBV infections was stable, but rates increased in Kentucky, Alabama, and Indiana (P < .03). The national prevalence of new, chronic HBV diagnoses decreased significantly, from 0.83% in 2011 to 0.19% in 2017 (P < .0001), but increased in Mississippi, Kentucky, and West Virginia (P ≤ .05). A declining prevalence of HBV seroprotection was evident over time, especially within the birth-dose cohort (which dropped from 48.5% to 38.5%; P < .0001). National rates of newly diagnosed acute and chronic HBV infections declined or were stable overall, but increased significantly in specific Appalachian states. The HBV vaccine is effective in decreasing infections, but seroprotection wanes over time. These trends in new infections may be related to increased injection drug use and highlight potential gaps in HBV vaccine protection.

Trends in hepatitis B prevalence and associated risk factors among Indigenous and non‐Indigenous prison entrants in Australia, 2004 to 2013

ObjectiveThis study describes and compares prevalence trends of markers for hepatitis B (HBV) from 2004 to 2013 and HBV risk factors between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous prison entrants. MethodsA cross‐sectional survey carried out over two weeks in 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013 in reception prisons in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania. ResultsThe study included 2,223 prison entrants; 544 were Indigenous. Indigenous prison entrants had significantly higher hepatitis B core antibody (anti‐HBc) prevalence than non‐Indigenous prisoners in 2004 (29% vs. 18%, P=0.026), 2007 (40% vs. 15%, P<0.001) and 2010 (21% vs. 16% 2010, P=0.002), and similar anti‐HBc prevalence to non‐Indigenous entrants in 2013 (14% vs. 14%, P=0.888), with a significant decline from 2007 for Indigenous entrants (P=0.717)ᶺ. Being more than 30 years old and coming from an area classified as ‘non‐highly accessible’ were associated with anti‐HBc positivity in both populations. For Indigenous prison entrants, first time in prison and survey year was associated with anti‐HBc positivity. For non‐Indigenous participants, a history of injecting drug use and body piercings was associated with anti‐HBc positivity. ConclusionThere are unique risk factors associated with HBV prevalence for both Indigenous and non‐Indigenous prison entrants. Implications for public healthIn developing public health programs and policies for HBV, consideration of similarities and differences of associated HBV risk factors between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous offenders is required.

Measuring trends in hepatitis C testing with commercial laboratory data

ObjectiveUsing the two largest commercial laboratory data sources nationally, we estimated the annual rates of hepatitis C testing among individuals who were recommended to be tested (i.e., baby boomer cohort born between 1945 and 1965) by the CDC and United States Preventive Services Task Force. This panel will discuss strengths and weaknesses for monitoring hepatitis C testing using alternative data sources including self-reported data, insurance claims data, and laboratory testing data.IntroductionHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of liver disease-related morbidity and mortality in the United States. Approximately 75% of people infected with chronic HCV were born between 1945 and 1965. Since 2012, the CDC has recommended one-time screening for chronic HCV infection for all persons in this birth cohort (baby boomers). The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) subsequently made the same recommendation in June 2013. We estimated the rate of HCV testing between 2011 and 2017 among persons with commercial health insurance coverage and compared rates by birth cohort.MethodsHepatitis C virus testing data were obtained from Quest Diagnostics (Quest) and Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp), two large U.S. commercial laboratories serving clinicians and hospitals in all 50 U.S states and the District of Columbia. Analysis was based on de-identified person-level data from HCV antibody immunoassay tests ordered by clinicians in the U.S. between 2011 and in 2017 (with LabCorp data in 2017 limited to January through October). HCV antibody testing rates were calculated and defined as: the number of unique individuals who received their first HCV antibody test during a particular month per 100 unique individuals who had any laboratory test performed by the commercial laboratory during the same month, presented as an annual average (mean) testing rate. Persons born between 1945 and 1965 were classified as baby boomers and compared to persons born in all other years.ResultsIn 2011, prior to the CDC recommendation change, rates of HCV antibody testing relative to overall testing with each cohort were higher for the non-baby boomer cohort served by both Quest and LabCorp. In contrast, from 2012 thorugh2017, testing was more frequent among baby boomers than among non-baby boomers as a proportion of overall testing in each cohort. The rate of testing among baby boomers served by Quest rose from 1.7 per 100 test requests in 2011 to 3.8 per 100, an increase of 131%, while the rate of testing among non-baby boomers rose from 2.3 per 100 to 3.1 per 100, a 35% increase. Changes among patients served by LabCorp were nearly identical; a 132% increase among baby boomers (1.7 per 100 in 2011 to 4.0 per 100 in 2017) and a 31% increase among non-baby boomers (1.7 per 100 in 2011 to 3.2 per 100 in 2017).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the utility of commercial laboratory data for assessing changes in HCV testing, as well as the potential impact of national recommendations supporting HCV testing of baby boomers. The study also highlights a prominent, the increase in HCV antibody testing in 2017 relative to 2011, prior to the recommendation change.

Trends in hepatitis C treatment initiation among HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected men engaged in primary care in a multisite community health centre in Maryland: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectivesLittle is known about the cascade of hepatitis C care among HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients in community-based clinics. Thus, we analysed our data from the interferon era to understand...

Seropositivity and trends of hepatitis B surface antigen among voluntary blood donors in a tertiary care hospital blood bank in South India

Seropositivity and trends of hepatitis B surface antigen among voluntary blood donors in a tertiary care hospital blood bank in South India

The Epidemiology and Trend of Hepatitis C Infection in Hamadan Province: West of Iran, 2011-2016

The Epidemiology and Trend of Hepatitis C Infection in Hamadan Province: West of Iran, 2011-2016