scholarly journals A comparison of hepatitis B seroepidemiology in ten European countries

2008 ◽  
Vol 137 (7) ◽  
pp. 961-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. NARDONE ◽  
C. G. ANASTASSOPOULOU ◽  
H. THEETEN ◽  
B. KRIZ ◽  
I. DAVIDKIN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
International Comparisons ◽  
European Countries ◽  
World Health ◽  
Core Antigen ◽  
Hbv Vaccination ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Testing Algorithm

SUMMARYTo inform current and future vaccination strategies, we describe the seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in ten representative European countries using standardized serology that allowed international comparisons. Between 1996 and 2003, national serum banks were compiled by collecting residual sera or by community sampling; sera were then tested by each country using its preferred enzyme immunoassays and testing algorithm, and assay results were standardized. Information on current and past HBV vaccination programmes in each country was also collected. Of the ten countries, six reported low levels (<3%) of antibodies against HBV core antigen (anti-HBc). Of the eight countries testing for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), the highest prevalence was reported in Romania (5·6%) and in the remaining seven countries prevalence was <1%. Universal HBV vaccination programmes had been established in seven countries as recommended by the World Health Organization, but the seroprevalence of antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs) was lower than the reported vaccine coverage in three countries. Regular serological surveys to ascertain HBV status within a population, such as reported here, provide important data to assess the need for and to evaluate universal HBV vaccination programmes.

scholarly journals Benefits and Risks of Antiviral Treatment during Pregnancy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2320
Author(s):  
Yoon Seok Lee ◽  
Soo Min Bang ◽  
Young-Sun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Antiviral Therapy ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
World Health ◽  
Chronic Hbv Infection ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Chronic Hbv ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Meta Analyses

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a main cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and can lead to severe liver diseases. The World Health Organization has planned to eliminate viral hepatitis, including hepatitis caused by HBV and hepatitis C virus, by 2030. As mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV is a main cause of chronic HBV infection, MTCT prevention is the main target to reduce the risk of chronic HBV infection and eliminate the disease. Recent clinical trials and meta-analyses found that antiviral therapy could prevent MTCT effectively in mothers with ≥200,000 IU/mL of HBV DNA, in combination with serial vaccination and hepatitis B immune globulin administration in infants. Despite the preventive role of antivirals for MTCT of HBV, there are several concerns regarding antiviral therapy with respect to the safety of the mother and fetus during pregnancy. This review summarizes the benefits and risks of antiviral treatment during pregnancy in women with chronic HBV infection.

scholarly journals Hepatitis B Virus Elimination in the U.S.: Time to Dismantle Barriers and Implement Solutions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su Wang ◽  
Chari Cohen ◽  
Amy S. Tang ◽  
Camilla S. Graham
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Virus Elimination ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Purpose of Review The World Health Organization has set a target for the elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as a public health threat by 2030, but the U.S. is not currently on track. In this review, we describe specific barriers to HBV elimination, provide examples of potential solutions, and offer recommendations for how the U.S. can reach HBV elimination goals. Recent Findings In the U.S., there are many barriers to eliminating hepatitis B, worsened by the siloing of healthcare and public health services. In recent years, we have not seen progress toward improving HBV screening or adult vaccination, and acute cases are on the rise. Current policies, guidelines, and recommendations can hinder elimination progress. Summary Simple policy and guideline changes will allow us to decentralize and scale-up hepatitis B screening, vaccination, and care. Dismantling current barriers will be critical to eliminating hepatitis B in the U.S.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus in Taiwan 30 years after the commencement of the national vaccination program

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang-Cheng Hu ◽  
Chih-Ching Yeh ◽  
Ruey-Yu Chen ◽  
Chien-Tien Su ◽  
Wen-Chang Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Surface Antigen ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
Vaccination Program ◽  
Core Antigen ◽  
Hbsag Positivity ◽  
Hbv Vaccination ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Chronic Hbv

BackgroundIn this study, the long-term efficacy of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination was assessed using seroprevalence and an age–period–cohort (APC) model of HBV seromarkers among university entrants 30 years after the introduction of the national neonatal HBV vaccination program in Taiwan.MethodsIn total, data of 17,611 university entrants who underwent university entrance health examinations between 2005 and 2016 were included. The seroprevalence of the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and the levels of the antibody against the HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) in each year group and sex were calculated. The levels of the antibody against the HBV core antigen were examined only for 2012 and 2016. The APC model was used to analyze the HBV carrier rates.ResultsThe chronic HBV infection (HBsAg positivity) rate decreased from 9.7% in university students born before June 1974 to <1.0% in students born after 1992. The prevalence of anti-HBs positivity declined, particularly between the 1984–1988 cohort (78.2%–53.2%) and the 1990–1994 cohort (60.6%–44.4%). Our APC model revealed that the chronic HBV carrier rate among the student population was affected significantly by age, period, and cohort (P < 0.001).ConclusionsHBV vaccination is one of the most effective strategies for preventing HBV infection. However, for complete eradication of HBV infection, the development of strategies that detect vaccination failure more effectively than current strategies do and early implementation of appropriate treatments are both necessary.

Frequency and load of hepatitis B virus DNA in first-time blood donors with antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen

Blood ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 100 (7) ◽  
pp. 2637-2641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holger Hennig ◽  
Ines Puchta ◽  
Jürgen Luhm ◽  
Peter Schlenke ◽  
Siegfried Goerg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Hbv Dna ◽  
World Health ◽  
Core Antigen ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Blood Donations ◽  
B Virus ◽  
First Time

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and load of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in anti-HBc–positive first-time blood donors; it was designed to contribute to determining whether anti-HBc screening of blood donations might reduce the residual risk of posttransfusion HBV infection. A total of 14 251 first-time blood donors were tested for anti-HBc using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay; positive results were confirmed by a second enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the detection of HBV DNA from plasma samples, we developed a novel and highly sensitive real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The 95% detection limit of the method amounted to 27.8 IU/mL, consistent with the World Health Organization (WHO) international standard for HBV DNA. A total of 216 blood donors (1.52%) tested anti-HBc–positive in both tests, and 205 of them (16 HBsAg+, 189 HBsAg−) were tested for HBV DNA. In 14 (87.5%) of the HBsAg-positive blood donors, HBV DNA was repeatedly detected, and in 3 (1.59%) of the HBsAg-negative donors, HBV DNA was also found repeatedly. In the 3 HBV DNA–positive, HBsAg-negative cases, anti-HBe and anti-HBs (> 100 IU/L) were also detectable. HBV DNA in HBsAg-negative as well as HBsAg-positive samples was seen at a low level. Thus, HBV DNA is sometimes found in HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc–positive, and anti-HBs–positive donors. Retrospective studies on regular blood donors and recipients are necessary to determine the infection rate due to those donations. Routine anti-HBc screening of blood donations could probably prevent some transfusion-transmitted HBV infections.

scholarly journals Hepatitis B Virus Molecular Epidemiology, Host-Virus Interaction, Coinfection, and Laboratory Diagnosis in the MENA Region: An Update

Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duaa W. Al-Sadeq ◽  
Sara A. Taleb ◽  
Roan E. Zaied ◽  
Sara M. Fahad ◽  
Maria K. Smatti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Health Organization

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped partial double-stranded DNA virus that can cause acute and chronic hepatitis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 257 million people are living with HBV. Moreover, 20,900 acute hepatitis B cases were reported in 2016. Hepatitis B is highly prevalent in the African, Western Pacific, Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and European regions, respectively. Due to the high mutational rate of HBV and lack of reverse transcriptase proofreading activity, ten different genotypes with different geographical distributions have been identified. HBV pathogenesis and severity of infection depend on several host and viral factors, particularly, the genetic variability of both the host and virus. Although HBV infection is a global health concern, there is a lack of adequate studies and reports in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Here, we provide a review on HBV epidemiology, pathogenesis, host–pathogen interactions, coinfection with selected viruses, and laboratory diagnosis, focusing on studies conducted in the MENA region to determine the current situation of the HBV infection and outline the future study areas.

Adoption of Hepatitis B Virus-Infected Foreign-Born Children

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 891-892
Author(s):  
MARGARET K. HOSTETTER ◽  
DANA JOHNSON
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
World Health ◽  
Adopted Children ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Internationally Adopted Children ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Internationally Adopted

In Reply.— We thank Dr Sokol for his detailed comments on hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in internationally adopted children. Several issues which he has raised deserve special attention. 1. Previous reports of HBV infection in internationally adopted children had detected a substantially lower preyalence of this disease than did our study.1-5 Indeed, two studies in Korean infants3,5 place the prevalence of HBV infection at 2.8% to 4.3%, a figure which is approximately one third of that reported for Asian countries as a whole in surveillance studies conducted by the World Health Organization.6

scholarly journals Implications of Birth-Dose Vaccination against Hepatitis B Virus in Southeast Asia

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 374
Author(s):  
Sheikh Mohammad Fazle Akbar ◽  
Mamun Al Mahtab ◽  
Ferdousi Begum ◽  
Shaikh A. Shahed Hossain ◽  
Sukumar Sarker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
World Health ◽  
Hepatitis B Vaccination ◽  
Regional Office ◽  
Expanded Program Of Immunization ◽  
Control Goal ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Birth Dose ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) covers 11 countries with a combined population of about 2 billion people, making it the most populous of the six WHO regions. In 1992, the WHO advocated including the hepatitis B vaccine in the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) and vaccinating all infants and children three times within 1 year of birth (HepB3). Recently, the WHO advocate birth-dose hepatitis B vaccination (HepB-BD) as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours. In 2016, the SEARO endorsed a regional hepatitis B control goal with a target of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroprevalence of ≤1% among children aged ≥5 years by 2020. Of the 11 SEARO countries, four achieved this target on schedule. Out of these four countries, two countries (Bangladesh and Nepal) have not adopted HepB-BD in EPI program. On the other hand, the coverage of HepB3 is not satisfactory in some SEARO countries, including India which adopted HepB-BD but could not achieve the overall target of SEARO. Thus, it is a point of debate whether emphasis should be placed on proper implementation of HepB3 or whether a new agenda of HepB-BD should be incorporated in developing countries of SEARO. The article discusses strengthening and expanding the Hepatitis B vaccination program in SEARO countries with an emphasis on HepB and HepB-BD programs.

scholarly journals Molecular Characterization of Near Full-Length Genomes of Hepatitis B Virus Isolated from Predominantly HIV Infected Individuals in Botswana

Genes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motswedi Anderson ◽  
Wonderful Choga ◽  
Sikhulile Moyo ◽  
Trevor Bell ◽  
Tshepiso Mbangiwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Viral Evolution ◽  
Full Length ◽  
World Health ◽  
Genotype Distribution ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
First Time

The World Health Organization plans to eliminate hepatitis B and C Infections by 2030. Therefore, there is a need to study and understand hepatitis B virus (HBV) epidemiology and viral evolution further, including evaluating occult (HBsAg-negative) HBV infection (OBI), given that such infections are frequently undiagnosed and rarely treated. We aimed to molecularly characterize HBV genomes from 108 individuals co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) or OBI identified from previous HIV studies conducted in Botswana from 2009 to 2012. Full-length (3.2 kb) and nearly full-length (~3 kb) genomes were amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequences from OBI participants were compared to sequences from CHB participants and GenBank references to identify OBI-unique mutations. HBV genomes from 50 (25 CHB and 25 OBI) individuals were successfully genotyped. Among OBI participants, subgenotype A1 was identified in 12 (48%), D3 in 12 (48%), and E in 1 (4%). A similar genotype distribution was observed in CHB participants. Whole HBV genome sequences from Botswana, representing OBI and CHB, were compared for the first time. There were 43 OBI-unique mutations, of which 26 were novel. Future studies using larger sample sizes and functional analysis of OBI-unique mutations are warranted.

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