scholarly journals Viral hepatitis associated hepatocellular carcinoma on the African continent, the past, present, and future: a systematic review

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ottovon Bismark Dakurah ◽  
Cynthia Raissa Tchuem Tamandjou ◽  
Moleen Zunza ◽  
Wolfgang Preiser ◽  
Tongai Gibson Maponga

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Africa. In Africa, the major causes of HCC include chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Knowledge of the changes in the incidence of viral hepatitis-associated HCC over time and the factors responsible for such changes is key in informing policies for the prevention of viral hepatitis-associated HCC in Africa. Aim The study aimed to systematically summarize the changes in the prevalence of viral hepatitis among HCC patients and the overall effect of the prevalence of viral hepatitis on the incidence of HCC over the past four decades in Africa (1980–2019). Methods A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and African wide web for articles published on viral hepatitis-associated HCC in Africa from 1980 to 2019. The abstracts of the articles were screened for eligibility and those meeting the inclusion criteria were retrieved and reviewed. Results A total of 272 studies were included in the analysis. Viral hepatitis-related HCC incidence changed by 1.17% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63–1.71, p < 0.001), 0.82% (95% CI: 0.45–1.18, p < 0.001), and 3.34% (95% CI: 2.44–4.25, p < 0.001) for every 1% change in the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and hepatitis D virus (HDV) respectively, per decade. The incidence of HBV-related HCC decreased by − 0.50% (95% CI: − 0.74 – − 0.25, p < 0.001) over the last 40 years, while HCV-related HCC increased. Conclusion Overall, the incidence of viral hepatitis-associated HCC has not declined, mainly due to no decline in the prevalence of HCV, HDV, and the high number of chronic hepatitis B carriers on the African continent. There is an urgent need for the allocation of resources for the implementation of treatment and preventive programs for HBV, HCV, HDV, and HCC in Africa. This systematic review is registered with PROSPERO®, number CRD42020169723.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ottovon Bismark Dakurah ◽  
Cynthia Raissa Tchuem Tamandjou ◽  
Moleen Zunza ◽  
Wolfgang Preiser ◽  
Tongai Gibson Maponga

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Africa. In Africa, the major causes of HCC include chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Knowledge of the changes in the incidence of viral hepatitis-associated HCC over time and the factors responsible for such changes is key in informing policies for the prevention of viral hepatitis-associated HCC in Africa. Aim: The study aimed to systematically summarize the changes in the incidence of viral hepatitis-associated HCC in Africa over a four-decade period (1980-2020).Methods: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and African wide web for articles published on viral hepatitis-associated HCC in Africa from 1980-2020. The abstracts of the articles were screened for eligibility and those meeting the inclusion criteria were retrieved and reviewed.Results: A total of 272 studies were included in the analysis. Viral hepatitis-related HCC incidence changed by 1.17% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63 – 1.71, p < 0.001), 0.82% (95% CI: 0.45 – 1.18, p < 0.001), and 3.34% (95% CI: 2.44 – 4.25, p < 0.001) for every 1% change in the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and hepatitis D virus (HDV) respectively, per decade. The incidence of HBV-related HCC changed significantly by -0.50% (95% CI: -0.74 – -0.25, p < 0.001) over the last 40 years, while HCV-related HCC increased.Conclusion: Overall, the incidence of viral hepatitis-associated HCC has not declined, mainly due to no decline in the prevalence of HCV, HDV, and the high number of chronic hepatitis B carriers on the African continent. There is an urgent need for the allocation of resources for the implementation of treatment and preventive programs for HBV, HCV, HDV, and HCC in Africa.This systematic review is registered with PROSPERO®, number CRD42020169723.


1985 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11
Author(s):  
Saul Krugman

During the past two decades extraordinary advances in hepatitis research have clarified the etiology and natural history of the disease. At least four types of hepatitis have been identified: A, B, D (delta), and non-A, non-B. Hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis D virus (HDV) have been characterized. Serologic tests have been developed to detect the antigens and antibodies associated with these three hepatitis infections. As of the present time, the non-A, non-B viral agents have not been identified. Therefore, non-A, non-B hepatitis is diagnosed by excluding other viral causes of hepatitis, such as hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and others. A recent report indicating that non-A, non-B hepatitis may be caused by a retrovirus, if confirmed, may provide a specific marker of this infection. The course of viral hepatitis is variable; it may be an asymptomatic, anteric infection, or it may be an acute illness characterized by fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Most patients recover completely, but occasionally the infection may be complicated by chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and, occasionally, by a fulminant fatal outcome. This review will be devoted predominantly to a discussion of the diagnostic and prophylactic aspects of hepatitis A and hepatitis B viral infections.


2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-158
Author(s):  
Irina Dinu ◽  
◽  
Mihai Voiculescu ◽  
Andreea Radasan ◽  
◽  
...  

Introduction. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary liver cancer (90%), the 5th neoplasia in terms of incidence and the 3rd mortality cause worldwide (1). This increased mortality is the consequence of diagnosis in an advanced state and of the fact that most HCC develop based on a chronic hepatic pathology. In Romania, around 7% of the population is affected by chronic hepatitis B, the incidence of this disease being increased in urban areas (2). The sooner the hepatitis B virus infection occurs in life, the higher the probability is, for this to become chronic and to lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis D only occurs among people who are infected with the Hepatitis B virus because HDV is an incomplete virus that requires the helper function of HBV to replicate. Objective of the study. The main purpose of the surveillance and/or screening is to decrease mortality and morbidity by means of liver cancer for patients diagnosed with hepatitis B and hepatitis D. Matherial and methods. The study was conducted on a number of 102 patients diagnosed with viral hepatitis (HBV, HDV+HBV) admitted at the “Fundeni” Hospital, Bucharest, between 2012-2015. Two batches of patients were taken into account (patients with hepatitis B and hepatitis D). The viral load and chosen treatment were clinically, biochemically and imagistically evaluated. Results. We have noticed a significant increase in patients diagnosed with hepatitis B and D. The existence of the hepatitis D infection in patients diagnosed with hepatitis B significantly increases the occurence potential of liver cancer. The hepatic destruction degree by means of cirrhotic liver occurence respectively hepatic cirrhosisis much higher for patients diagnosed with hepatitis D. Conclusions. The close monitoring of the patients in this research program brings real benefit for the prevention of liver cancer and diagnosing it early, having a much better prognosis on the quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Peng ◽  
Zhuonan Li ◽  
Zishan Xie ◽  
Zhanpeng Wang ◽  
Yanshuo Ye ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been widely used for many years as a serum marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, AFP has been recognized as having poor sensitivity. More and more studies have concluded that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) might be a promising biomarker that could complement AFP. However, the diagnostic ability of circulating miRNAs has varied among the studies. Therefore, we performed the present meta-analysis to appraise the diagnostic performance of circulating miRNAs as a biomarker for hepatitis B virus-associated HCC (HBV-HCC) patients with low AFP levels. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature to assess the diagnostic accuracy of circulating miRNAs in differentiating HBV-HCC patients with low AFP levels from non-HCC controls. Results: Circulating miRNAs showed promising potential in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC patients with low AFP levels. In the low-AFP HBV-HCC patients, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84–0.90). The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.78–0.88) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.69–0.83), respectively. Conclusions: The detection of circulating miRNAs provides a valuable method for the diagnosis of HBV-HCC in patients with low AFP levels.


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