scholarly journals Hepatitis A Virus Strains Circulating in the Campania Region (2015–2018) Assessed through Bivalve Biomonitoring and Environmental Surveillance

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Giuseppina La Rosa ◽  
Pamela Mancini ◽  
Giusy Bonanno Ferraro ◽  
Marcello Iaconelli ◽  
Carolina Veneri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Campania Region ◽  
Prevalent Strain ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Bivalve Shellfish ◽  
Virus Strains ◽  
Coastal Discharge

The genetic diversity of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) circulating in the Campania Region in years 2015–2018 was investigated through the monitoring of sentinel bivalve shellfish and water matrices. Overall, 463 water samples (71 sewage samples, 353 coastal discharge waters, and 39 seawaters samples), and 746 bivalve shellfish samples were analyzed. Positivity for HAV was detected in 20/71 sewage samples, 14/353 coastal discharge waters, 5/39 seawaters, and 102/746 bivalve shellfish. Sixty-one of the positive samples were successfully sequenced and were characterized as genotype IA (n = 50) and IB (n = 11). The prevalent strain circulating in 2015 in both bivalves and waters was the IA strain responsible for the outbreak occurring around the same time in the Naples area. This variant was no longer identified in subsequent years (2017–2018) when, instead, appeared two of the IA variants of the multistate outbreak affecting men who have sex with men (MSM), VRD_521_2016, and RIVM-HAV16–090, with the former prevailing in both shellfish and water environments. HAV IB isolates were detected over the years in shellfish and in water matrices, but not in clinical samples, suggesting that this genotype had been circulating silently. An integrated surveillance system (environment/food/clinical cases) can be a useful tool to monitor changes in viral variants in the population, as well as an early warning system.

scholarly journals Genetic Analysis of Hepatitis A Virus Strains That Induced Epidemics in Korea during 2007-2009

2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 1252-1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lee ◽  
H. Jeong ◽  
H. Yun ◽  
K. Kim ◽  
J.-H. Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Virus Strains

scholarly journals Evidence for positive selection of hepatitis A virus antigenic variants in vaccinated men-having-sex-with men patients: Implications for immunization policies

EBioMedicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 348-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurora Sabrià ◽  
Josep Gregori ◽  
Damir Garcia-Cehic ◽  
Susana Guix ◽  
Tomàs Pumarola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Selection ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Selection Of

scholarly journals HAV infection in Brazilian men who have sex with men: The importance of surveillance to avoid outbreaks

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0256818
Author(s):  
Lisie Souza Castro ◽  
Grazielli Rocha de Rezende ◽  
Fernanda Rodas Pires Fernandes ◽  
Larissa Melo Bandeira ◽  
Gabriela Alves Cesar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Monthly Household Income ◽  
Sex With Men

Background Hepatitis A is a fecal-oral infection caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV). Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) have been reported as target groups for HAV infection. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, risk factors, and circulating strains associated with HAV infection among MSM and TW in Central Brazil. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2011 to September 2013. Serum samples were collected from 425 individuals for anti-HAV antibody testing and HAV molecular characterization. Of them, 149 (35.1%) participants were self-identified as transgender women. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors of HAV seropositivity. Results The seroprevalence of HAV exposure was 69.7% (95% Confidence Interval: 65.3–74.0%). Serological evidence of HAV was significantly higher in participants who self-identified as transgender women (83.2%) than MSM (62.3%). Increasing age, non-white race, and lower monthly household income were independently associated with HAV exposure among MSM. Only lower monthly household income was independently associated with HAV exposure among TW. One anti-HAV IgM positive sample, from a transgender woman (0.2%), was detected and classified as subgenotype IA. Conclusions High HAV prevalence was observed, markedly among TW. Considering the risky sexual behaviors this population is exposed to, HAV vaccination and prevention programs targeting this population should be considered to prevent outbreaks and the burden of the disease.

scholarly journals Assessing countermeasures during a hepatitis A virus outbreak among men who have sex with men

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryohei Saito ◽  
Akifumi Imamura ◽  
Hiroshi Nishiura
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Situation Awareness ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Environmental Transmission ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Epidemic Risk

Abstract Background A hepatitis A epidemic occurred among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Japan in 2017–2018. In this study, we employ a parsimonious mathematical model to epidemiologically investigate the dynamics of infection, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of campaign-based interventions among MSM to raise awareness of the situation. Methods A mathematical model describing a mixture of human-to-human transmission and environmental transmission was fitted to surveillance data. Taking seasonally varying environmental transmission into account, we estimated the reproduction number of hepatitis A virus during the course of epidemic, and, especially, the abrupt decline in this reproduction number following campaign-based interventions. Results The reproduction number prior to the countermeasures ranged from 2.6 to 3.1 and then began to decrease following campaign-based interventions. After the first countermeasure, the reproduction number decreased, but the epidemic remained supercritical (i.e., Rt > 1). The value of Rt dropped well below one following the second countermeasure, which used web articles to widely disseminate information about the epidemic risk. Conclusions Although the effective reproduction number, Rt, changes because of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, the timing of the examined countermeasures against hepatitis A in the MSM population was consistent with the abrupt declines observed in Rt. Even without vaccination, the epidemic was brought under control, and risky behaviors may have been changed by the increase in situation awareness reached through web articles.

Clinical and virological features of acute hepatitis A during an ongoing outbreak among men who have sex with men in the North of France

2018 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Boucher ◽  
Agnes Meybeck ◽  
Kazali Alidjinou ◽  
Thomas Huleux ◽  
Nathalie Viget ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
The North ◽  
Acute Hepatitis A ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sex With Men

ObjectivesSince February 2017, an increase of acute hepatitis A (AHA) cases has been notified in North of France. We aimed to report clinical and virological features of 49 cases treated in three hospitals in Lille European Metropolis (LEM).MethodsAll adult patients treated for AHA in 3 LEM hospitals between 20 February and 5 July 2017 were included. Demographic characteristics, exposure risk factors to hepatitis A virus (HAV), AHA manifestations and concomitant sexually transmitted infections (STI) were retrospectively recorded.ResultsForty-nine cases of AHA were diagnosed among which 34 (69%) were hospitalised. Severe AHA occurred in 7 (14%) patients. The median age of cases was 36 years. All cases except 1 were men and 32 (65%) were identified as men having sex with men (MSM). Eleven (23%) patients were HIV-infected, 5 were under HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), 6 had a history of HIV postexposure prophylaxis and 19 had a history of at least one STI. Only three patients had received HAV vaccine. Proportion of patients tested for syphilis, chlamydial and gonococcal infections was 75% (18/24) in those seen by sexual health specialists and 21% (6/29) in those seen by other specialists. At least one concomitant STI was diagnosed in 13 out of 24 tested patients (54%). RT-PCR sequencing was available for 38 cases and confirmed co-circulation of 3 different strains of subgenotype IA (VRD 521 2016: n=24, RIVM-HAV16-090: n=13, V16-25801: n=1), already identified in several European countries.ConclusionsWe are facing an outbreak of AHA among MSM in the North of France with a high rate of hospitalisation. Analysis of cases highlighted missed opportunities of vaccination and lack of concomitant STI screening. Awareness among healthcare providers and MSM should be increased and HAV vaccination promoted.

scholarly journals Susceptibility to Hepatitis A Virus Infection in the United States, 2007–2016

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (10) ◽  
pp. e571-e579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoman Yin ◽  
Laurie Barker ◽  
Kathleen N Ly ◽  
Greta Kilmer ◽  
Monique A Foster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
National Immunization ◽  
Vaccination Recommendations ◽  
Sex With Men

Abstract Background Despite national immunization efforts, including universal childhood hepatitis A (HepA) vaccination recommendations in 2006, hepatitis A virus (HAV)–associated outbreaks have increased in the United States. Unvaccinated or previously uninfected persons are susceptible to HAV infection, yet the susceptibility in the US population is not well known. Methods Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2016 data, we estimated HAV susceptibility prevalence (total HAV antibody negative) among persons aged ≥2 years. Among US-born adults aged ≥20 years, we examined prevalence, predictors, and age-adjusted trends of HAV susceptibility by sociodemographic characteristics. We assessed HAV susceptibility and self-reported nonvaccination to HepA among risk groups and the “immunization cohort” (those born in or after 2004). Results Among US-born adults aged ≥20 years, HAV susceptibility prevalence was 74.1% (95% confidence interval, 72.9–75.3%) during 2007–2016. Predictors of HAV susceptibility were age group 30–49 years, non-Hispanic white/black, 130% above the poverty level, and no health insurance. Prevalences of HAV susceptibility and nonvaccination to HepA, respectively, were 72.9% and 73.1% among persons who reported injection drug use, 67.5% and 65.2% among men who had sex with men, 55.2% and 75.1% among persons with hepatitis B or hepatitis C, and 22.6% and 25.9% among the immunization cohort. Susceptibility and nonvaccination decreased over time among the immunization cohort but remained stable among risk groups. Conclusions During 2007–2016, approximately three-fourths of US-born adults remained HAV susceptible. Enhanced vaccination efforts are critically needed, particularly targeting adults at highest risk for HAV infection, to mitigate the current outbreaks.

scholarly journals Bayesian modelling of a hepatitis A outbreak in men who have sex with men in Sydney, Australia, 1991/1992

2019 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
X.-S. Zhang ◽  
A. Charlett
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Posterior Distributions ◽  
Bayesian Modelling ◽  
Distributed Parameters ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Sydney Australia

Abstract To control hepatitis A spread by vaccination, accurate estimation of transmissibility is vital. Regan et al. (2016) proposed a model of hepatitis A virus (HAV) transmission and used least squares to calibrate model to the 1991/1992 HAV outbreak in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Sydney, Australia. Based on the estimate of R0, they obtained the critical immunity of 70% and showed that when the proportion immune <70%, there is a definite chance for outbreaks to take place. The immunity level from previous surveys ranges from 32% to 64% after 1996 while no outbreaks in Australian MSMs have been reported since 1996. Further noticing the ill-distributed parameters, we argue that their estimate of R0 is not accurate. In this study, we revisited their model by Bayesian inference, which has privilege over least squares. We obtained the appropriate posterior distributions of parameters and the estimate of R0 ranges from 1.38 to 2.89, indicating a critical immunity of 65%. The reduction in critical immunity and outbreak probabilities predicts the absence of outbreaks in Australian MSMs since 1996. Our study shows the importance of using appropriate methods to provide reliable and accurate estimates of the model parameters especially the transmissibility.

Hepatitis a virus: Growth characteristics of in vivo and in vitro propagated wild and attenuated virus strains

1984 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel W. Bradley ◽  
Charles A. Schable ◽  
Karen A. McCaustland ◽  
E. H. Cook ◽  
Bert L. Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Growth Characteristics ◽  
Virus Growth ◽  
Attenuated Virus ◽  
Virus Strains

scholarly journals Detection of Hepatitis A Virus and Other Enteric Viruses in Shellfish Collected in the Gulf of Naples, Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (14) ◽  
pp. 2588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Fusco ◽  
Aniello Anastasio ◽  
David H. Kingsley ◽  
Maria Grazia Amoroso ◽  
Tiziana Pepe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Enteric Viruses ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Bivalve Mollusks ◽  
Campania Region ◽  
Gulf Of Naples ◽  
Shellfish Farms

To assess the quality of shellfish harvest areas, bivalve mollusk samples from three coastal areas of the Campania region in Southwest Italy were evaluated for viruses over a three-year period (2015–2017). Screening of 289 samples from shellfish farms and other locations by qPCR and RT-qPCR identified hepatitis A virus (HAV; 8.9%), norovirus GI (NoVGI; 10.8%) and GII (NoVGII; 39.7%), rotavirus (RV; 9.0%), astrovirus (AsV; 20.8%), sapovirus (SaV; 18.8%), aichivirus-1 (AiV-1; 5.6%), and adenovirus (AdV, 5.6%). Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was never detected. Sequence analysis identified HAV as genotype IA and AdV as type 41. This study demonstrates the presence of different enteric viruses within bivalve mollusks, highlighting the limitations of the current EU classification system for shellfish growing waters.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document