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Wang J, Zhu L, Zhang S, Zhang Z, Fan T, Cao F, Xiong Y, Pan Y, Li Y, Jiang C, Yin S, Tong X, Xiong Y, Xia J, Yan X, Liu Y, Liu X, Chen Y, Li J, Zhu C, Wu C, Huang R. Clinical outcomes of treatment-naïve HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection with low serum HBsAg and undetectable HBV DNA. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2339944. [PMID: 38584592 PMCID: PMC11022914 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2339944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level < 100 IU/ml and undetectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA have been recently proposed as an alternate endpoint of "partial cure" in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We investigated clinical outcomes of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative CHB patients with HBsAg <100 IU/ml and undetectable HBV DNA. Treatment-naïve HBeAg-negative CHB patients with undetectable HBV DNA and normal alanine aminotransferase were retrospectively included from three institutions. Patients were classified into the low HBsAg group (<100 IU/ml) and the high HBsAg group (≥100 IU/ml). Liver fibrosis was evaluated by noninvasive tests (NITs). A total of 1218 patients were included and the median age was 41.5 years. Patients with low HBsAg were older (45.0 vs. 40.0 years, P < 0.001) than those in the high HBsAg group, while the NIT parameters were comparable between groups. During a median follow-up of 25.7 months, patients with low HBsAg achieved a higher HBsAg clearance rate (13.0% vs. 0%, P < 0.001) and a lower rate of significant fibrosis development (2.2% vs. 7.0%, P = 0.049) compared to patients with high HBsAg. No patient developed HCC in either group. HBsAg level was negatively associated with HBsAg clearance (HR 0.213, P < 0.001) and patients with HBsAg < 100 IU/ml had a low risk of significant fibrosis development (HR 0.010, P = 0.002). The optimal cutoff value of HBsAg for predicting HBsAg clearance was 1.1 Log10 IU/ml. Treatment-naïve HBeAg-negative CHB patients with HBsAg <100 IU/ml and undetectable HBV DNA had favourable outcomes with a high rate of HBsAg clearance and a low risk of fibrosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shaoqiu Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiyi Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Fan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fei Cao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ye Xiong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yifan Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shengxia Yin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Tong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yali Xiong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juan Xia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Yan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingxiang Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Huai’an No. 4 People’s Hospital, Huai’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chuanwu Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Viruses and Infectious Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Jiangsu University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
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Liu Y, Maya S, Carver S, O’Connell AK, Tseng AE, Gertje HP, Seneca K, Nahass RG, Crossland NA, Ploss A. Development of a dual channel detection system for pan-genotypic simultaneous quantification of hepatitis B and delta viruses. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2350167. [PMID: 38687692 PMCID: PMC11095294 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2350167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major public health problem and, in associated co-infection with hepatitis delta virus (HDV), causes the most severe viral hepatitis and accelerated liver disease progression. As a defective satellite RNA virus, HDV can only propagate in the presence of HBV infection, which makes HBV DNA and HDV RNA the standard biomarkers for monitoring the virological response upon antiviral therapy, in co-infected patients. Although assays have been described to quantify these viral nucleic acids in circulation independently, a method for monitoring both viruses simultaneously is not available, thus hampering characterization of their complex dynamic interactions. Here, we describe the development of a dual fluorescence channel detection system for pan-genotypic, simultaneous quantification of HBV DNA and HDV RNA through a one-step quantitative PCR. The sensitivity for both HBV and HDV is about 10 copies per microliter without significant interference between these two detection targets. This assay provides reliable detection for HBV and HDV basic research in vitro and in human liver chimeric mice. Preclinical validation of this system on serum samples from patients on or off antiviral therapy also illustrates a promising application that is rapid and cost-effective in monitoring HBV and HDV viral loads simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhen Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Stephanie Maya
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Sebastian Carver
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Aoife K. O’Connell
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna E. Tseng
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hans P. Gertje
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Nicholas A. Crossland
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Virology, Immunology, & Microbiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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Tu T, Wettengel J, Xia Y, Testoni B, Littlejohn M, Le Bert N, Ebert G, Verrier ER, Tavis JE, Cohen C. Major open questions in the hepatitis B and D field - Proceedings of the inaugural International emerging hepatitis B and hepatitis D researchers workshop. Virology 2024; 595:110089. [PMID: 38640789 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
The early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) of scientific communities represent the forefront of research and the future direction in which a field takes. The opinions of this key demographic are not commonly aggregated to audit fields and precisely demonstrate where challenges lie for the future. To address this, we initiated the inaugural International Emerging Researchers Workshop for the global Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D scientific community (75 individuals). The cohort was split into small discussion groups and the significant problems, challenges, and future directions were assessed. Here, we summarise the outcome of these discussions and outline the future directions suggested by the EMCR community. We show an effective approach to gauging and accumulating the ideas of EMCRs and provide a succinct summary of the significant gaps remaining in the Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Tu
- Storr Liver Centre, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, The University of Sydney at Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
| | - Jochen Wettengel
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA; Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich /Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Munich Partner Site, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Wuhan, China; Pingyuan Laboratory, Henan, China
| | - Barbara Testoni
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR-5286, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France; University of Lyon, Université Claude-Bernard, Lyon, France; Hepatology Institute of Lyon, France
| | - Margaret Littlejohn
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Royal Melbourne Hospital and Department of Infectious Disease, University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nina Le Bert
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Gregor Ebert
- Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich /Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eloi R Verrier
- University of Strasbourg, Inserm, Institute for Translational Medicine and Liver Disease, UMR_S1110, Strasbourg, France
| | - John E Tavis
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine and the Saint Louis University Institute for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation, Saint Louis, MO, USA
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Koenig AB, Tan A, Abdelaal H, Monge F, Younossi ZM, Goodman ZD. Review article: Hepatic steatosis and its associations with acute and chronic liver diseases. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2024; 60:167-200. [PMID: 38845486 DOI: 10.1111/apt.18059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic steatosis is a common finding in liver histopathology and the hallmark of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), whose global prevalence is rising. AIMS To review the histopathology of hepatic steatosis and its mechanisms of development and to identify common and rare disease associations. METHODS We reviewed literature on the basic science of lipid droplet (LD) biology and clinical research on acute and chronic liver diseases associated with hepatic steatosis using the PubMed database. RESULTS A variety of genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of chronic hepatic steatosis or steatotic liver disease, which typically appears macrovesicular. Microvesicular steatosis is associated with acute mitochondrial dysfunction and liver failure. Fat metabolic processes in hepatocytes whose dysregulation leads to the development of steatosis include secretion of lipoprotein particles, uptake of remnant lipoprotein particles or free fatty acids from blood, de novo lipogenesis, oxidation of fatty acids, lipolysis and lipophagy. Hepatic insulin resistance is a key feature of MASLD. Seipin is a polyfunctional protein that facilitates LD biogenesis. Assembly of hepatitis C virus takes place on LD surfaces. LDs make important, functional contact with the endoplasmic reticulum and other organelles. CONCLUSIONS Diverse liver pathologies are associated with hepatic steatosis, with MASLD being the most important contributor. The biogenesis and dynamics of LDs in hepatocytes are complex and warrant further investigation. Organellar interfaces permit co-regulation of lipid metabolism to match generation of potentially toxic lipid species with their LD depot storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron B Koenig
- Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Albert Tan
- Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
- Center for Liver Diseases, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Hala Abdelaal
- Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
- Center for Liver Diseases, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Fanny Monge
- Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
- Center for Liver Diseases, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
| | - Zobair M Younossi
- Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
- The Global NASH Council, Center for Outcomes Research in Liver Diseases, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Zachary D Goodman
- Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
- Center for Liver Diseases, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
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5
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Schinas G, Antonopoulou N, Vamvakopoulou S, Tsachouridou O, Protopapas K, Petrakis V, Petrakis EC, Papageorgiou D, Metallidis S, Papadopoulos A, Barbounakis E, Kofteridis D, Panagopoulos P, Lekkou A, Paliogianni F, Akinosoglou K. Prevalence of Hepatitis D in People Living with HIV: A National Cross-Sectional Pilot Study. Viruses 2024; 16:1044. [PMID: 39066206 DOI: 10.3390/v16071044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study assesses the prevalence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Greece. Given the compounding effects of HDV and hepatitis B (HBV) on liver disease progression, as well as the emergence of new therapeutic options such as bulevirtide, understanding regional disparities and the epidemiological impact of such co-infections is vital. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted utilizing 696 serum samples from PLWHIV attending five major university hospitals. The methodology included HDV antibody detection by ELISA and HDV RNA confirmation. Of the 30 HBsAg-positive samples analyzed, the study population was primarily male (93%), with a median age of 54 years. Participants had been on antiretroviral therapy for a median of 10 years, and the median CD4 count was 738 (539-1006) copies/mL. Additional serological findings revealed a 7% prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) IgG antibodies and a 55% prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgG antibodies. Seroreactivity for syphilis (RPR/VDRL/TPHA positive) was identified in 33% of the participants. The results indicated a low HDV prevalence, with only one individual (3%) testing positive for anti-HDV IgG antibodies and none for HDV RNA. This indicates a lower prevalence of HDV among PLWHIV with chronic HBV in Greece compared to global data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sofia Vamvakopoulou
- Department of Microbiology, University General Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Olga Tsachouridou
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki "AHEPA", 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Protopapas
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Petrakis
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Emmanouil C Petrakis
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Simeon Metallidis
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki "AHEPA", 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antonios Papadopoulos
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Barbounakis
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Diamantis Kofteridis
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Periklis Panagopoulos
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Alexandra Lekkou
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Fotini Paliogianni
- Department of Microbiology, University General Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Karolina Akinosoglou
- School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University General Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
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Rodríguez-Tajes S, Palom A, Giráldez-Gallego Á, Moreno A, Urquijo JJ, Rodríguez M, Alvarez-Argüelles M, Diago M, García-Eliz M, Fuentes J, Martínez-Sapiña AM, Castillo P, Casado M, Pérez-Campos E, Muñoz R, Hernández-Conde M, Morillas RM, Granados R, Miquel M, Morillas MJ, García-Retortillo M, Carrión JA, Moreno JM, Montón C, González-Santiago JM, Lorente S, Cabezas J, Mateos B, Vázquez-Rodríguez S, Díaz-Fontenla F, Pinazo JM, Delgado M, Pérez-Palacios D, Horta D, Fernández-Marcos C, López C, Calleja JL, Fernández I, García-Samaniego J, Forns X, Buti M, Lens S. Characterizing Hepatitis Delta in Spain and the gaps in its management. GASTROENTEROLOGIA Y HEPATOLOGIA 2024:502222. [PMID: 38908682 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2024.502222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Chronic hepatitis D (CHD) is a severe form of chronic viral hepatitis. The estimated hepatitis delta prevalence in Spain is around 5% of patients with hepatitis B. Reimbursement of new antiviral therapies (Bulevirtide, BLV) was delayed in our country until February 2024. We aimed to characterize the clinical profile of patients with HDV/HBV infection in Spain and current barriers in their management at the time of BLV approval. METHOD Multicenter registry including patients with positive anti-HDV serology actively monitored in 30 Spanish centers. Epidemiological, clinical and virological variables were recorded at the start of follow-up and at the last visit. RESULTS We identified 329 anti-HDV patients, 41% were female with median age 51 years. The most common geographical origin was Spain (53%) and East Europe (24%). Patients from Spain were older and had HCV and HIV coinfection probably associated to past drug injection (p<0.01). HDV-RNA was positive in 138 of 221 assessed (62%). Liver cirrhosis was present at diagnosis in 33% and it was more frequent among viremic patients (58% vs 25%, p<0.01). After a median follow-up of 6 (3-12) years, 44 (16%) resolved infection (18 spontaneously and 26 after Peg-INF). An additional 10% of patients developed cirrhosis (n=137) during follow-up (45% had portal hypertension and 14% liver decompensation). Liver disease progression was associated to persisting viremia. CONCLUSION One-third of the patients with CHD already have cirrhosis at diagnosis. Persistence of positive viremia is associated to rapid liver disease progression. Importantly, barriers to locally determine/quantify HDV-RNA were present.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adriana Palom
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marta Casado
- Hospital Universitario Torrecárdenas, Almería, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sara Lorente
- Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Joaquín Cabezas
- Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Mercè Delgado
- Hospital de Mataró Consorci Sanitari del Maresme, Mataró, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xavier Forns
- Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Buti
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sabela Lens
- Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain.
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7
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Wranke A, Lobato C, Ceausu E, Dalekos GN, Rizzetto M, Turcanu A, Niro GA, Keskin O, Gherlan G, Abbas M, Ingiliz P, Muche M, Buti M, Jachs M, Vanwolleghem T, Cornberg M, Abbas Z, Yurdaydin C, Dörge P, Wedemeyer H. Long-term outcome of hepatitis delta in different regions world-wide: Results of the Hepatitis Delta International Network. Liver Int 2024. [PMID: 38888267 DOI: 10.1111/liv.16006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Chronic hepatitis delta represents a major global health burden. Clinical features of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection vary largely between different regions worldwide. Treatment approaches are dependent on the approval status of distinct drugs and financial resources. METHODS The Hepatitis Delta International Network (HDIN) registry involves researchers from all continents (Wranke, Liver International 2018). We here report long-term follow-up data of 648 hepatitis D patients recruited by 14 centres in 11 countries. Liver-related clinical endpoints were defined as hepatic decompensation (ascites, encephalopathy and variceal bleeding), liver transplantation, hepatocellular carcinoma or liver-related death. RESULTS Patient data were available from all continents but Africa: 22% from Eastern Mediterranean, 32% from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, 13% from Central and Southern Europe, 14% from South Asia (mainly Pakistan) and 19% from South America (mainly Brazil). The mean follow-up was 6.4 (.6-28) years. During follow-up, 195 patients (32%) developed a liver-related clinical event after 3.5 (±3.3) years. Liver cirrhosis at baseline and a detectable HDV RNA test during follow-up were associated with a worse clinical outcome in multivariate regression analysis while patients receiving interferon alfa-based therapies developed clinical endpoints less frequently. Patients from South Asia developed endpoints earlier and had the highest mortality. CONCLUSIONS The HDIN registry confirms the severity of hepatitis D and provides further evidence for HDV viraemia as a main risk factor for disease progression. Hepatitis D seems to take a particularly severe course in patients born in Pakistan. There is an urgent need to extend access to antiviral therapies and to provide appropriate education about HDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Wranke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Cirley Lobato
- Centro de Ciências de Saúde e do Desporto, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, Brazil
| | - Emanoil Ceausu
- Infectious Diseases, Dr. Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
| | - George N Dalekos
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Mario Rizzetto
- Department of Internal Medicine-Gastroenterology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Adela Turcanu
- Department of Gastroenterology, State University of Medicine "Nicolae Testemitanu", Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | - Grazia A Niro
- Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Onur Keskin
- Medical Faculty, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - George Gherlan
- Infectious Diseases, Dr. Victor Babes Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Minaam Abbas
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology and Liver Transplantation, Ziauddin University Hospital Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Marion Muche
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology (including Clinical Nutrition), Charité, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Valle d'Hebron University Hospital and Ciberhed del Instituto CarlosIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Viral Hepatitis Research group, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- European Reference Network RARE-LIVER
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE: EU-Funded Network on Individualized Management of Hepatitis D
- Centre for Individualized Infection Medicine (CiiM), c/o CRC, Hannover, Germany
| | - Zaigham Abbas
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology and Liver Transplantation, Ziauddin University Hospital Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Cihan Yurdaydin
- Medical Faculty, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Koc University Medical School, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Petra Dörge
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), HepNet Study-House/German Liver Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- D-SOLVE: EU-Funded Network on Individualized Management of Hepatitis D
- Centre for Individualized Infection Medicine (CiiM), c/o CRC, Hannover, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Excellence Cluster RESIST, Hannover, Germany
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8
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Maio N, Heffner AL, Rouault TA. Iron‑sulfur clusters in viral proteins: Exploring their elusive nature, roles and new avenues for targeting infections. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119723. [PMID: 38599324 PMCID: PMC11139609 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Viruses have evolved complex mechanisms to exploit host factors for replication and assembly. In response, host cells have developed strategies to block viruses, engaging in a continuous co-evolutionary battle. This dynamic interaction often revolves around the competition for essential resources necessary for both host cell and virus replication. Notably, iron, required for the biosynthesis of several cofactors, including iron‑sulfur (FeS) clusters, represents a critical element in the ongoing competition for resources between infectious agents and host. Although several recent studies have identified FeS cofactors at the core of virus replication machineries, our understanding of their specific roles and the cellular processes responsible for their incorporation into viral proteins remains limited. This review aims to consolidate our current knowledge of viral components that have been characterized as FeS proteins and elucidate how viruses harness these versatile cofactors to their benefit. Its objective is also to propose that viruses may depend on incorporation of FeS cofactors more extensively than is currently known. This has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of viral replication, thereby carrying significant implications for the development of strategies to target infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunziata Maio
- Molecular Medicine Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Audrey L Heffner
- Molecular Medicine Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Tracey A Rouault
- Molecular Medicine Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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9
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Khabir M, Blanchet M, Angelo L, Loucif H, van Grevenynghe J, Bukong TN, Labonté P. Exosomes as Conduits: Facilitating Hepatitis B Virus-Independent Hepatitis D Virus Transmission and Propagation in Hepatocytes. Viruses 2024; 16:825. [PMID: 38932118 PMCID: PMC11209184 DOI: 10.3390/v16060825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A number of research studies, including ours, have spotlighted exosomes as critical facilitators of viral dissemination. While hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission through exosomes has been studied, the focus on its satellite virus, the hepatitis delta virus (HDV), has been unexplored in this context. HDV, although being a defective virus, can replicate its genome autonomously within hepatocytes, independently of HBV. Investigations on Huh7 cells revealed an intriguing phenomenon: the HDV proteins, S-HDAg and L-HDAg, are transmitted between cells without a complete viral structure. Detailed analysis further revealed that the expression of these proteins not only bolstered exosome secretion but also ensured their enrichment within these vesicles. Our experimental approach utilized transfection of various plasmids to examine the role of HDV RNA and proteins in the process. One salient finding was the differential propagation of the HDV proteins S-HDAg and L-HDAg, suggesting intricate molecular mechanisms behind their transmission. Notably, the purity of our exosome preparations was monitored using markers such as TSG101 and CD81. Importantly, these exosomes were found to carry both HDV RNA and proteins, highlighting their role in HDV dissemination. This novel study underscores the role of exosomes in mediating the transmission of HDV components between hepatocytes independent of HBV. These revelations about the exosomal pathway of HDV transmission provide a foundation for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies against HDV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Patrick Labonté
- INRS–Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC H7V 1B7, Canada; (M.K.); (M.B.); (L.A.); (H.L.); (J.v.G.); (T.N.B.)
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10
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Gieseler RK, Baars T, Özçürümez MK, Canbay A. Liver Diseases: Science, Fiction and the Foreseeable Future. J Pers Med 2024; 14:492. [PMID: 38793074 PMCID: PMC11122384 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14050492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This Editorial precedes the Special Issue entitled "Novel Challenges and Therapeutic Options for Liver Diseases". Following a historical outline of the roots of hepatology, we provide a brief insight into our colleagues' contributions in this issue on the current developments in this discipline related to the prevention of liver diseases, the metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, respectively), liver cirrhosis, chronic viral hepatitides, acute-on-chronic liver failure, liver transplantation, the liver-microbiome axis and microbiome transplantation, and telemedicine. We further add some topics not covered by the contributions herein that will likely impact future hepatology. Clinically, these comprise the predictive potential of organokine crosstalk and treatment options for liver fibrosis. With regard to promising developments in basic research, some current findings on the genetic basis of metabolism-associated chronic liver diseases, chronobiology, metabolic zonation of the liver, aspects of the aging liver against the background of demography, and liver regeneration will be presented. We expect machine learning to thrive as an overarching topic throughout hepatology. The largest study to date on the early detection of liver damage-which has been kicked off on 1 March 2024-is highlighted, too.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert K. Gieseler
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, 44892 Bochum, Germany; (T.B.); (M.K.Ö.)
| | | | | | - Ali Canbay
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr University Bochum, 44892 Bochum, Germany; (T.B.); (M.K.Ö.)
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11
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Shenoy A, Fontana RJ. HDV screening in chronic HBV: An unmet need of growing importance. Hepatology 2024; 79:979-982. [PMID: 38088906 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Shenoy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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12
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Lombardo D, Franzè MS, Caminiti G, Pollicino T. Hepatitis Delta Virus and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Pathogens 2024; 13:362. [PMID: 38787214 PMCID: PMC11124437 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a compact, enveloped, circular RNA virus that relies on hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope proteins to initiate a primary infection in hepatocytes, assemble, and secrete new virions. Globally, HDV infection affects an estimated 12 million to 72 million people, carrying a significantly elevated risk of developing cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to an HBV mono-infection. Furthermore, HDV-associated HCC often manifests at a younger age and exhibits more aggressive characteristics. The intricate mechanisms driving the synergistic carcinogenicity of the HDV and HBV are not fully elucidated but are believed to involve chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and the direct oncogenic effects of the HDV. Indeed, recent data highlight that the molecular profile of HCC associated with HDV is unique and distinct from that of HBV-induced HCC. However, the question of whether the HDV is an oncogenic virus remains unanswered. In this review, we comprehensively examined several crucial aspects of the HDV, encompassing its epidemiology, molecular biology, immunology, and the associated risks of liver disease progression and HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Teresa Pollicino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy; (D.L.); (M.S.F.); (G.C.)
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13
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Soriano V, Moreno-Torres V, Treviño A, de Jesús F, Corral O, de Mendoza C. Prospects for Controlling Hepatitis B Globally. Pathogens 2024; 13:291. [PMID: 38668246 PMCID: PMC11054959 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly prevalent globally. Over 250 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B, and more than 800,000 patients die each year due to hepatitis B complications, including liver cancer. Although protective HBV vaccines are recommended for all newborns, global coverage is suboptimal. In adults, sexual transmission is by far the most frequent route of contagion. The WHO estimates that 1.5 million new HBV infections occur annually. Oral nucleos(t)ide analogues entecavir and tenofovir are the most frequent antivirals prescribed as HBV therapy. Almost all patients adherent to the medication achieve undetectable plasma viremia beyond 6 months of monotherapy. However, less than 5% achieve anti-HBs seroconversion, and viral rebound occurs following drug discontinuation. Therefore, nucleos(t)ide analogues need to be lifelong. New long-acting formulations of tenofovir and entecavir are being developed that will maximize treatment benefit and overcome adherence barriers. Furthermore, new antiviral agents are in development, including entry inhibitors, capside assembly modulators, and RNA interference molecules. The use of combination therapy pursues a functional HBV cure, meaning it is negative for both circulating HBV-DNA and HBsAg. Even when this goal is achieved, the cccDNA reservoir within infected hepatocytes remains a signal of past infection, and HBV can reactivate under immune suppression. Therefore, new gene therapies, including gene editing, are eagerly being pursued to silence or definitively disrupt HBV genomes within infected hepatocytes and, in this way, ultimately cure hepatitis B. At this time, three actions can be taken to push HBV eradication globally: (1) expand universal newborn HBV vaccination; (2) perform once-in-life testing of all adults to identify susceptible HBV persons that could be vaccinated (or re-vaccinated) and unveil asymptomatic carriers that could benefit from treatment; and (3) provide earlier antiviral therapy to chronic HBV carriers, as being aviremic reduces the risk of both clinical progression and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Soriano
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Moreno-Torres
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Treviño
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Octavio Corral
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, Spain
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14
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Abbas Z, Abbas M. Is there a need for universal double reflex testing of HBsAg-positive individuals for hepatitis D infection? World J Hepatol 2024; 16:300-303. [PMID: 38577532 PMCID: PMC10989316 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i3.300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) can infect HBsAg-positive individuals, causing rapid fibrosis progression, early decompensation, increased hepatocellular carcinoma risk, and higher mortality than hepatitis B virus (HBV) mono-infection. Most countries lack high-quality HDV prevalence data, and the collection techniques employed often bias published data. In recent meta-analyses, HDV prevalence in HBsAg-positive patients reaches 5%-15% and is even significantly higher in endemic areas. Since HBV vaccination programs were implemented, HDV prevalence has decreased among younger populations. However, owing to immigrant influx, it has increased in some Western countries. The current practice of HDV screening in HBsAg-positive individuals is stepwise, based on physician's discretion, and limited to at-risk populations and may require numerous visits. Double reflex testing, which includes anti-HDV testing in all HBsAg-positive individuals and then HDV RNA testing for anti-HDV-positive ones, is uncommon. Reflex testing can identify more HDV infection cases and link identified patients to further care and follow-up. Moreover, laboratory-based double reflex screening is less biased than physician-led testing. Therefore, healthcare providers should learn about reflex testing, and federal and provincial hepatitis control programs should implement laboratory-based double reflex testing to obtain reliable HDV prevalence estimates. The test's cost-effectiveness depends on the number of HBV-positive patients screened to identify one HDV-positive patient. Such testing may be viable in areas with low HBsAg but high HDV prevalence. However, its economic impact on areas with low HDV prevalence needs further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaigham Abbas
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology and Liver Transplantation, Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi 75600, Sindh, Pakistan.
| | - Minaam Abbas
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SP, United Kingdom
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15
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Maestro S, Gomez-Echarte N, Camps G, Usai C, Olagüe C, Vales A, Aldabe R, Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza G. Deciphering the Role of Post-Translational Modifications and Cellular Location of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) Antigens in HDV-Mediated Liver Damage in Mice. Viruses 2024; 16:379. [PMID: 38543745 PMCID: PMC10975000 DOI: 10.3390/v16030379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection represents the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis. We have shown that the delivery of HDV replication-competent genomes to the hepatocytes using adeno-associated virus (AAV-HDV) as gene delivery vehicles offers a unique platform to investigate the molecular aspects of HDV and associated liver damage. For the purpose of this study, we generated HDV genomes modified by site-directed mutagenesis aimed to (i) prevent some post-translational modifications of HDV antigens (HDAgs) such as large-HDAg (L-HDAg) isoprenylation or short-HDAg (S-HDAg) phosphorylation; (ii) alter the localization of HDAgs within the subcellular compartments; and (iii) inhibit the right conformation of the delta ribozyme. First, the different HDV mutants were tested in vitro using plasmid-transfected Huh-7 cells and then in vivo in C57BL/6 mice using AAV vectors. We found that Ser177 phosphorylation and ribozymal activity are essential for HDV replication and HDAg expression. Mutations of the isoprenylation domain prevented the formation of infectious particles and increased cellular toxicity and liver damage. Furthermore, altering HDAg intracellular localization notably decreased viral replication, though liver damage remained unchanged versus normal HDAg distribution. In addition, a mutation in the nuclear export signal impaired the formation of infectious viral particles. These findings contribute valuable insights into the intricate mechanisms of HDV biology and have implications for therapeutic considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Maestro
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, University of Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (C.O.); (A.V.)
- IdiSNA—Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Nahia Gomez-Echarte
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, University of Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (C.O.); (A.V.)
- IdiSNA—Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gracian Camps
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, University of Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (C.O.); (A.V.)
- IdiSNA—Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carla Usai
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, University of Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (C.O.); (A.V.)
- IdiSNA—Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristina Olagüe
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, University of Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (C.O.); (A.V.)
| | - Africa Vales
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, University of Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (C.O.); (A.V.)
| | - Rafael Aldabe
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, University of Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (C.O.); (A.V.)
| | - Gloria Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza
- DNA & RNA Medicine Division, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, University of Navarra, Avenida Pío XII, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (S.M.); (N.G.-E.); (G.C.); (C.U.); (C.O.); (A.V.)
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16
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Steger G, Riesner D, Prusiner SB. Viroids, Satellite RNAs and Prions: Folding of Nucleic Acids and Misfolding of Proteins. Viruses 2024; 16:360. [PMID: 38543726 PMCID: PMC10975798 DOI: 10.3390/v16030360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Theodor ("Ted") Otto Diener (* 28 February 1921 in Zürich, Switzerland; † 28 March 2023 in Beltsville, MD, USA) pioneered research on viroids while working at the Plant Virology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, in Beltsville. He coined the name viroid and defined viroids' important features like the infectivity of naked single-stranded RNA without protein-coding capacity. During scientific meetings in the 1970s and 1980s, viroids were often discussed at conferences together with other "subviral pathogens". This term includes what are now called satellite RNAs and prions. Satellite RNAs depend on a helper virus and have linear or, in the case of virusoids, circular RNA genomes. Prions, proteinaceous infectious particles, are the agents of scrapie, kuru and some other diseases. Many satellite RNAs, like viroids, are non-coding and exert their function by thermodynamically or kinetically controlled folding, while prions are solely host-encoded proteins that cause disease by misfolding, aggregation and transmission of their conformations into infectious prion isoforms. In this memorial, we will recall the work of Ted Diener on subviral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Steger
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40204 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Detlev Riesner
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40204 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Stanley B. Prusiner
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA;
- Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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Viral agents (2nd section). Transfusion 2024; 64 Suppl 1:S19-S207. [PMID: 38394038 DOI: 10.1111/trf.17630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
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