Influence of universal HBV vaccination on chronic HBV infection in Italy: Results of a cross-sectional multicenter study

Hepatitis B Virus-Related Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Hospital Discharge Rates from 2005 to 2021 in Spain: Impact of Universal Vaccination

Background: The main consequences of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), both associated with frequent hospitalization. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of universal HBV vaccination in Spain on chronic HBV-related hospital discharges from 2005 to 2021. Methods: Using data from the Minimum Basic Data Set of the Spanish National Health System, we calculated the hospital discharge rate ratio (HDRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) values for chronic HBV-related discharges between 2005 and 2021. For comparative purposes, we calculated the HDRR and 95% confidence interval (CI) values for the early (2005-2013) and later (2014-2021) periods and the vaccinated compared with unvaccinated cohorts for the 20-39 age group. Results: The hospital discharge rate per 1,000,000 people was 3.08 in 2005 and 4.50 in 2021 for HCC, and 4.81 in 2005 and 1.92 in 2021 for cirrhosis. Comparing the early and later periods, values were higher for HCC (HDRR 1.13; 95% CI: 1.06-1.20) and lower for cirrhosis (HDRR 0.56; 95% CI: 0.51-0.60). The rate for the 20-39 age group was lower for the vaccinated compared with the unvaccinated cohorts overall (HDRR 0.53; 95% CI: 0.45-0.62), for HCC (HDRR 0.66; 95% CI: 0.53-0.82), and for cirrhosis (HDRR 0.41; 95% CI: 0.33-0.53). Conclusions: This study describes the important impact, after 25 years, of universal HBV vaccination in Spain: cirrhosis hospital discharge rate was reduced, and the vaccinated cohorts, compared with the unvaccinated cohorts in the 20-39 age group, had a lower hospital discharge rate of both HCC and cirrhosis.

Five Decades of HBV Infection in Italy: A Continuous Challenge

In Italy, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been characterized by several changes over the last five decades. In 2019, the incidence of acute HBV among subjects targeted by the vaccination campaign was 0 cases in the age group 0-14 years and 0.1/100,000 in the age group 15-24. Nowadays, the burden of different stages of HBV-related chronic liver diseases is minimal. Intravenous drug use is no longer a risk factor (O.R. 0.7; 95% C.I. 0.5-1.02) for acquiring acute HBV; the proportion of cases reporting this exposure fell from 29.8% to 3.3% over the last two decades. The key public health intervention has been the compulsory vaccination campaign started in 1991 for infants 3 months old and 1-2 years old (the latter group for the first 12 years of the campaign). Moreover, non-immunogenic factors and the availability of effective oral antiviral drugs have played and continue to play a prominent role. The potential availability of new oral antiviral drugs with the inherent ability to eliminate the genomic HBV reservoirs may represent a further crucial step in the elimination of the virus in people that are already infected.

Highly dynamic changes of regional HBV epidemiology over two decades

BACKGROUND & AIM

HBV epidemiology is highly heterogeneous and rapidly evolving worldwide: we studied its last two-decades dynamics in a large single center cohort.

METHODS

In all consecutive HBsAg-positive subjects firstly admitted (2000-2019) at the Pisa-University-Hospital Hepatology-Referral-Center, demographic, virologic and clinical variables were analyzed by admission decade (2000-2009 vs 2010-2019) and origin (Italian vs non-Italian natives).

RESULTS

Of 2003, 1878 (93.7%) subjects were eligible: 1798(95.7%) with HBV-chronic [126(7%) HDV, 72(4%) HCV, 11(0.6%) HIV co-infected] and 80(4.3%) HBV-primary infections (93.7% Italians). Among 1589(88.4%) mono-infected, 496(31.2%) were immigrants, younger than Italians [34.0(5.1-77.1)-52.5(10.0-87.2) years], with female prevalence [204/496(41.1%)-340/1093(31.1%); p<0.001] increasing overtime (14.6-45.0%; p<0.001). Italians aged across decades [50.3(11.1-87.2)-56.2(10.0-86.7) years; p<0.001], HBeAg-positivity remained stable (12.3-14.5%) and acute hepatitis increased (4.0-8.0%; p = 0.003). CHB declined [439/721(60.9%)-320/868(36.9%); p<0.001] whereas HBeAg-negative infection increased [277/626(44.2%)-538/755(71.3%); p<0.001]. Cirrhosis declined [195/721(27.0%)-125/868(14.4%); p<0.001], except in anti-HDV-patients [93/126(73.8%); 42(45.1%) non-Italians], younger than HBV-mono-infected (47.4-57.6 years; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Effective preventive health care policies and immigration flows account for increasing prevalence of HBeAg-negative infection across the last two decades. Antiviral therapy mitigated disease progression in aging Italian CHB but not in CHD patients, mainly young immigrants, emphasizing the unmet need of effective CHD therapies; HBeAg-positive CHB and acute hepatitis B persist in non-vaccinated Italian adults, prompting vaccination in the elderly with risky behaviors.

Usefulness of a Hepatitis B Surface Antigen-Based Model for the Prediction of Functional Cure in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection Treated with Nucleos(t)ide Analogues: A Real-World Study

In patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) under long-term treatment with nucleso(t)ide analogues (NAs), the loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a rare event. A growing body of evidence supports the use of quantitative HBsAg for the prediction of functional cure, although these results are mainly derived from studies performed on Asian patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB. Here, we investigated the clinical role of quantitative HBsAg in a real-life cohort of CHB patients under treatment with NAs in a tertiary care center from North-West Italy. A total of 101 CHB patients (HBeAg-negative, n = 86) undergoing NAs treatment were retrospectively enrolled. HBsAg was measured at baseline (T0), 6 months (T1), 12 months (T2) and at the last follow-up (FU). Median FU was 5.5 (3.2–8.3) years; at the end of FU, 11 patients lost the HBsAg (annual incidence rate = 1.8%). Baseline HBsAg levels were significantly different between patients with no HBsAg loss and those achieving a functional cure (3.46, 2.91–3.97 vs. 1.11, 0.45–1.98 Log IU/mL, p < 0.001). Similarly, the HBsAg decline (Δ) from T0 to T2 was significantly different between the two groups of patients (0.05, −0.04–0.13, vs. 0.38, 0.11–0.80 Log IU/mL, p = 0.002). By stratified cross-validation analysis, the combination of baseline HBsAg and ΔHBsAg T0–T2 showed an excellent accuracy for the prediction of HBsAg loss (C statistic = 0.966). These results corroborate the usefulness of quantitative HBsAg in Caucasian CHB patients treated with antivirals for the prediction of HBsAg seroclearance.

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Italy during the twenty-first century: an updated survey in 2019

The aim of this study is to provide updates on the characteristics of chronic HBsAg carriers in Italy before the advent of new drugs eliminating or functionally inactivating the genome HBV reservoirs. HBV endemicity has greatly decreased in Italy over the past decades. A not negligible number of chronic HBsAg carriers are still alive in the country. Chronic HBsAg carriers consecutively referring to 9 units in Italy were prospectively enrolled for a 6-month period in 2019. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of treatment. A total of 894 cases was recruited (sex ratio 1.6; mean age 53.7 ± 13.5 years). The proportion of subjects born abroad was 19.0%; only 1% of cases reported current heavy alcohol intake (> 4 units/day). Chronic HBV infection, chronic HBV hepatitis, and subjects with liver cirrhosis and/or HCC represented 24.8%, 55%, and 19.3% of cases, respectively. After exclusion of the 222 subjects with chronic HBV infection, the proportion of subjects under therapy was as high as 89.3%. A more severe liver disease (OR 2.52; 95% CI = 1.25-5.14) resulted an independent predictor of the likelihood of treatment; male sex was marginally associated (OR 1.67; 95% CI = 1.02-2.76) to the chance of treatment. People born abroad had same chance than Italians native to be treated (OR 2.12; 95% CI = 0.9-4.97). The high proportion of subjects under treatment and the absence of gender and ethnic barrier against treatment sound good news. These updated figures may represent reference data for evaluating the potential impact of forthcoming new therapy against HBV-related disease.

Towards the worldwide eradication of hepatitis B virus infection: A combination of prophylactic and therapeutic factors

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still a global health problem, mostly because of the intermediate/high rates of HBV chronic carriers living in most Asian, African and eastern European countries. The universal HBV vaccination of new-borns undertaken in most nations over the last 3 decades and effective HBV antiviral treatments (nucleos(t)ide analogue with high genetic barrier to viral resistance) introduced in the last decade have shown their beneficial effects in inducing a clear reduction of HBV endemicity in the countries where they have been extensively applied. Great hopes are now placed on new antiviral and immunotherapeutic drugs that are now at an advanced stage of study. It is in fact already conceivable that the synergistic use of new drugs targeting more than one HBV-lifecycle steps (covalent closed circular DNA destruction/silencing, HBV entry inhibitors, nucleocapsid assembly modulators targeting viral transcripts) and of some new immunotherapeutic agents might eliminate the intrahepatic covalent closed circular DNA and achieve the eradication of HBV infection. In spite of this, a strong effort should be given to extensive educational and screening programs for the at-risk population and to the implementation of HBV vaccination in developing countries.

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection in patients with hemo-lymphoproliferative diseases, and its prevention

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication is characterized by increased HBV-DNA serum values of about 1 log or by HBV DNA turning positive if previously undetectable in serum, possibly associated with liver damage and seldom life-threatening. Due to HBV reactivation, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative/anti-HBc-positive subjects may revert to HBsAg-positive. In patients with hemo-lymphoproliferative disease, the frequency of HBV reactivation depends on the type of lymphoproliferative disorder, the individual's HBV serological status and the potency and duration of immunosuppression. In particular, it occurs in 10%-50% of the HBsAg-positive and in 2%-25% of the HBsAg- negative/anti-HBc-positive, the highest incidences being registered in patients receiving rituximab-based therapy. HBV reactivation can be prevented by accurate screening of patients at risk and by a pharmacological prophylaxis with anti-HBV nucleo(t)sides starting 2-3 wk before the beginning of immunosuppressive treatment and covering the entire period of administration of immunosuppressive drugs and a long subsequent period, the duration of which depends substantially on the degree of immunodepression achieved. Patients with significant HBV replication before immunosuppressive therapy should receive anti-HBV nucleo(t)sides as a long-term (may be life-long) treatment. This review article is mainly directed to doctors engaged every day in the treatment of patients with onco-lymphoproliferative diseases, so that they can broaden their knowledge on HBV infection and on its reactivation induced by the drugs with high immunosuppressive potential that they use in the care of their patients.

The present profile of chronic hepatitis B virus infection highlights future challenges: An analysis of the Multicenter Italian MASTER-B cohort

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a primary cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.

AIM

The study is aimed at updating the clinical and epidemiological profile of chronic HBV infection in Italy.

METHODS

A cross-sectional multicenter prospective study enrolled consecutive HBsAg positive patients seen in 73 Italian centers in the period 2012-2015. Individual patient data were collected using an electronic platform and analyzed using standard statistical methods.

RESULTS

Among 2877 HBsAg positive individuals (median age 49.8 years, 68% males), 27% were non-Italian natives (NINs); 20% had chronic infection, 58.5% chronic hepatitis and 21.5% cirrhosis. Among NINs, age was younger, male gender was less prevalent and liver disease less advanced than in Italians (all p < 0.0001). HBeAg positive cases were 23.6% among NINs vs 8.2% in Italians (p < 0.0001); HDV coinfections 11.1% vs 7.3% (p = 0.006) and HCV coinfections 2.3% vs 4.2% (p = 0.017), respectively. Anti-HDV or anti-HCV antibodies were detected more frequently in patients with cirrhosis. Fifty percent of NINs with cirrhosis were aged below 45 years.

CONCLUSION

The study offers an insight into the evolving burden of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in the near future and highlights new territories for public health interventions.

Characteristics and Changes over Time of Alcohol-Related Chronic Liver Diseases in Italy

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the characteristics of alcohol-related chronic liver disease (CLD) in Italy and their potential changes over time.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Subjects with CLD were enrolled in two national surveys performed in 2001 and in 2014 in Italy. The two surveys prospectively recruited patients aged ≥ 18 years referring to more than 80 Italian liver units scattered all over the country using similar clinical approach, analytical methods, and threshold of risky alcohol intake definition (≥ 3 units/day in men and ≥ 2 units/day in women).

RESULTS

Out of 12,256 enrolled subjects, 2,717 (22.2%) reported a risky alcohol intake. Of them, anti-HCV positive was observed in 48.3% of subjects. The overall sex ratio (M/F) was 3.1, decreasing from 3.8 in 2001 to 1.3 in 2014. Women were significantly older than men (58.9 versus 53.1 years; p < 0.01) and an increasing ageing over time was observed in both sexes. The proportion of subjects with liver cirrhosis increased over time in both sexes, and decompensated stage (Child B or C) was detected in 55.9% of cases in 2001 and 46.0% in 2014.

CONCLUSIONS

Risky alcohol intake plays a role in more than one-fifth of CLD in Italy, with a shift over time towards an older age and a more severe liver disease stage. These data put alcohol back in the spotlight with an important role in CLD in the years to come in Italy.

HBV molecular epidemiology and clinical condition of immigrants living in Italy

INTRODUCTION

We investigated 170 HBsAg-positive immigrants living in Italy for 1-7 years to ascertain whether they may have become infected in the host country.

METHODS

Of 2032 adult immigrants interviewed, 1727 (85%) voluntarily adhered to a screening program for bloodborne or sexually transmitted infections. HBsAg was detected in 170 (9.8%) screened immigrants who completed the diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic process at the nearest clinic of infectious diseases. HBV molecular biology was performed applying a homemade technology. Phylogenetic signal of the datasets was obtained by a likelihood-mapping analysis using TreePuzzle.

RESULTS

Of the 170 HBsAg-positive immigrants, 133 were inactive carriers, 29 had chronic hepatitis and 8 compensated cirrhosis. HBV genotype was identified in 109 of the 113 HBV-DNA-positive immigrants and HBV-genotype-E predominated (68.9%). Of these 109, 6 (5.5%) subjects showed an HBV genotype absent or extremely rare in their native country: HBV-genotype-E in three from Eastern Europe and in one from Sri Lanka, possibly acquired from other immigrants from sub-Saharan countries, HBV-genotype-D1 in one from Burkina Faso and one from Senegal, possibly acquired in Italy.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that immigrants may acquire HBV infection in Italy and, therefore, HBV vaccination programs should be extended to all immigrants living in Italy.

What is changed in HBV molecular epidemiology in Italy?

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection represents the most common cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide. Consequently, to the introduction of the universal HBV vaccination program, the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen was markedly reduced and less than 1% of the population of Western Europe and North America is chronically infected. To date, despite great advances in therapeutics, HBV chronic infection is considered an incurable disease. Ten hepatitis B virus genotypes (A-J) and several subgenotypes have been identified so far, based on intergroup divergences of 8% and 4%, respectively, in the complete viral genome. HBV-D genotype has been found throughout the world, with highest prevalence in the Mediterranean area. In the present review, several articles concerning HBV epidemiology, and phylogeny in Italy have been analyzed, mainly focusing on the changes occurred in the last decade.