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Wedemeyer H, Tergast TL, Lazarus JV, Razavi H, Bakoyannis K, Baptista-Leite R, Bartoli M, Bruggmann P, Buşoi CS, Buti M, Carballo M, Castera L, Colombo M, Coutinho RS, Dadon Y, Esmat G, Esteban R, Farran JC, Gillyon-Powell M, Goldberg D, Hutchinson S, Janssen HLA, Kalamitsis G, Kondili LA, Lambert JS, Marinho RT, Maticic M, Patricello A, Peck-Radosavljevic M, Pol S, Poljak M, Pop C, Sokol T, Sypsa V, Tözün N, Younossi Z, Aghemo A, Papatheodoridis GV, Hatzakis A. Securing wider EU commitment to the elimination of hepatitis C virus. Liver Int 2023; 43:276-291. [PMID: 36196744 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In 2016, the Hepatitis B and C Public Policy Association (HepBCPPA), gathered all the main stakeholders in the field of hepatitis C virus (HCV) to launch the now landmark HCV Elimination Manifesto, calling for the elimination of HCV in the EU by 2030. Since then, many European countries have made progress towards HCV elimination. Multiple programmes-from the municipality level to the EU level-were launched, resulting in an overall decrease in viremic HCV infections and liver-related mortality. However, as of 2021, most countries are not on track to reach the 2030 HCV elimination targets set by the WHO. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a decrease in HCV diagnoses and fewer direct-acting antiviral treatment initiations in 2020. Diagnostic and therapeutic tools to easily diagnose and treat chronic HCV infection are now well established. Treating all patients with chronic HCV infection is more cost-saving than treating and caring for patients with liver-related complications, decompensated cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. It is more important than ever to reinforce and scale-up action towards HCV elimination. Yet, efforts urgently need the dedicated commitment of policymakers at all governmental and policy levels. Therefore, the third EU Policy Summit, held in March 2021, featured EU parliamentarians and other key decision makers to promote dialogue and take strides towards securing wider EU commitment to advance and achieve HCV elimination by 2030. We have summarized the key action points and reported the 'Call-to-Action' statement supported by all the major relevant European associations in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tammo L Tergast
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Homie Razavi
- Center for Disease Analysis Foundation, Lafayette, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Ricardo Baptista-Leite
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.,Institute of Health Sciences, Católica University of Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Maria Buti
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron and CIBERHED del Instituto Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Carballo
- International Centre for Migration, Health and Development, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Castera
- Department of Hepatology, Hôpital Beaujon AP-HP-University of Paris-VII, Clichy, France
| | | | | | | | - Gamal Esmat
- Endemic Medicine and Department of HepatoGastroenterology Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rafael Esteban
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron and CIBERHED del Instituto Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Sharon Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Harry L A Janssen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - John S Lambert
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, and UCD School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rui Tato Marinho
- Serviço de Gastrenterologia e Hepatologia, Hospital Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte EPE, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mojca Maticic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Markus Peck-Radosavljevic
- Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology (IMuG) Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Nephrology with Centralized Emergency Department (ZAE), Klagenfurt, Austria
| | - Stanislas Pol
- Department of Hepatology, Université de Paris, APHP, Hopital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Mario Poljak
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Cora Pop
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Vana Sypsa
- Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Nurdan Tözün
- Department of Gastroenterology, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zobair Younossi
- Department of Medicine, Inova Health Fairfax Medical Campus, Fairfax, Virginia, USA
| | - Alessio Aghemo
- Division of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology, IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - George V Papatheodoridis
- Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angelos Hatzakis
- Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
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Sperle I, Steffen G, Leendertz SA, Sarma N, Beermann S, Thamm R, Simeonova Y, Cornberg M, Wedemeyer H, Bremer V, Zimmermann R, Dudareva S. Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C, and D in Germany: Results From a Scoping Review. Front Public Health 2020; 8:424. [PMID: 33014960 PMCID: PMC7493659 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: One of the five strategic directions in the World Health Organization global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis 2016-2021 is to generate strong strategic information for focused action to understand the viral hepatitis epidemic and focus the response. Knowledge of national prevalence is a cornerstone of strategic information. Germany is considered to be a low prevalence country for viral hepatitis B, C, and D, however the prevalence is likely to be higher among at-risk groups. Methods: The aim of this work was to give a detailed overview of the prevalence of viral hepatitis B (HBsAg, anti-HBc), C (anti-HCV, HCV RNA), and D (anti-HDV, HDV RNA) in different population groups in Germany. Therefore, we analyzed the results of a comprehensive literature search on various aspects of the epidemiological situation of hepatitis B, C, and D in Germany. Eligible publications including information on hepatitis B, C, and D prevalence were extracted from the overall spreadsheet table and summarized and analyzed based on virus and different population groups. A quality appraisal was performed using a checklist developed by Hoy et al. to assess risk of bias in prevalence studies. Results: Overall, 51 publications were identified through the literature search. The overall prevalence of HBsAg in the general (and proxy) population ranged from 0.3 to 1.6%. Among at-risk groups, including clinical populations and health care workers, the HBsAg prevalence ranged from 0.2% (among rheumatic patients) to 4.5% among HIV positive patients. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV in the general (and proxy) population ranged from 0.2 to 1.9%. Among at-risk groups, including clinical populations and health care workers, the anti-HCV prevalence ranged from 0.04% (among health care workers) to 68.0% among people who inject drugs. Conclusions: The hepatitis B and C prevalence in the general population in Germany is low. Prevalence is high to very high among at-risk populations, however for some groups evidence was incomplete or missing completely. To reach the elimination goals in Germany and implement a targeted response, more research among at-risk groups is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Sperle
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gyde Steffen
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology of the German Centre for Infection Research, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Siv Aina Leendertz
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology of the German Centre for Infection Research, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Navina Sarma
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Beermann
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology of the German Centre for Infection Research, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Centre for International Health Protection, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roma Thamm
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Translational Infrastructure Epidemiology of the German Centre for Infection Research, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yanita Simeonova
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hanover, Germany
- Thematic Translational Unit Hepatitis of the German Centre for Infection Research, Hanover, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Viviane Bremer
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ruth Zimmermann
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Dudareva
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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Mattlinger C, Thumfart JO, Heinen W, Michels H, Berres M, Vogt M, Jansky M. [Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence and dependency on country of origin of refugees in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany in 2015]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2019; 61:1472-1480. [PMID: 30225596 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-018-2816-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C, a liver disease transmitted by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), can result in liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). According to WHO estimates for 2015, approximately 71 million people worldwide are chronically infected with HCV, representing 1% of the world population. Worldwide migration movements lead to immigration from HCV high- to low-prevalence countries. There are, however, no published data available on HCV seroprevalence and its correlation with the country of origin in current unselected larger refugee populations (>1000 people) having entered Europe/Germany. OBJECTIVES Documentation and evaluation of hepatitis C seroprevalence and its correlation with the country of origin of refugees in Rhineland-Palatinate/Germany in 2015. METHODS As part of routine diagnostics during the initial medical examination, 12,880 refugees in Rhineland-Palatinate were screened for HCV antibodies in 2015. The data have been analyzed retrospectively and anonymously. RESULTS The collective comprising 12,880 refugees showed a HCV seroprevalence of 1.5%. This is higher than the HCV prevalence of the general German population (0.5%). In particular, a correlation between HCV seroprevalence and the country of origin could be demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS To reach the 2030 HCV-elimination target of the WHO, national and international recommendations to screen refugees/migrants from HCV high-prevalence countries for HCV should be emphasized. The chronically infected should be treated in accordance with HCV-guidelines. National, easily accessible information on HCV high-prevalence countries is required by attending physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Mattlinger
- Zentrum für Allgemeinmedizin und Geriatrie, Abteilung Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Am Pulverturm 13, 55131, Mainz, Deutschland.
| | | | - Wilma Heinen
- Gesundheitsamt der Kreisverwaltung Trier-Saarburg, Trier, Deutschland
| | - Harald Michels
- Gesundheitsamt der Kreisverwaltung Trier-Saarburg, Trier, Deutschland
| | - Manfred Berres
- RheinAhrCampus Remagen, Hochschule Koblenz, Remagen, Deutschland.,Institut für Medizinische Biometrie, Epidemiologie und Informatik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Mainz, Deutschland
| | - Manfred Vogt
- Abteilung Humanmedizin, Landesuntersuchungsamt Rheinland-Pfalz, Koblenz, Deutschland
| | - Michael Jansky
- Zentrum für Allgemeinmedizin und Geriatrie, Abteilung Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Am Pulverturm 13, 55131, Mainz, Deutschland
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Seroprevalence of antibodies and antigens against hepatitis A-E viruses in refugees and asylum seekers in Germany in 2015. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 29:939-945. [PMID: 28492419 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000000889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migration because of miscellaneous political crises in countries in the Middle East and Africa is a global challenge for whole Europe from an economic, social, and public health view. There is an urgent need to generate comprehensive, evidence-based data to expedite further screening and vaccination strategies. METHODS A total of 604 individuals ranging in age from 2 to 68 years who enrolled at a single reception center were tested for the prevalence of serologic markers for hepatitis virus types A, B, C, D, and E (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV), respectively. RESULTS Anti-HAV antibody prevalence was 91.2 and 70.3% in children younger than 18 years of age. The prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies was 20.1% among the individuals. 3.0% were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, whereas 15.2% tested positive for anti-hepatitis B core antigen. None of the refugees tested positive for anti-HDV. 14.1% of refugees were vaccinated against hepatitis B and had a protective anti-hepatitis B surface level of at least 10 mIU/ml. Significant differences in vaccination status were found between the regions (Eastern Mediterranean Region with 77/482 (16.0%; 95% confidence interval=12.7-19.3%) versus African Region with 1/55 (1.8%; 95% confidence interval=0-5.0%). The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 1.2% (n=7), with 0.7% HCV RNA positivity; 16.7% of hepatitis B surface antigen-positive individuals were HCV coinfected (n=3). CONCLUSION The prevalence of refugees with previous exposure to hepatitis viruses was higher than that in the general German population, but lower than in other migrant populations in Germany. The vaccination status against hepatitis B was poor.
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Jablonka A, Solbach P, Happle C, Hampel A, Schmidt RE, Behrens GMN. [Hepatitis A immunity in refugees in Germany during the current exodus]. Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2016; 112:347-351. [PMID: 27457821 DOI: 10.1007/s00063-016-0203-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Germany is facing a huge humanitarian challenge with rapidly rising numbers of refugees entering the country. Data on hepatitis A seroprevalence and infection in refugees and asylum seekers in Europe during the current refugee exodus is scarce. OBJECTIVES To assess hepatitis A (HAV) seroprevalence and immunity in refugees arriving in northern Germany in 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study of 235 refugees seeking shelter in reception centers in Northern Germany in August 2015 was performed, as acute Hepatitis A had been detected in one refugee in this camp. In order to analyze acute HAV infection and overall immunity, serological screening for HAV antibodies (combined IgG and IgM) was performed. The immunity threshold was defined as <20 IU/l. In all positive screening results, separate IgM testing was performed to detect acute infections. RESULTS Males accounted for 84.3 % of HAV screened refugees and the mean age of refugees was 29.1 ± 11.2 years. Children and adolescents below the age of 18 years made up 8.8 % of the migrants. Overall HAV immunity within the cohort was 90 %, and a mild age-dependent increase in HAV immunity was observed, with 81.1 % immunity in children <18 years and a 100 % seropositivity in subjects >50 years. One 20-year-old female refugee had positive IgM results with high HAV antibodies, most likely due to subacute HAV infection. CONCLUSIONS This comparably high rate of HAV protected refugees in our cohort supports the notion that the probability of large HAV outbreaks in current German refugee centers is low. However, depending on their current living situation, HAV vaccination should be considered for each refugee child, and healthcare providers and personnel working in refugee centers should be vaccinated against HAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jablonka
- Klinik für Immunologie und Rheumatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland.
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover-Braunschweig, Deutschland.
| | - P Solbach
- Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover-Braunschweig, Deutschland
| | - C Happle
- Klinik für Pädiatrische Pneumologie, Allergologie und Neonatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
- Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung (DZL), Standort Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
| | - A Hampel
- Klinik für Anästhesie, Notfallmedizin, Operative Intensivmedizin und Schmerztherapie, Klinikum Wolfsburg, Wolfsburg, Deutschland
| | - R E Schmidt
- Klinik für Immunologie und Rheumatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover-Braunschweig, Deutschland
| | - G M N Behrens
- Klinik für Immunologie und Rheumatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland
- Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Hannover-Braunschweig, Hannover-Braunschweig, Deutschland
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