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Musto F, Stracuzzi M, Crivellaro E, Rubinacci V, Cibarelli A, Porro C, Ghidoni E, Zuccotti GV, Giacomet V. Natural History and Management of Hepatitis C in Children: 25 Years Experience of a Reference Center in Northern Italy. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2024:00006454-990000000-00863. [PMID: 38753999 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000004374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection natural history and management in the pediatric population are still debated. We retrospectively evaluated the outcome of a HCV pediatric population managed at the Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit of Luigi Sacco Hospital (Milan, Italy) from January 1997 to January 2022 (median follow-up 10 years) and we focused on the role of new drugs and transient elastography. Fifty-seven patients were enrolled: 8 (14%) had a spontaneous clearance, 33 were treated (58%), 7 (12%) were not treated because they were under 12 years old and 9 were lost at follow-up. HCV RNA was undetectable in all treated patients at the end of therapy, after 12 weeks (SVR12) and for the rest of their follow-up. All patients treated underwent elastography before and 1 year after therapy. Median stiffness pretherapy was 5.6 kPa, and 9 patients (16%) had abnormal transient elastography (>7 kPa, median 8.7 kPa). Median stiffness after treatment in the abnormal group was 6.8 kPa. Direct-acting antiviral agents are a safe and effective therapy for HCV chronic infection in the pediatric population. Liver elastography is normal in many vertically infected children before 12 years, but, when abnormal, it shows a significant improvement after direct-acting antiviral agent treatment. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of elastography at diagnosis and follow-up in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Musto
- From the Paediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Luigi Sacco Hospital Milan, University of Milan
| | - Marta Stracuzzi
- From the Paediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Luigi Sacco Hospital Milan, University of Milan
| | - Elisa Crivellaro
- From the Paediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Luigi Sacco Hospital Milan, University of Milan
| | - Valeria Rubinacci
- From the Paediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Luigi Sacco Hospital Milan, University of Milan
| | - Alessandro Cibarelli
- From the Paediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Luigi Sacco Hospital Milan, University of Milan
| | - Cecilia Porro
- From the Paediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Luigi Sacco Hospital Milan, University of Milan
| | - Elena Ghidoni
- From the Paediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Luigi Sacco Hospital Milan, University of Milan
| | - Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children's Hospital
- Department of Biosciences, Pediatric Clinical Research Center Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Vania Giacomet
- From the Paediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Luigi Sacco Hospital Milan, University of Milan
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Malik F, Malyuta R, Volokha A, Bailey H, Collins IJ, Thorne C. Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Response to Direct-acting Antivirals Among Adolescents With HIV/HCV Coinfection: Real-world Data From Ukraine. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2022; 41:417-419. [PMID: 35067642 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have been approved for treating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in children and adolescents. Although DAAs have been used in real-world settings for the treatment of HCV monoinfected adolescents, few reports of real-world use of DAAs in children and adolescents who are coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are available. We evaluated the real-world safety and effectiveness of DAAs in HIV/HCV coinfected adolescents from the Ukraine Paediatric HIV Cohort Study including all those for whom treatment outcomes were available by April 2021. Overall, 6 coinfected adolescents had received DAA treatment; 4 with sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV), 1 with SOF/LDV+ribavirin, and 1 with SOF/daclatasvir. No patient discontinued treatment due to adverse events and no serious adverse events were reported. All 6 patients achieved sustained virologic response by 12 weeks after the end of therapy. DAA treatment was well tolerated and effective in adolescents with HIV/HCV coinfection in a real-world setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farihah Malik
- From the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ruslan Malyuta
- Perinatal Prevention of AIDS Initiative, Odessa, Ukraine
| | - Alla Volokha
- Shupyk National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Heather Bailey
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Intira Jeannie Collins
- Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Thorne
- From the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Malik F, Chulanov V, Pimenov N, Fomicheva A, Lundin R, Levina N, Thorne C, Turkova A, Indolfi G. Treatment and monitoring of children and adolescents with hepatitis C in Russia: Results from a multi-centre survey on policy and practice. J Virus Erad 2022; 8:100063. [PMID: 35198235 PMCID: PMC8844707 DOI: 10.1016/j.jve.2022.100063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Russian Federation has the largest paediatric hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease burden in the World Health Organization European region with an estimated 118,000 children living with HCV viraemia. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have been available for adults in Russia since 2015 and approved for treatment of adolescents aged ≥12 years since 2019. We evaluated DAA availability and uptake for HCV treatment of children and adolescents and clinical practices on diagnosis and management of paediatric HCV in Russia. Methods A survey was distributed to regional ministries of health in 85 administrative regions during September 2020. The survey consisted of 22 items collecting data on: type of facility, aggregate patient characteristics, HCV testing practices for children and pregnant women and HCV management and treatment practices for children. Results Survey responses were received from 37 of the 85 regions in Russia (response rate 44%). 2159 children and adolescents with chronic HCV were in follow-up; 1089 (50%) were female. Of 2080 children with available data on age-groups, 134 (6%) were <3 years, 336 (16%) 3-<6 years, 718 (35%) 6-<12 years and 892 (43%) 12-<18 years. 134 (15%) of 892 adolescents ≥12 years received DAAs, 96 (72%) glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, 26 (19%) sofosbuvir, 8 (6%) daclatasvir and 4 (3%) sofosbuvir/ledipasvir. Conclusions This study provides a baseline of DAA uptake in early stages of rollout for children and adolescents. The use of DAAs for treatment of adolescents in Russia presents a unique opportunity for HCV micro-elimination in this population.
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Gray Neils ME, Pfaeffle HOI, Kulatti AT, Titova A, Lyles GS, Plotnikova Y, Zorkaltseva E, Ogarkov OB, Vitko SM, Dillingham RA, Heysell SK. A Geospatial Bibliometric Review of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the Russian Federation. Front Public Health 2020; 8:75. [PMID: 32300580 PMCID: PMC7145403 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Increasing rates of HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia contrast global trends, but the scope of HIV/AIDS research originating from Russian Federation and countries of the former Soviet Union has not been quantified. Methods: We searched six major scientific databases in Russian and English languages with medical subject heading terms “HIV” or “AIDS” and “Russia” or “Soviet Union” from 1991 to 2016. Each abstract indexed was reviewed and tagged for 25 HIV/AIDS research themes, location of research focus and first author. Results and Discussion: A total of 2,868 articles were included; 2,156 (75.1%) and 712 (24.8%) described research in the Russian Federation and countries of the former Soviet Union, respectively. There were 15 publications per million population in Russian Federation. Federal districts of the Russian Federation with the highest rates of HIV had the most limited publications. An interactive web-map with time-lapse features and links to primary literature was created using ArcGIS® technology [http://arcg.is/2FUIJ5v]. Conclusion: We found a lower than expected publication rate in the Russian Federation relative to rising HIV prevalence. The greatest deficits were in the most HIV burdened regions in the Russian Federation. Our findings highlight opportunities for new research strategies and public health efforts among key populations and subnational regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Gray Neils
- UVA Division of Infectious Diseases & International Health, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Herman O I Pfaeffle
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Art T Kulatti
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Alena Titova
- College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Galina S Lyles
- UVA Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | | | - Elena Zorkaltseva
- Irkutsk State Medical Postgraduate Education Academy, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Oleg B Ogarkov
- Scientific Centre of the Family Health and Human Reproductive Problems, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - Serhiy M Vitko
- UVA Division of Infectious Diseases & International Health, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Rebecca A Dillingham
- UVA Division of Infectious Diseases & International Health, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Scott K Heysell
- UVA Division of Infectious Diseases & International Health, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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Sainz T, Fernández McPhee C, Domínguez-Rodríguez S, Hierro L, Mellado MJ, Fortuny C, Falcón MD, Soler-Palacín P, Rojo P, Ramos JT, Gavilán C, Guerrero C, Díaz MDC, Jara P, Navarro ML. Longitudinal evolution of vertically HIV/HCV-co-infected vs HCV-mono-infected children. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:61-67. [PMID: 31515866 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
HIV co-infection has been suggested to play a deleterious role on the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis among vertically HCV-infected children. The aim of this study was to describe the longitudinal evolution of vertically acquired HIV/HCV co-infection in youths, in comparison with HCV infection alone. This was a retrospective, multicentre study including vertically HIV/HCV-co-infected patients and age- and sex-matched vertically HCV-mono-infected patients. Progression to advanced liver fibrosis, defined as F3 or more by elastography or METAVIR biopsy staging, and response to treatment were compared by means of univariate and multivariate regression analyses and Cox regression models. Sixty-seven co-infected patients were compared with 67 matched HCV-mono-infected patients. No progression to advanced liver disease was observed during the first decade. At a median age of 20.0 [19.0, 22.0] years, 26.7% co-infected vs 20% mono-infected had progressed to advanced fibrosis (P = .617). Peg-IFN/RBV for HCV treatment was given to 37.9% vs 86.6% (P-value < .001). At treatment initiation, co-infected patients were older (16.9 ± 4.1 vs 11.7 ± 4.5 years, P < .001), and 47.1% vs 7.1% showed advanced fibrosis (P < .003), with no differences in hard-to-treat genotype distribution. Sustained viral response was comparable between groups (43.5% vs 44.0%, P = .122). In vertically HIV/HCV-co-infected patients, the progression to liver fibrosis was rare during childhood. At the end of adolescence, over 25% of patients displayed advanced liver disease. Response to Peg-IFN/RBV was poor and comparable in both groups, supporting the need for fast access to early treatment with direct-acting antivirals against HCV for vertically co-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talia Sainz
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital La Paz, and La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.,TRaslational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Fernández McPhee
- TRaslational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Gregorio Marañón and Gregorio Marañón Research Institute (IiSGM), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Domínguez-Rodríguez
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Doce de Octubre, and Doce de Octubre Research Institute (I+12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Loreto Hierro
- Department of Pediatric Hepatology, University Hospital La Paz, and La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - María José Mellado
- TRaslational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital La Paz, La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ) and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Claudia Fortuny
- TRaslational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid, Spain.,Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Sistemic Inflammatory Response Unit, Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament of Pediatrics, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Dolores Falcón
- TRaslational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid, Spain.,Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Rheumatology Unit, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, and Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Pere Soler-Palacín
- TRaslational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid, Spain.,Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Rojo
- TRaslational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid, Spain.,Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital 12 de Octubre and Hospital 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i+12), Madrid, Spain
| | - José Tomás Ramos
- TRaslational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Clínico San Carlos, and Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - César Gavilán
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Carmelo Guerrero
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maria Del Carmen Díaz
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Doce de Octubre, and Doce de Octubre Research Institute (I+12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Jara
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Doce de Octubre, and Doce de Octubre Research Institute (I+12), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Luisa Navarro
- TRaslational Research Network in Pediatric Infectious Diseases (RITIP), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Gregorio Marañón and Gregorio Marañón Research Institute (IiSGM), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Indolfi G, Bailey H, Serranti D, Giaquinto C, Thorne C. Treatment and monitoring of children with chronic hepatitis C in the Pre-DAA era: A European survey of 38 paediatric specialists. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:961-968. [PMID: 30980773 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The burden of paediatric Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection across Europe is unknown, as are current policies regarding monitoring and treatment. This collaborative study aimed to collect aggregate data to characterise the population of ≤18-year-olds with HCV infection in specialist follow up in a 12-month period (2016) across the PENTAHep European consortium, and investigate current policies around monitoring and treatment. A cross-sectional, web-based survey was distributed in April 2017 to 50 paediatricians in 19 European countries, covering patients' profile, and monitoring and treatment practices. Responses were received from 38/50 clinicians collectively caring for 663 children with chronic HCV infection of whom three-quarters were aged ≥6 years and 90% vertically infected. HCV genotype 1 was the most common (n 380; 57.3%), followed by genotype 3, 4 and 2. Seventeen children (3%) with chronic HCV infection were diagnosed with cirrhosis, and six were reported to have received liver transplantation for HCV-related liver disease. The majority (n 425; 64.1%) of the European children with HCV infection remained treatment-naive in 2016. Age affected clinicians' attitudes towards treatment; 94% reported being willing to use direct-acting antivirals, if available, in adolescents (aged ≥11 years), 78% in children aged 6-10 and 42% in those 3-5 years of age (Pearson correlation coefficient -0.98; P 0.0001). This survey provides the largest characterisation of the population of children in clinical follow-up for chronic HCV infection in Europe, alongside important contextual information on their management and treatment. Discussion is needed around strategies and criteria for use of direct-acting antivirals in these children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Indolfi
- Department NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Meyer Children's University-Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Heather Bailey
- University College London, Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Daniele Serranti
- Meyer Children's University-Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Claire Thorne
- University College London, Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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Indolfi G, Easterbrook P, Dusheiko G, El-Sayed MH, Jonas MM, Thorne C, Bulterys M, Siberry G, Walsh N, Chang MH, Meyers T, Giaquinto C, Wirth S, Chan PL, Penazzato M. Hepatitis C virus infection in children and adolescents. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 4:477-487. [PMID: 30982721 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(19)30046-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and associated morbidity and mortality worldwide. Short-course, oral, curative, direct-acting antiviral regimens have transformed treatment for HCV infection. Since the 2016 launch of the first global strategy towards elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, the predominant focus of the global response has been on the treatment of adults, who bear the greatest burden of morbidity and mortality of HCV-related chronic liver disease. Compared with adults, there has been little attention paid to addressing the response to HCV in children and adolescents, in part because of the scarcity of data to inform specific paediatric management practices and policy. In this Series paper, we summarise knowledge on the epidemiology, natural history, and treatment of chronic HCV infection in adolescents and children, and we highlight key differences from infection acquired in adulthood. The estimated global prevalence and burden of HCV infection in children aged 1-19 years is 0·15%, corresponding to 3·5 million people (95% CI 3·1-3·9 million). HCV infection is usually asymptomatic during childhood, and cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are rare. Sofosbuvir with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir with ribavirin have received regulatory approval and guidelines recommend their use in adolescents aged 12 years and older with HCV infection. In April, 2019, glecaprevir with pibrentasvir also received regulatory approval for adolescents aged 12-17 years. Key actions to address the current policy gaps and achieve treatment scale-up that is comparable to that in adults include: establishment of a campaign on access to testing and treatment that is targeted at children and adolescents; fast-track evaluation of pan-genotypic regimens; and accelerated approval of paediatric formulations. Research gaps that need to be addressed include: age-specific prevalence studies of HCV viraemia in priority countries; further validation of non-invasive tests for staging of liver disease in children; and establishment of paediatric treatment registries and international consortia to promote collaborative research agendas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Indolfi
- Paediatric and Liver Unit, Meyer Children's University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Philippa Easterbrook
- Global Hepatitis Programme and HIV Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Geoffrey Dusheiko
- King's College Hospital, London, UK; University College London Medical School, London, UK
| | - Manal H El-Sayed
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Maureen M Jonas
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claire Thorne
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, NIHR GOSH BRC, London, UK
| | - Marc Bulterys
- Global Hepatitis Programme and HIV Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - George Siberry
- Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator, US Department of State, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nick Walsh
- Pan American Health Organization, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Americas, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mei-Hwei Chang
- Department of Paediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tammy Meyers
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Carlo Giaquinto
- Department of Women and Child Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stefan Wirth
- Department of Paediatrics, Helios Medical Centre Wuppertal, Witten-Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| | - Po-Lin Chan
- World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
| | - Martina Penazzato
- Global Hepatitis Programme and HIV Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize children, adolescents and young adults infected with HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) vertically or before age of 18 years and living in Europe regarding mode of acquisition, HCV genotype, clinical status and treatment. DESIGN Retrospective, cross-sectional study using pooled data from 11 European paediatric HIV cohorts. METHODS Patients aged more than 18 months and less than 25 years, with HIV/HCV acquired vertically or in childhood, were included. Anonymized individual patient data were collected using a standard protocol and modified HIV Cohorts Data Exchange Protocol. RESULTS Of 229 patients included, 142 (62%) had vertically acquired infection. Median age at last follow-up was 16.2 years. Most children had HCV genotype 1 (101/184, 55%) or 3 (57/184, 31%). One-fifth (46/214) had a previous AIDS diagnosis (data missing on prior AIDS diagnoses for 15). At their last clinic visit, 70% (145/208) had no/mild immunosuppression (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stage 1), and 131 of 179 on antiretroviral therapy had undetectable HIV RNA (assay thresholds varied from <20 to <150 copies/ml). Overall, 42% (86/204) had hepatomegaly in the previous year, and 55% (116/213) had alanine aminotransferase more than 40 IU/l at their last test. Of 97 patients with transient elastography, 12 had results more than 9 kPa; this was associated with duration of HCV infection (P = 0.033), but not with CD4 cell count, antiretroviral therapy use or sex in univariable analysis. Of 17 patients with liver biopsies, six had bridging fibrosis and one had cirrhosis. Twenty-five (11%) had been treated successfully for HCV. CONCLUSION The high proportion of patients with progressive liver disease underscores the need for close monitoring and earlier and more effective HCV treatment.
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