Emerging hepatitis B virus infection in vaccinated populations: a rising concern?

Economic Evaluation of Nucleic Acid Testing for Screening of Blood Donations for Thalassemia Patients (ECONAT) in Western India

Background

Transfusion Transmitted infections(TTI) are of significant concern for blood safety. The thalassemia patients who receive multiple transfusions are at an increased risk of TTIs and the Nucleic Acid Test (NAT ) has been advocated for safe blood. Though NAT can reduce the window period compared to serology, cost is a constraint.

Methods

The thalassemia patient and NAT yield data from the centralized NAT lab in AIIMS Jodhpur was evaluated for cost-effectiveness using the Markov model. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated by dividing the difference between the cost for NAT and the cost of medical management of TTI-related complications by the product of the difference in utility value of a TTI health state with time and Gross National Income(GNI) per capita.

Results

Out of the 48,762 samples tested by NAT, 43 samples were discriminated NAT yield all of which were reactive for Hepatitis B (NAT yield of 1:1134). There was no HCV and HIV NAT yield despite HCV being the most prevalent TTI in this population. The cost of this intervention was INR 5,85,14,400. The number of lifetime QALY saved was 1.38 years. The cost of medical management is INR 82,19,114. Therefore the ICER for intervention is INR 3,64,45,860 per QALY saved which is 274 times the GNI per capita of India.

Conclusions

The provision of IDNAT-tested blood for thalassemia patients in Rajasthan state was not found to be cost-effective. Measures to bring down the cost or alternative options to increase blood safety should be explored.

Insights into induction of the immune response by the hepatitis B vaccine

After more than four decades of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine implementation, its safety and efficacy in preventing HBV infection have been proven and several milestones have been achieved. Most countries have included HBV immunization schedules in their health policies and progress has been made regarding universalization of the first HBV vaccine dose at birth. All of these actions have significantly contributed to reducing both the incidence of HBV infection and its related complications. However, there are still many drawbacks to overcome. The main concerns are the deficient coverage rate of the dose at birth and the large adult population that has not been reached timely by universal immunization. Additionally, the current most widely used second-generation vaccines do not induce protective immunity in 5% to 10% of the population, particularly in people over 40-years-old, obese (body mass index > 25 kg/m²), heavy smokers, and patients undergoing dialysis or infection with human immunodeficiency virus. Recently developed and approved novel vaccine formulations using more potent adjuvants or multiple antigens have shown better performance, particularly in difficult settings. These advances re-launch the expectations of achieving the World Health Organization’s objective of completing hepatitis control by 2030.

Long-term SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding and its temporal association to IgG seropositivity

Longitudinal characterization of SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing from COVID-19 patient's nasopharynx and its juxtaposition with blood-based IgG-seroconversion diagnostic assays is critical to understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection durations. Here, we retrospectively analyze 851 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with at least two positive PCR tests and find that 99 of these patients remain SARS-CoV-2-positive after 4 weeks from their initial diagnosis date. For the 851-patient cohort, the mean lower bound of viral RNA shedding was 17.3 days (SD: 7.8), and the mean upper bound of viral RNA shedding from 668 patients transitioning to confirmed PCR-negative status was 22.7 days (SD: 11.8). Among 104 patients with an IgG test result, 90 patients were seropositive to date, with mean upper bound of time to seropositivity from initial diagnosis being 37.8 days (95% CI: 34.3-41.3). Our findings from juxtaposing IgG and PCR tests thus reveal that some SARS-CoV-2-positive patients are non-hospitalized and seropositive, yet actively shed viral RNA (14 of 90 patients). This study emphasizes the need for monitoring viral loads and neutralizing antibody titers in long-term non-hospitalized shedders as a means of characterizing the SARS-CoV-2 infection lifecycle.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Vaccination Coverage and Serologic Evidence of Immunity Among US-Born Children and Adolescents From 1999 to 2016

IMPORTANCE

The World Health Assembly has called for the elimination of hepatitis B and C by 2030. As hepatitis B has no cure, the US strategy to eliminate hepatitis B has focused on prevention through vaccination. However, there are limited data on the trend in vaccine-associated immunity since the US implementation of universal infant hepatitis B vaccination.

OBJECTIVE

To compare self-reported hepatitis B vaccination coverage among children and adolescents with serologic evidence of immunity and infection in the US from 1999 to 2016.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This population-based cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2016. US-born persons aged 2 to 18 years without missing hepatitis B serologic test results and with reported vaccination history were included. Data were analyzed from September 2017 to June 2018.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The proportion of participants who reported complete vaccination for hepatitis B and who had positive serologic test results indicating immunity.

RESULTS

Of 21 873 children and adolescents, 51.2%% were male, and the mean (SD) age was 10.6 (4.6) years. The survey reported that hepatitis B vaccination coverage increased significantly from 1999 to 2016 (from 62.6% [95% CI, 58.6%-66.4%] to 86.3% [95% CI, 82.9%-89.2%]; P < .001). Vaccine-associated immunity also increased from 1999 to 2016 among children aged 2 to 5 years (from 60.7% [95% CI, 48.8%-71.4%] to 65.2% [95% CI, 57.4%-72.3%]; P = .001) but decreased among children aged 6 to 10 years (from 64.6% [95% CI, 57.7%-70.9%] to 46.5% [95% CI, 39.1%-54.0%]; P < .001), adolescents aged 11 to 13 years (from 68.8% [95% CI, 58.1%-77.8%] to 26.2% [95% CI, 18.6%-35.5%]; P < .001), and adolescents aged 14 to 18 years (from 68.5% [95% CI, 62.9%-73.6%] to 15.6% [95% CI, 12.2%-19.8%]; P < .001). By birth year, serologic evidence of vaccine-associated immunity significantly decreased in the 1994-2003 NHANES birth cohort but not among those born between 1988 and 1993. Non-US-born children and adolescents did not show the same decreasing trend in immunity.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cross-sectional study, decreasing hepatitis B immunity was observed among US-born children and adolescents in the 1994-2003 NHANES birth cohort despite increasing rates of hepatitis B vaccination coverage. These findings suggest a possible need for surveillance and a booster vaccine dose for hepatitis B as those without serologic evidence of immunity become young adults and may engage in behaviors associated with an increased risk for infection.

Hepatitis B: Immunization and Impact on Natural History and Cancer Incidence

Enhancing host immunity by vaccination to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains the most important strategy for global control of hepatitis B. Currently, 187 countries have in place infant hepatitis B vaccination programs. Hepatitis B surface antigen prevalence has decreased to less than 1% in children after successful implementation of universal HBV vaccination in newborns. The incidence of primary liver cancer in children, adolescents, and young adults has drastically decreased to near zero in birth cohorts receiving hepatitis B vaccination. Elimination of chronic hepatitis B by 2030 is not a mission impossible.

Significance of Decreasing Rate of HIV and HBV Co-infection in a Nationwide Korean HIV/AIDS Cohort

From December 2006 to December 2016, 1093 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) individuals < 70 years enrolled in Korea human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cohort were analyzed to investigate the prevalence of HIV/HBV co-infection rate and hepatitis B virus surface antibody (HBsAb) positive rate based on birth year. The HBV co-infection prevalence rate was the highest (8.8%) in patients born between 1960 and 1964 and the lowest (0%) among those born between 1995 and 1999. A decreasing linear trend of HBV co-infection rate was observed according to the 5-year interval changes. HBsAb-positive rate was only 58.1% in our study. The national HBV vaccination programs have effectively lowered the HBV co-infection rate in HIV population. However, it is identified that the HIV population has low HBsAb positive rate. Further evidences supporting efficacy of booster immunization for HBsAb negative HIV patients are required and efforts should be made to increase HBsAb positive rates among HIV patients to prevent horizontal transmission.

Impact of universal childhood vaccination against hepatitis B in Ghana: A pilot study

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is of public health importance worldwide. Vaccination against the infection, especially in early childhood has significantly reduced the public health impact. This pilot study was undertaken in Cape Coast Metropolitan area to assess the impact of the introduction of HBV vaccination in children. A cross-sectional multi-stage cluster sampling of 501 pupils from 30 public and private primary and junior high schools within the Cape Coast metropolis. A questionnaire covering basic demographic details and immunisation history were administered to the participants after consent and assent had been sought. Hepatitis B serological test for HBsAg, HBcAb, HBsAb, HBeAg and HbeAb was undertaken using Hepatitis B test kit and capillary blood from the participants. The general prevalence of HBcAb, HBsAg and HBsAb was found to be 3.6, 2.6 and 19.8% respectively. The prevalence of HBcAb was 2.6 and 6.1% among pupils delivered after and before the vaccine programme introduction respectively. Introduction of the vaccination programme in Ghana has had a positive impact on the HBV infection in Ghana.

2017 European guideline for the screening, prevention and initial management of hepatitis B and C infections in sexual health settings

This guideline updates the 2010 European guideline for the management of hepatitis B and C virus infections. It is primarily intended to provide advice on testing, prevention and initial management of viral hepatitis B and C for clinicians working in sexual health clinical settings in European countries. The guideline is in a new question and answer format based on clinical situations, from which population/intervention/comparison/outcome questions were formulated. Updates cover areas such as epidemiology, point-of-care tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C risk and 'chemsex', and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and hepatitis B. We have also included a short paragraph on hepatitis E noting there is no evidence for sexual transmission. The guideline has been prepared in accordance with the Europe protocol for production available at http://www.iusti.org/regions/europe/pdf/2017/ProtocolForProduction2017.pdf.

Bridging academic science and clinical research in the search for novel targeted anti-cancer agents

This review starts with a brief history of drug discovery & development, and the place of Asia in this worldwide effort discussed. The conditions and constraints of a successful translational R&D involving academic basic research and clinical research are discussed and the Singapore model for pursuit of open R&D described. The importance of well-characterized, validated drug targets for the search for novel targeted anti-cancer agents is emphasized, as well as a structured, high quality translational R&D. Furthermore, the characteristics of an attractive preclinical development drug candidate are discussed laying the foundation of a successful preclinical development. The most frequent sources of failures are described and risk management at every stage is highly recommended. Organizational factors are also considered to play an important role. The factors to consider before starting a new drug discovery & development project are described, and an example is given of a successful clinical project that has had its roots in local universities and was carried through preclinical development into phase I clinical trials.

Improving clinical outcomes of chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health problem, leading to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver-related deaths. Universal hepatitis B vaccination is the most cost-effective way to eradicate HBV infection with the remarkable reduction of chronic carriage, neonatal fulminant hepatitis and childhood HCC. The introduction of highly effective antiviral agents, including lamivudine, adefovir dipivoxil, entecavir, telbivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and pegylated interferons further improve short-, medium- and long-term outcomes of chronic HBV infection, such as ALT normalization, HBV DNA suppression, HBeAg seroconversion, HBsAg seroclearance, fibrosis regression, reduction of cirrhosis, HCC, liver-related deaths and the need for liver transplantation. Above all, sustained and profound viral suppression is the key to improve the clinical outcomes of chronic hepatitis B.