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Mak LY, Liu K, Chirapongsathorn S, Yew KC, Tamaki N, Rajaram RB, Panlilio MT, Lui R, Lee HW, Lai JCT, Kulkarni AV, Premkumar M, Lesmana CRA, Hsu YC, Huang DQ. Liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma in the Asia-Pacific region: burden, trends, challenges and future directions. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024:10.1038/s41575-024-00967-4. [PMID: 39147893 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-024-00967-4] [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] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Globally, nearly half of deaths from cirrhosis and chronic liver diseases (CLD) and three-quarters of deaths from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occur in the Asia-Pacific region. Chronic hepatitis B is responsible for the vast majority of liver-related deaths in the region. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common form of CLD, affecting an estimated 30% of the adult population. Compared with people of European descent, people from the Asia-Pacific region carry more genetic variants associated with MASLD and its progression. Alcohol is a fast-growing cause of CLD and HCC in Asia as a result of the rising per-capita consumption of alcohol. Drug-induced liver injury is under-recognized and probably has a high prevalence in this region. The epidemiological and outcome data of acute-on-chronic liver failure are heterogeneous, and non-unified definitions across regions contribute to this heterogeneity. CLDs are severely underdiagnosed, and effective treatments and vaccinations are underutilized. In this Review, we highlight trends in the burden of CLD and HCC in the Asia-Pacific region and discuss the rapidly changing aetiologies of liver disease. We examine the multiple gaps in the care cascade and propose mitigating strategies and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lung-Yi Mak
- The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ken Liu
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Rashid Lui
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hye Won Lee
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Anand V Kulkarni
- Department of Hepatology, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Madhumita Premkumar
- Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Yao Chun Hsu
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine and Graduate Institute of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine and Graduate Institute of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Daniel Q Huang
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
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2
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Rajkumar N, Khumukcham LS, Thangjam D, Singh S, Khwairakpam G, Shilton S, Goel A. Decentralised same day test and treatment of hepatitis C levering existing peer support networks among men who inject drugs: feasibility and effectiveness. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:98. [PMID: 38769517 PMCID: PMC11103967 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-01001-1] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among people who inject drugs in the state of Manipur, India, is 43%; however, access to care is poor. We piloted a Community-led and comprehensive hepatitis care model that included same-day HCV treatment at drug treatment centres. METHODS Screening was conducted through venipuncture samples collected by community peer PWID, using HCV antibody (HCV Ab) rapid screening and hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) rapid diagnostic tests. Reactive HCV Ab samples were tested for HCV RNA using near point-of-care Truenat® HCV on Truelab® Quattro. Eligible HCV RNA-positive participants were treated on the same day using direct-acting antivirals and followed for sustained virologic response (SVR). HBsAg-negative participants received rapid HBV vaccination regimen while those positive for HBsAg were tested for DNA and referred for treatment. RESULTS Between November 2021 and August 2022, 643 individuals were approached and 503 consented and were screened. All screened were males with history of injection drug use, and a median age of 27 years (IQR 23-32). Of the 241 (47.9%) HCV Ab reactive all underwent RNA testing and 156 (64.7%) were RNA detectable. Of those with viraemia, 155 (99.4%) were initiated on treatment with 153 (98.1%) on same day, with 2 (1.2%) HBsAg positive and waiting for HBV DNA results. Among those 153, median time from HCV Ab screening to treatment was 6 h 38 min (IQR 5 h 42 min-8 h 23 min). In total 155 (100%) completed HCV treatment, of those 148 (95.5%) completed SVR testing and 130 (87.8%) achieved SVR12. 27 (5%) participants were HBsAg-positive, 3 (11.1%) were also living with HCV viraemia; 443 (97.6%) were eligible for vaccination and 436 (98.4%) received all 3 vaccine doses. CONCLUSION Community-led hepatitis care incorporating same day "test and treat" for HCV was feasible and effective. HBV screening identified a large proportion who were unvaccinated. Peer support extended resulted in ensuring compliance to care and treatment cascade and completing all the three doses of HBV vaccination. As the screening, diagnostics infrastructure and vaccine are available in most countries with national viral hepatitis programs also in place, our model can be adapted or replicated to progress towards global elimination targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Surender Singh
- Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | | | | | - Amit Goel
- Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
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3
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Ivanova Reipold E, Shilton S, Donolato M, Fernandez Suarez M. Molecular Point-of-Care Testing for Hepatitis C: Available Technologies, Pipeline, and Promising Future Directions. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:S342-S349. [PMID: 37897429 PMCID: PMC11078314 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad463] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major public health problem, despite the availability of effective treatments. In many areas, the ability to diagnose HCV infection at the point of care is key to scaling up access to care and treatment. To achieve this, an accurate, easy-to-use, and affordable diagnostic tool is required-this would enable decentralized testing and the creation of one-stop centers to eliminate gaps in the care cascade, which would help reach the millions of people with undiagnosed HCV infection in low- and middle-income countries and high-risk populations in high-income countries. In this review, we examine the current state of point-of-care molecular technologies, the advantages and limitations of currently available devices (both near- and true-point-of-care), the potential of molecular testing to transform diagnostic medicine in the future, and the challenges that need to be addressed for broader adoption of this technology in routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Marco Donolato
- FIND, The Global Alliance for Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
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Rupasinghe D, Choi JY, Kumarasamy N, Pujari S, Ly PS, Merati TP, Lee MP, Van Nguyen K, Kiertiburanakul S, Do CD, Avihingsanon A, Ross J, Jiamsakul A. Viral hepatitis and the cascade of care among people living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific. HIV Med 2022; 23:959-968. [PMID: 35218151 PMCID: PMC9402797 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13280] [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: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the prevalence and mortality of hepatitis is high in the Asia-Pacific region, few studies are available on the diagnosis, treatment, and cure rates for viral hepatitis among people living with HIV in this area. This study aims to report the cascade of care (CoC) for hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) among people living with HIV receiving combined antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS Patients enrolled in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database Low Intensity Transfer (TAHOD-LITE) cohort, on ART, and with follow-up data from 2010 to 2019 were included. Patients were determined as positive for HCV or HBV co-infection if they ever tested positive for HCV antibody (anti-HCV) or HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), respectively. RESULTS In total, 39% (8612/22 340) of the adult HIV cohort had undergone HBsAg testing, with 8% (672/8612) testing positive. HBV CoC demonstrated that 71% (474/672) of those with HBsAg positive results initiated treatment, 67% (318/474) of those on treatment had HBV DNA testing to evaluate treatment progression, and 18% (58/318) of those tested reached viral suppression. Of the cohort, 37% (8231/22 340) had anti-HCV testing, of whom 10% (779/8231) tested positive. The HCV CoC showed that 68% (526/779) of those with positive anti-HCV tests had HCV RNA tests, of whom 51% (267/526) had detectable HCV RNA. Among those with detectable HCV RNA, 65% (174/267) initiated HCV treatment. Of the 40% (69/174) who initiated HCV treatment, 90% (62/69) reached sustained virological response. CONCLUSION Our findings identified less frequent testing in the healthcare system and limited access to treatment as gaps in the CoC for viral hepatitis. More routine HCV RNA and HBV DNA testing is required for patients with positive screening tests to identify those in need of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jun Yong Choi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal
Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | | | - Penh Sun Ly
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology & STDs, Phnom
Penh, Cambodia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Anchalee Avihingsanon
- HIV-NAT/ Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre and
Tuberculosis research unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok,
Thailand
| | - Jeremy Ross
- TREAT Asia, amfAR - The Foundation for AIDS Research,
Bangkok, Thailand
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Tsai PC, Dai CY, Huang CI, Yeh ML, Huang CF, Hsieh MH, Yang JF, Hsu PY, Liang PC, Lin YH, Jang TY, Hsieh MY, Lin ZY, Chen SC, Huang JF, Yu ML, Chuang WL, Chang WY. Low disease awareness as a contributing factor to the high prevalence of hepatitis C infection in Tzukuan, a hyperendemic area of southern Taiwan. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2022; 38:694-702. [PMID: 35485737 DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12552] [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: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the barriers and tackling the hurdles of hepatitis C virus (HCV) care cascades is key to HCV elimination. The current study aimed to investigate the rates of disease awareness, link-to-care, and treatment uptake of HCV in a hyperendemic area in Taiwan. Tzukuan residents from 2000 to 2018 were invited to participate in the questionnaire-based interviews for HCV. The rates of disease awareness, accessibility, and anti-HCV therapy were evaluated in anti-HCV-seropositive participants. Among 10,348 residents, 1789 (17.3%) were anti-HCV seropositive. Of these 1789 anti-HCV-seropositive participants, data of 594 participants from questionnaire-based interviews in 2005-2018 were analyzed for HCV care cascades. Overall, 24.9% of anti-HCV-seropositive HCV participants had disease awareness, 53.9% of aware participants had accessibility, and 79.8% of assessed participants had received HCV treatment, with a community effectiveness of 10.7%. HCV prevalence decreased over time, from 21.2% in the early cohort to 9.3% in the recent cohort. Disease awareness increased over time, from 15.6% to 41.7%, with the community effectiveness increasing from 1.3% to 28.8%. Lower education levels and normal liver biochemistry were associated with a lower rate of disease awareness. Notably, 68% of participants with abnormal liver biochemistry and 69% of those with advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 > 3.25) were unaware of their HCV disease. We demonstrated huge gaps in disease awareness, link-to-care, and treatment uptake in the HCV care cascade in an HCV-hyperendemic area, even in the initial era of direct-acting antiviral agents. There is an urgent need to overcome these hurdles to achieve HCV elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chien Tsai
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yen Dai
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Preventive Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-I Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Lun Yeh
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Feng Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Hsuan Hsieh
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Preventive Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jeng-Fu Yang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Preventive Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Yao Hsu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Cheng Liang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hung Lin
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tyng-Yuan Jang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yen Hsieh
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Zu-Yau Lin
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shinn-Chern Chen
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jee-Fu Huang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Centre for Liquid Biopsy and Cancer Research Centre, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Lung Yu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Centre for Liquid Biopsy and Cancer Research Centre, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Long Chuang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Faculty of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yu Chang
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Markby J, Shilton S, Sem X, Chan HK, Md Said R, Siva S, Zainuddin Z, Abu Bakar N, Omar H, Ruiz RJI, Gaeddert M, Tyshkovskiy A, Adee M, Chhatwal J, Kumar S, Piedagnel JM, Mohd Zain R, Menétrey C, Yuswan F, Hairizan Nasir N, Andrieux-Meyer I, Ismail F, Zakaria R, Hasim R, Murad S, Easterbrook P, Hassan MRA. Assessing the impact of simplified HCV care on linkage to care amongst high-risk patients at primary healthcare clinics in Malaysia: a prospective observational study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e055142. [PMID: 34952885 PMCID: PMC8713014 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To achieve the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV), substantial scale-up in access to testing and treatment is needed. This will require innovation and simplification of the care pathway, through decentralisation of testing and treatment to primary care settings and task-shifting to non-specialists. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of decentralisation of HCV testing and treatment using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in primary healthcare clinics (PHCs) among high-risk populations, with referral of seropositive patients for confirmatory viral load testing and treatment. METHODS This observational study was conducted between December 2018 and October 2019 at 25 PHCs in three regions in Malaysia. Each PHC was linked to one or more hospitals, for referral of seropositive participants for confirmatory testing and pretreatment evaluation. Treatment was provided in PHCs for non-cirrhotic patients and at hospitals for cirrhotic patients. RESULTS During the study period, a total of 15 366 adults were screened at the 25 PHCs, using RDTs for HCV antibodies. Of the 2020 (13.2%) HCV antibody-positive participants, 1481/2020 (73.3%) had a confirmatory viral load test, 1241/1481 (83.8%) were HCV RNA-positive, 991/1241 (79.9%) completed pretreatment assessment, 632/991 (63.8%) initiated treatment, 518/632 (82.0%) completed treatment, 352/518 (68.0%) were eligible for a sustained virological response (SVR) cure assessment, 209/352 (59.4%) had an SVR cure assessment, and SVR was achieved in 202/209 (96.7%) patients. A significantly higher proportion of patients referred to PHCs initiated treatment compared with those who had treatment initiated at hospitals (71.0% vs 48.8%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the effectiveness and feasibility of a simplified decentralised HCV testing and treatment model in primary healthcare settings, targeting high-risk groups in Malaysia. There were good outcomes across most steps of the cascade of care when treatment was provided at PHCs compared with hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Huan Keat Chan
- Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar, Malaysia
| | | | - Sasikala Siva
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | - Mary Gaeddert
- Division of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Center of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Tyshkovskiy
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Madeline Adee
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jagpreet Chhatwal
- Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Fazidah Yuswan
- Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Fatanah Ismail
- Family Health Development Division, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Rozita Zakaria
- Family Health Development Division, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Ruziaton Hasim
- Family Health Development Division, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Shahnaz Murad
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Philippa Easterbrook
- Global HIV, Hepatitis & STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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