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Garg J, Verma P, Singh M, Das A, Pathak A, Agarwal J. Hepatitis C virus core antigen: A diagnostic and treatment monitoring marker of hepatitis C virus in Indian population. Indian J Gastroenterol 2024:10.1007/s12664-024-01549-7. [PMID: 38619807 DOI: 10.1007/s12664-024-01549-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis and treatment monitoring of hepatitis C is quite challenging. The screening test, i.e. antibody assay, is unable to detect acute cases, while the gold standard hepatitis C virus (HCV) reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) assay is not feasible in resource-limited countries such as India due to high cost and infrastructure requirement. European Association for the Study of the Liver and World Health Organization have approved a new marker, i.e. HCV core antigen (HCVcAg) assay, as an alternative to molecular assay. In this study, we have evaluated HCVcAg assay for diagnosis and treatment monitoring follow-up in Indian population infected with hepatitis C. METHODS Blood specimen of 90 clinically suspected cases of acute hepatitis C were tested simultaneously for anti-HCV antibody assay via ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay), HCVcAg assay by chemiluminescence immune assay (CLIA) and HCV RTPCR VL (viral load) assay. Thirty-four HCV RTPCR positive patients were further enrolled in treatment monitoring group whose blood samples were tested at the beginning of treatment, two weeks, four weeks and 12 weeks via HCV core Ag assay and HCV RTPCR Viral Load assay. RESULTS Considering HCV RTPCR as gold standard, diagnostic performance of HCV core Ag assay and anti-HCV antibody assay was evaluated. The sensitivity and specificity of HCV core Ag assay were higher than that of anti-HCV Antibody assay, i.e. 88.3% and 100% vs. 23.3% and 83.3%, respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy of HCV core Ag assay was 92.20%. Among treatment follow-up group, HCV core Ag levels correlated well with HCV viral load levels, at the beginning of treatment (baseline) till 12 weeks showing highly significant Spearman rank correlation coefficient of > 0.9 with HCV viral load levels. CONCLUSIONS HCV core Ag assay is a cost-effective, practically feasible substitute of HCV RTPCR viral load assay for diagnosis as well as long duration treatment monitoring of hepatitis C infection in resource-limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya Garg
- Department of Microbiology, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226 010, India.
| | - Prashant Verma
- Department of Gastromedicine, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226 010, India
| | - Mridu Singh
- Department of Medicine, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226 010, India
| | - Anupam Das
- Department of Microbiology, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226 010, India
| | - Anurag Pathak
- Department of Community Medicine, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226 010, India
| | - Jyotsna Agarwal
- Department of Microbiology, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, 226 010, India
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Cooke GS, Andrieux-Meyer I, Applegate TL, Atun R, Burry JR, Cheinquer H, Dusheiko G, Feld JJ, Gore C, Griswold MG, Hamid S, Hellard ME, Hou J, Howell J, Jia J, Kravchenko N, Lazarus JV, Lemoine M, Lesi OA, Maistat L, McMahon BJ, Razavi H, Roberts T, Simmons B, Sonderup MW, Spearman CW, Taylor BE, Thomas DL, Waked I, Ward JW, Wiktor SZ. Accelerating the elimination of viral hepatitis: a Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology Commission. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 4:135-184. [PMID: 30647010 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-1253(18)30270-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 335] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Viral hepatitis is a major public health threat and a leading cause of death worldwide. Annual mortality from viral hepatitis is similar to that of other major infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis. Highly effective prevention measures and treatments have made the global elimination of viral hepatitis a realistic goal, endorsed by all WHO member states. Ambitious targets call for a global reduction in hepatitis-related mortality of 65% and a 90% reduction in new infections by 2030. This Commission draws together a wide range of expertise to appraise the current global situation and to identify priorities globally, regionally, and nationally needed to accelerate progress. We identify 20 heavily burdened countries that account for over 75% of the global burden of viral hepatitis. Key recommendations include a greater focus on national progress towards elimination with support given, if necessary, through innovative financing measures to ensure elimination programmes are fully funded by 2020. In addition to further measures to improve access to vaccination and treatment, greater attention needs to be paid to access to affordable, high-quality diagnostics if testing is to reach the levels needed to achieve elimination goals. Simplified, decentralised models of care removing requirements for specialised prescribing will be required to reach those in need, together with sustained efforts to tackle stigma and discrimination. We identify key examples of the progress that has already been made in many countries throughout the world, demonstrating that sustained and coordinated efforts can be successful in achieving the WHO elimination goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham S Cooke
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | | | | | - Rifat Atun
- Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Hugo Cheinquer
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Center for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Max G Griswold
- Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - JinLin Hou
- Hepatology Unit and Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jess Howell
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jidong Jia
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Health Systems Research Group, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maud Lemoine
- Division of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Brian J McMahon
- Liver Disease and Hepatitis Program, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AL, USA
| | - Homie Razavi
- Center for Disease Analysis Foundation, Lafayette, CO, USA
| | | | - Bryony Simmons
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mark W Sonderup
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C Wendy Spearman
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - David L Thomas
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Imam Waked
- National Liver Institute, Menoufiya University, Egypt
| | - John W Ward
- Program for Viral Hepatitis Elimination, Task Force for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stefan Z Wiktor
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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3
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Howell J, Pedrana A, Cowie BC, Doyle J, Getahun A, Ward J, Gane E, Cunningham C, Wallace J, Lee A, Malani J, Thompson A, Hellard ME. Aiming for the elimination of viral hepatitis in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands and Territories: Where are we now and barriers to meeting World Health Organization targets by 2030. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 34:40-48. [PMID: 30151932 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.14457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Viral hepatitis affects more than 320 million people globally, leading to significant morbidity and mortality due to liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). More than 248 million people (3.2% globally) are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), and an estimated 80 million people (1.1% globally) are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). In 2015, more than 700 000 deaths were directly attributable to HBV, and nearly 500 000 deaths were attributable to HCV infection; 2-5% of HBV-infected people develop HCC per annum irrespective of the presence of cirrhosis, whereas 1-5% HCV-infected people with advanced fibrosis develop HCC per annum. The rapidly escalating global mortality related to HBV and HCV related viral hepatitis to be the 7th leading cause of death worldwide in 2013, from 10th leading cause in 1990. Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Countries and Territories fall within the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region, which has a high prevalence of viral hepatitis and related morbidity, particularly HBV. Remarkably, in this region, HBV-related mortality is greater than for tuberculosis, HIV infection, and malaria combined. The region provides a unique contrast in viral hepatitis prevalence, health system resources, and approaches taken to achieve World Health Organization global elimination targets for HBV and HCV infection. This review highlights the latest evidence in viral hepatitis epidemiology and explores the health resources available to combat viral hepatitis, focusing on the major challenges and critical needs to achieve elimination in Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Countries and Territories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jess Howell
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin C Cowie
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Aneley Getahun
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | - James Ward
- Head Aboriginal Health, Infection and Immunity, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Matthew Flinders Fellow, Flinders University Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ed Gane
- New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, and Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Chris Cunningham
- Research Centre for Maõri Health and Development, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jack Wallace
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alice Lee
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.,Hepatitis B Free, Australia
| | - Jioji Malani
- School of Public Health and Primary Care, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | - Alex Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret E Hellard
- Disease Elimination, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Adland E, Jesuthasan G, Downs L, Wharton V, Wilde G, McNaughton AL, Collier J, Barnes E, Klenerman P, Andersson M, Jeffery K, Matthews PC. Hepatitis virus (HCV) diagnosis and access to treatment in a UK cohort. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:461. [PMID: 30217169 PMCID: PMC6137907 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3367-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background As direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is progressively rolled out for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, careful scrutiny of HCV epidemiology, diagnostic testing, and access to care is crucial to underpin improvements in delivery of treatment, with the ultimate goal of elimination. Methods We retrospectively studied microbiology records from a large UK teaching hospital in order to compare the performance of HCV screening and diagnostic tests (antibody, antigen and HCV RNA detection). Having described a local cohort of adults with active HCV infection, we investigated the proportion who attended hospital appointments, were prescribed direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy, and cleared HCV RNA following treatment. Results Over a total time period of 33 months between 2013 and 2016, we tested 38,509 individuals for HCV infection and confirmed a new diagnosis of active HCV infection (HCV-Ag + and/or HCV RNA+) in 353 (positive rate 0.9%). Our in-house HCV-Ab screening test had a positive predictive value of 87% compared to repeat HCV-Ab testing in a reference laboratory, highlighting the potential for false positives to arise using this test. HCV-Ag had 100% positive predictive value compared to detection of HCV RNA. There was a strong correlation between quantitative HCV-Ag and HCV RNA viral load (p < 0.0001). Among the cases of infection, genotype-1 and genotype-3 predominated, the median age was 37 years, 84% were male, and 36% were in prison. Hepatology review was provided in 39%, and 22% received treatment. Among those who received DAA therapy with 12 weeks of follow-up, 93% achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR12). Conclusions HCV-Ag performs well as a diagnostic test compared to PCR for HCV RNA. Active HCV infection is over-represented among men and in the prison population. DAA therapy is successful in those who receive it, but a minority of patients with a diagnosis of HCV infection access clinical care. Enhanced efforts are required to provide linkage to clinical care within high risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Adland
- Department of Paediatrics, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Gerald Jesuthasan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Louise Downs
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Victoria Wharton
- Department of Hepatology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Gemma Wilde
- Department of Hepatology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Anna L McNaughton
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Jane Collier
- Department of Hepatology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Eleanor Barnes
- Department of Hepatology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK.,Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.,Department of Hepatology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK.,Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Monique Andersson
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Katie Jeffery
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Philippa C Matthews
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK. .,Nuffield Department of Medicine, Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3SY, UK.
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Ishizaki A, Bouscaillou J, Luhmann N, Liu S, Chua R, Walsh N, Hess S, Ivanova E, Roberts T, Easterbrook P. Survey of programmatic experiences and challenges in delivery of hepatitis B and C testing in low- and middle-income countries. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:696. [PMID: 29143609 PMCID: PMC5688462 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-017-2767-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There have been few reports on programmatic experience of viral hepatitis testing and treatment in resource-limited settings. To inform the development of the 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) viral hepatitis testing guidance and in particular the feasibility of proposed recommendations, we undertook a survey across a range of organisations engaged with hepatitis testing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Our objective was to describe current hepatitis B and C testing practices across a range of settings in different countries, as well as key barriers or challenges encountered and proposed solutions to promote testing scale-up. Methods Hepatitis testing programmes in predominantly LMICs were identified from the WHO Global Hepatitis Programme contacts database and through WHO regional offices, and invited to participate. The survey comprised a six-part structured questionnaire: general programme information, description of hepatitis testing, treatment and care services, budget and funding, data on programme outcomes, and perceptions on key barriers encountered and strategies to address these. Results We interviewed 22 viral hepatitis testing programmes from 19 different countries. Nine were from the African region; 6 from the Western Pacific; 4 from South-East Asia; and 3 from Eastern Europe. All but four of the programmes were based in LMICs, and 10 (45.5%) were supported by non-governmental or international organizations. All but two programmes undertook targeted testing of specific affected populations such as people living with HIV, people who inject drugs, sex workers, health care workers, and pregnant women. Only two programmes focussed on routine testing in the general population. The majority of programmes were testing in hospital-based or other health facilities, particularly HIV clinics, and community-based testing was limited. Nucleic acid testing (NAT) for confirmation of HCV and HBV viraemia was available in only 30% and 18% of programmes, respectively. Around a third of programmes required some patient co-payment for diagnosis. The most commonly identified challenges in scale-up of hepatitis testing were: limited community awareness about viral hepatitis; lack of facilities or services for hepatitis testing; no access to low cost treatment, particularly for HCV; absence of national guidance and policies; no dedicated budget for hepatitis; and lack of trained health care and laboratory workers. Conclusions At this early stage in the global scale-up of testing for viral hepatitis, there is a wide variation in testing practices and approaches across different programmes. There remains limited access to NAT to confirm viraemia, and patient self-payment for testing and treatment is common. There was consensus from implementing organizations that scale-up of testing will require increased community awareness, health care worker training, development of national strategies and guidelines, and improved access to low cost NAT virological testing. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-017-2767-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azumi Ishizaki
- Global Hepatitis Programme, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, 27, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Niklas Luhmann
- Médecins du Monde, 62 rue Marcadet, 75018, Paris, France
| | - Stephanie Liu
- World Health Organization, Regional Office of the Western Pacific, United Nations Avenue, 1000, Manila, Philippines
| | - Raissa Chua
- World Health Organization, Regional Office of the Western Pacific, United Nations Avenue, 1000, Manila, Philippines
| | - Nick Walsh
- World Health Organization, Regional Office of the Western Pacific, United Nations Avenue, 1000, Manila, Philippines
| | - Sarah Hess
- Global Hepatitis Programme, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, 27, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elena Ivanova
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Campus Biotech, Building B2, Level 0, 9 Chemin des Mines, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Teri Roberts
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Campus Biotech, Building B2, Level 0, 9 Chemin des Mines, 1202, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Philippa Easterbrook
- Global Hepatitis Programme, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, 27, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Association of Genotype and Haplotype of IL-28B Gene with Hepatitis C Infection Outcome in Iran: Spontaneous Clearance Versus Chronic Infection. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2017. [DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.45745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
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Halliday JS, Harrison GA, Brown A, Hunter JG, Bendall R, Penny D, Toatu T, Abdad MY, Klenerman P, Barnes E, Dalton HR. Hepatitis E virus infection, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Kiribati, 2003-2005. Emerg Infect Dis 2015; 20:1057-8. [PMID: 24856799 PMCID: PMC4036777 DOI: 10.3201/eid2006.130562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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Howell J, Van Gemert C, Lemoine M, Thursz M, Hellard M. Overview of hepatitis B prevalence, prevention, and management in the Pacific Islands and Territories. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2014; 29:1854-66. [PMID: 25131570 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
There are over 500-750 000 deaths per year because of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide and the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region has some of the highest endemic levels of HBV in the world, particularly within China, South East Asia and Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICT). The PICT have unique ethnic diversity and a very high prevalence of smoking and metabolic syndrome, both important risk factors for liver fibrosis and liver cancer. However, in contrast to many Asian countries, there is little published data on HBV prevalence and related liver disease burden in PICT. In this review, the available published literature and World Health Organization data for HBV prevalence and related liver disease and liver cancer burden in PICT is outlined, and unmet needs for improving HBV prevention and control in the region are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Howell
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK; Department of Hepatology, St. Mary's Hospital, London, UK; The Macfarlane-Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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