Introduction of an automated system for the diagnosis and quantification of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses

Clinical evaluation of a newly developed automated massively parallel sequencing assay for hepatitis C virus genotyping and detection of resistance-association variants. Comparison with a line probe assay

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, HCV was classified into 6 major genotypes (GTs) and 67 subtypes (STs). Efficient genotyping has become an essential tool for prognosis and indicating suitable treatment, prior to starting therapy in all HCV-infected individuals. The widely used genotyping assays have limitation with regard to genotype accuracy. This study was a comparative evaluation of exact HCV genotyping in a newly developed automated-massively parallel sequencing (MPS) system, versus the established Line probe assay 2.0 (LiPA), substantiated by Sanger sequencing, using 120 previously identified-HCV RNA positive specimens. LiPA gave identical genotypes in the majority of samples tested with MPS. However, as much as 25% of LiPA did not identify subtypes, whereas MPS did, and 0.83% of results were incompatible. Interestingly, only MPS could identify mixed infections in the remaining cases (1.67%). In addition, MPS could detect Resistance-Associated Variants (RAVs) simultaneously in GT1 in 56.82% of the specimens, which were known to affect drug resistance in the HCV NS3/NS4A and NS5A genomic regions. MPS can thus be deemed beneficial for guiding decisions on HCV therapy and saving costs in the long term when compared to traditional methods.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Hepatitis B and C Co-Infection Among HIV-1-Infected Patients in Kenya

Background:

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are among the most chronic viral infections worldwide. Co-infections with HBV and HCV have become increasingly common among people living with HIV, resulting in a growing public health concern. The primary aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV and their associated factors among HIV-1-infected patients attending the Ngong Sub-County Hospital comprehensive care clinic.

Methods:

After providing consent, a 5 mL blood sample was collected from each study participant visiting the comprehensive care clinic. The blood was screened for hepatitis B surface antigen and HCV antibodies using chemiluminescence immunoassay test according to the manufacturer's instructions. The CD4 T-cell counts were determined using FACSCalibre machine, while HIV-1 viral load was determined using the Abbott m2000rt System according to the manufacturer's instructions. A questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic information and data on factors associated with HBV and HCV co-infections.

Results:

One hundred and ninety HIV-1-infected patients participated in this study: 150 (78.9%) women and 40 (21.1%) men. In the overall study population, the prevalence of HBV co-infection was 5.8% (95% CI, 2.6%–8.9%) and of HCV co-infection was 4.2% (95% CI, 1.6%–7.4%). However, no individual was co-infected with all 3 viruses. HCV was associated with antiretroviral treatment (OR 0.2; 95% CI, 0.0–0.8; P=.036), while HBV showed a significant association with condom usage (OR 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1–0.9; P=.039) and median viral load.

Conclusion:

A high prevalence of HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV co-infection was reported in this study, suggesting that HIV-infected patients should be routinely screened for HBV and HCV infections, and preventive and control measures should be put in place that include public education on HBV and HCV infections.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Different Testing Strategies that Use Antibody Levels to Detect Chronic Hepatitis C in Blood Donors

Aim. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of seven hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing strategies in blood donors. Methods. Three of the seven strategies were based on HCV diagnosis and reporting guidelines in Mexico and four were from previous and current recommendations outlined by the CDC. The strategies that were evaluated determine antibody levels according to the signal-to-cut-off (S/CO) ratio and use reflex Immunoblot (IMB) or HCV RNA tests to confirm true positive (TP) cases of chronic HCV infection. Costs were calculated from the perspective of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). A decision tree model was developed to estimate the expected number of true positive cases and costs for the base-case scenarios and for the sensitivity analyses. Results. Base-case findings indicate an extended dominance of the CDC-USA2 and CDC-USA4 options by the IMSS Mexico3 and IMSS-Mexico1 alternatives. The probabilistic sensitivity analyses results suggest that for a willingness-to-pay (WTP) range of $0–9,000 USD the IMSS-Mexico1 strategy is the most cost-effective of all strategies ($5,000 USD per TP). The IMSS-Mexico3, IMSS-Mexico2, and CDC-USA3 strategies are also cost-effective strategies that cost between $7,800 and $8,800 USD per TP case detected. The CDC-USA1 strategy was very expensive and not cost-effective. Conclusions. HCV antibody testing strategies based on the classification of two or three levels of the S/CO are cost-effective procedures to identify patients who require reflex IMB or HCV RNA testing to confirm chronic HCV infection.

Hepatitis B and C virus infections among patients with end stage renal disease in a low-resourced hemodialysis center in Vietnam: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Hemodialysis services in Vietnam are being decentralised outside of tertiary hospitals. To identify the challenges to infection control standards for the prevention of bloodborne infections including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) we tested the magnitude of HBV and HCV infections in the largest unit in Ho Chi Minh City servicing patients with end stage renal disease.

METHODS

All 113 patients provided consent HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV core antigen (HCV-coreAg) testing. Positive patients were tested for viral genotypes. All participants completed a questionnaire on demographic characteristics, risk factors and previous attendance to other hemodialysis units.

RESULTS

Seroprevalence of 113 patients enrolled was 7% (8/113, 95% CI 2.3%-11.8%) HBsAg, 6% (7/113, 95% CI 1.7%-10.6%) HCV-coreAg and 1% (1/113, 95% CI 0.8%-2.6%) co-infection. Having a HBV positive sexual partner significantly increased the risk of acquiring HBV (P = 0.016, Odds Ratio (OR) =29, 95% CI 2-365). Risk factors for HCV included blood transfusion (P = 0.049), multiple visits to different hemodialysis units (P = 0.048, OR = 5.7, 95% CI 1.2-27.5), frequency of hemodialysis (P = 0.029) and AST plasma levels >40 IU/L (P = 0.020, OR = 19.8, 95% CI 2.3-171). On multivariate analysis only blood transfusion remained significant risk factor for HCV (P = 0.027, adjusted OR = 1.2).

CONCLUSIONS

HCV screening for HCV of blood products must improve to meet the infection prevention challenges of decentralizing hemodialysis services. The level of HCV and HBV in our hemodialysis unit is a warning that universal precautions will be the next challenge for decentralised hemodialysis services in Vietnam.

Molecular oncology testing in resource-limited settings

Cancer prevalence and mortality are high in developing nations, where resources for cancer control are inadequate. Nearly one-quarter of cancers in resource-limited nations are infection related, and molecular assays can capitalize on this relationship by detecting pertinent pathogen genomes and human gene variants to identify those at highest risk for progression to cancer, to classify lesions, to predict effective therapy, and to monitor tumor burden over time. Prime examples are human papillomavirus in cervical neoplasia, Helicobacter pylori and Epstein-Barr virus in gastric adenocarcinoma and lymphoma, and hepatitis B or C virus in hepatocellular cancer. Research is underway to engineer devices that overcome social, economic, and technical barriers limiting effective laboratory support. Additional challenges include an educated workforce, infrastructure for quality metrics and record keeping, and funds to sustain molecular test services. The combination of well-designed interfaces, novel and robust electrochemical technology, and telemedicine tools will promote adoption by frontline providers. Fast turnaround is crucial for surmounting loss to follow-up, although increased use of cell phones, even in rural areas, enhances options for patient education and engagement. Links to a broadband network facilitate consultation and centralized storage of medical data. Molecular technology shows promise to address gaps in health care through rapid, user-friendly, and cost-effective devices reflecting clinical priorities in resource-poor areas.

Obstetric management does not influence vertical transmission of HCV infection: results of the ALHICE group study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of variation in obstetric practice during labor and childbirth upon the rate of neonatal transmission of HCV.

METHODS

Pregnant mothers were included in this prospective study from six hospitals in Southern France on the basis of positive HCV serology. Data recorded for the study included maternal factors, delivery details and laboratory data concerning mother and child. Pediatric follow-up was documented for a minimum of 1 year and for up to 2 years for children with circulating HCV RNA.

RESULTS

Two hundred and fourteen mother-child pairs were investigated. HIV/HCV co-infected mothers had a rate of HCV transmission significantly higher (11%) than that observed for mono-infected mothers (3.8%) (odds ratio=3.08 [95% CI:0.95 to 9.99] p=0.05). When the HCV viral load was greater than or equal to 6 log copies/ml, the transmission rate was 14.3% [95% CI:5.4-28.5], this representing a risk of transmission four times higher than for women with a lower viral load (OR=4 [95% CI:1.3-12.4]). Among co-infected mothers, the risk of transmission was significantly increased even when the load was less than 6 log copies/ml (p=0.006). Risk factors were identified related to labor (duration and induction type); the birth process (rupture of the amniotic sac, complete opening of the sac, appearance of the amniotic fluid); fetal characteristics (prematurity) and obstetric maneuvers (instrumental extractions, spontaneous or induced perineal trauma) and none of these factors were associated with an increased rate of HCV maternal-fetal transmission.

CONCLUSIONS

HCV infection does not appear to be a legitimate indication for modifying obstetric practices with regards to type of induction, monitoring of labor, route of delivery, fetal and perineal obstetric maneuvers or care of the newborn in the delivery room.