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Golkocheva-Markova E, Ganova-Raeva L. Editorial: Epidemiology and Control of Hepatitis Viruses. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:1369. [PMID: 39598168 PMCID: PMC11595933 DOI: 10.3390/life14111369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2024] [Accepted: 10/18/2024] [Indexed: 11/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Five hepatitis viruses-hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis D (HDV), and hepatitis E (HEV)-have a huge impact on human health with their ability to cause acute and often chronic infection [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Elitsa Golkocheva-Markova
- NRL Hepatitis Viruses, Virology Department, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Lilia Ganova-Raeva
- Assay Development and Virology Research Team Lead, Division of Viral Hepatitis, NCHHSTP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA;
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Grecu LI, Pavel-Tanasa M, Matei L, Sultana C, Ruta SM, Grecu RI, Ursu RG, Cianga P, Iancu LS. Molecular Epidemiology of Hepatitis D Virus in the North-East Region of Romania. Pathogens 2024; 13:793. [PMID: 39338984 PMCID: PMC11435033 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13090793] [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: 07/24/2024] [Revised: 09/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis D virus (HDV) superinfection of individuals with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes severe liver damage and the poorest long-term prognosis among viral hepatitis. This is attributed to the unique pathogenic mechanisms of HDV characterized by a direct cytopathic effect on hepatocytes and a significant impairment of the host immune response. The HDV genotype largely influences the extent of the pathogenic mechanisms with consequences on disease progression towards cirrhosis, liver decompensation, or hepatocellular carcinoma. In this context, identifying the circulating HDV genotypes in European regions with high prevalence, such as Romania, is crucial for effectively managing the long-term liver health. Here, we report the first comprehensive HDV study in Romania that clinically characterizes 82 patients and performs HDV genotyping by combining the nested-PCR reaction with sequencing analysis in 49 samples with an HDV-RNA load higher than 5000 IU/mL. While all isolates in our study belong to the HDV-1 genotype, the phylogenetic analysis based on sequence data from GenBank reveals the presence of the following potential three groups: (i) Italy and France; (ii) Spain; and (iii) Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and Germany. This broad clustering highlights the recent surge in migration to and from Western Europe and the Middle East. Equally important, no differences in viral markers, clinical and paraclinical parameters, or treatment options were observed between these identified clusters. Nevertheless, this study considerably advances the understanding of hepatitis D epidemiology and clinical aspects in Romania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Iulia Grecu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (L.I.G.); (R.I.G.); (R.G.U.); (L.S.I.)
- Department of Emerging Viral Diseases, “Stefan S. Nicolau” Institute of Virology, 030304 Bucharest, Romania; (C.S.); (S.M.R.)
| | - Mariana Pavel-Tanasa
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Laboratory of Immunology, St. Spiridon County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Lilia Matei
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, “Stefan S. Nicolau” Institute of Virology, 030304 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Camelia Sultana
- Department of Emerging Viral Diseases, “Stefan S. Nicolau” Institute of Virology, 030304 Bucharest, Romania; (C.S.); (S.M.R.)
| | - Simona Maria Ruta
- Department of Emerging Viral Diseases, “Stefan S. Nicolau” Institute of Virology, 030304 Bucharest, Romania; (C.S.); (S.M.R.)
| | - Razvan Ioan Grecu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (L.I.G.); (R.I.G.); (R.G.U.); (L.S.I.)
- Diaverum Romania, 011857 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ramona Gabriela Ursu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (L.I.G.); (R.I.G.); (R.G.U.); (L.S.I.)
- Microbiology Department, Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital-Cuza Voda, 700038 Iasi, Romania
| | - Petru Cianga
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Laboratory of Immunology, St. Spiridon County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Luminita Smaranda Iancu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (L.I.G.); (R.I.G.); (R.G.U.); (L.S.I.)
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