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Chen PJ. Challenges for hepatitis B control in Asia-Pacific areas: Consolidating vaccination and rolling-out antiviral therapies. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 39:1033-1039. [PMID: 38413195 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was, and still is, a prevalent liver disease in the world, especially high in the Asia-Pacific areas. With the advent of preventive vaccines and effective viral suppression drugs and active implementations, CHB has gradually become under control. The world-wide prevalence reduces from 4.2% in 1980 to 3.2% in 2020 study. CHB patients receiving long-term antiviral therapies significantly improve the clinical outcomes, saving from end-stage liver diseases. Despite of these impressive progresses, to meet the WHO sustained development goals (SDG) for CHB control, a 90% reduction of incidence and a 65% reduction of mortality in year 2030, there is still a long way to go. In this review, four ongoing approaches have been proposed: (i) A continuous monitoring of long-term vaccine efficacy in vaccinated populations; (ii) consolidating the hepatitis B virus vaccination program against vaccine hesitancy and limited resources; (iii) rolling-out current oral antivirals to more CHB patients not only for diseases treatment but also for infection preventions; and (iv) development of curative therapies, both friendly-to-dispense and affordable. A coherent and persevere efforts by the society may succeed and achieve the SDG for CHB in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Jer Chen
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
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O'Brien SF, Goldman M, Ehsani-Moghaddam B, Fan W, Osmond L, Pambrun C, Drews SJ. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in Canadian blood donors: Insight into donor representativeness of the general population. Vaccine X 2024; 18:100498. [PMID: 38800670 PMCID: PMC11127215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2024.100498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Blood donors world-wide were indispensable for monitoring anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies generated by infection and vaccination during the pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, donor vaccination behaviours were under-studied. We aimed to compare the percentage of Canadian blood donors with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination antibodies with the percentage of the general population who received at least one dose of vaccine each month during initial vaccine deployment. We also report donor attitudes towards SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Methods Canadian blood donors were randomly selected for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing over 2021 (N = 165,240). The percentage of donor samples with vaccination antibodies were compared with the percentage of general population who received at least one dose of vaccine in each month of 2021 except February. A random sample of Canadian blood donors were surveyed about vaccination intent and attitudes (N = 4,558 participated, 30.4 % response rate). Results The percentages of the general population vaccinated and donors with vaccination antibodies increased from 1 % to over 90 %. General population vaccination was greater early in vaccine deployment than donors (p < 0.05), greater in donors than the general population by mid-2021 (p < 0.05) but they were similar by the end of 2021. While 52.6 % of surveyed donors had received vaccine in May 2021, a further 41.1 % intended to when eligible. Most donors thought COVID-19 infection could be serious (83.5 %) and that it was important to be vaccinated even if previously infected (77.8 %). Conclusion Early pandemic vaccine prioritization to at-risk individuals and healthcare workers gave rise to higher general population vaccination percentages, while donors had higher vaccine antibody percentages as vaccine was deployed to progressively younger age groups. Since blood donors may be more willing to receive vaccination, under pandemic conditions they may be valuable for monitoring vaccination-induced seroprevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila F. O'Brien
- Epidemiology & Surveillance, Canadian Blood Services, 1800 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4J5, Canada
- School of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Mindy Goldman
- Donation and Policy Studies, Canadian Blood Services, 1800 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4J5, Canada
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Behrouz Ehsani-Moghaddam
- Epidemiology & Surveillance, Canadian Blood Services, 1800 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4J5, Canada
- Centre for Studies in Primary Care, Department of Family Medicine, Queens University, 220 Bagot Street, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3G2, Canada
| | - Wenli Fan
- Epidemiology & Surveillance, Canadian Blood Services, 1800 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4J5, Canada
| | - Lori Osmond
- Epidemiology & Surveillance, Canadian Blood Services, 1800 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4J5, Canada
| | - Chantale Pambrun
- Innovation & Portfolio Management, Medical Affairs & Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, 1800 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4J5, Canada
| | - Steven J. Drews
- Microbiology, Canadian Blood Services, 8249-114 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, 118 Street & 86 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
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Osiowy C, Giles E, Lowe CF, Matic N, Murphy DG, Uzicanin S, Drews SJ, O'Brien SF. Hepatitis B virus genotype surveillance in Canadian blood donors and a referred patient population, 2016-2021. Vox Sang 2024; 119:232-241. [PMID: 38141175 DOI: 10.1111/vox.13568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes (A-H) have a distinct geographic distribution and are highly associated with the country of birth. Canada has experienced increased immigration over the past decade, primarily from regions where HBV is endemic. This study investigated the proportions and trends of HBV genotypes within blood donor and clinical populations of Canada over the period 2016-2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study samples involved two cohorts: (1) Canadian blood donors (n = 246) deferred from donation due to HBV test positivity and (2) chronic HBV patients from across Canada (clinically referred population, n = 3539). Plasma or serum was extracted, and the surface antigen and/or polymerase-coding region was amplified and sequenced to determine genotype by phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS Six (A-E, G) and eight (A-H) HBV genotypes were detected among deferred blood donors and the clinically referred population, respectively. Differences in HBV genotype proportions between the two cohorts were observed across Canada. Males comprised most of the referred population among genotypes A-E (p < 0.0001), except for genotypes B and C. The median age was younger among blood donors (36 years [range 17-72]) compared with the referred population (41 years [range 0-99]). Distinct trends of increasing (E, referred; B, blood donor) and decreasing genotype prevalence were observed over the study period. CONCLUSION HBV genotypes in Canada are highly diverse, suggesting a large immigrant population. Observed trends in genotype prevalence and proportional differences among cohorts imply shifts among the HBV-infected population of Canada, which warrants continued surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Osiowy
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Giles
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Christopher F Lowe
- St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nancy Matic
- St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Donald G Murphy
- Laboratoire de Santé Publique du Québec, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Steven J Drews
- Canadian Blood Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Division of Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sheila F O'Brien
- Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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O'Brien SF, Ehsani-Moghaddam B, Goldman M, Drews SJ. Prevalence of Hepatitis B in Canadian First-Time Blood Donors: Association with Social Determinants of Health. Viruses 2024; 16:117. [PMID: 38257817 PMCID: PMC11326446 DOI: 10.3390/v16010117] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B is transmitted sexually, by blood contact, and vertically from mother to child. Chronic hepatitis B is often seen in immigrants from higher-prevalence countries and their Canadian-born children. We assessed the relationship between hepatitis B and social determinants of health. Included were 1,539,869 first-time Canadian blood donors from April 2005 to December 2022. All donations were tested for hepatitis B markers. Logistic regression was fit with chronic hepatitis B as the dependent variable and age, sex, year, and ethnocultural composition and material deprivation quintiles as independent variables. Chronic hepatitis B prevalence was 47.5/100,000 (95% CI 41.5-53.5, years 2017-2022). Chronic hepatitis B prevalence was elevated in males, older age groups, and those living in more materially deprived and higher ethnocultural neighbourhoods. Of 212,518 donors from 2020 to 2022 with race/ethnicity data, chronic hepatitis B prevalence was highest in East Asians. The findings are consistent with infections in immigrants, acquired in their country of origin, in their Canadian-born children and in those with other risks. As blood donors are a low-risk population unaware of their infection and unlikely to seek testing, our results highlight the ongoing public health challenges of diagnosing chronic hepatitis B and treating it when appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila F O'Brien
- Epidemiology & Surveillance, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON K1G 4J5, Canada
- School of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 192, Canada
| | - Behrouz Ehsani-Moghaddam
- Epidemiology & Surveillance, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON K1G 4J5, Canada
- Centre for Studies in Primary Care, Department of Family Medicine, Queens University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Mindy Goldman
- Donation and Policy Studies, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON K1G 4J5, Canada
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1G 192, Canada
| | - Steven J Drews
- Microbiology, Canadian Blood Services, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
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Damiani AS, Holzmayer V, Galli C, De Nuzzo M, Anderson M, Cloherty G, Di Renzo N. Serological and Molecular Characterization of Occult HBV Infection in Blood Donors from South Italy. Viruses 2023; 16:71. [PMID: 38257771 PMCID: PMC10819115 DOI: 10.3390/v16010071] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite good vaccine coverage and careful blood donor selection policies, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still the most frequent viral infection among blood donors (BDs) in Italy, mostly in the occult form (OBI). We studied the virological features of OBI in BDs from South Italy by serology, molecular testing for HBV-DNA, and sequencing for HBV genotypes and mutations. One hundred and two samples from 95 BDs (22.1% first time, 87.9% regular, median age 57 years) positive for HBV-DNA and negative for HBsAg were retrospectively analyzed. HBV biomarkers were detected in 96.9% (anti-HBc in 44.2%, anti-HBc plus anti-HBs in 49.5%, anti-HBs alone in 3.2%). No risk factor was declared by 45.3% of donors. HBV-DNA levels were very low (median: 7 IU/mL). All samples harbored HBV genotype D and single or multiple mutations in the S gene were found in 28/36 sequences analyzed and in 75% of donors. Mutations were unrelated to gender, donor group or serological patterns. An HBsAg assay with enhanced sensitivity was positive in samples from seven donors (7.4%), two of which negative for HBV-DNA by real-time PCR. OBI still represents a risk for HBV transmission from blood donations; screening by highly sensitive serological and molecular assays is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vera Holzmayer
- R&D, Abbott Diagnostics, Chicago, IL 60064, USA; (V.H.); (M.A.); (G.C.)
| | | | - Mariangela De Nuzzo
- Servizio Immunotrasfusionale, A.O. Vito Fazzi, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.D.N.); (N.D.R.)
| | - Mark Anderson
- R&D, Abbott Diagnostics, Chicago, IL 60064, USA; (V.H.); (M.A.); (G.C.)
| | - Gavin Cloherty
- R&D, Abbott Diagnostics, Chicago, IL 60064, USA; (V.H.); (M.A.); (G.C.)
| | - Nicola Di Renzo
- Servizio Immunotrasfusionale, A.O. Vito Fazzi, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (M.D.N.); (N.D.R.)
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