HBV

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seropositivity during the natural history of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is known to coincide with significant increases in serum and intrahepatic HBV DNA levels. However, the precise underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that PreC (HBeAg precursor) genetic ablation leads to reduced viral replication both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, PreC impedes the proteasomal degradation of HBV polymerase, promoting viral replication. We discovered that PreC interacts with SUV39H1, a histone methyltransferase, resulting in a reduction in the expression of Cdt2, an adaptor protein of CRL4 E3 ligase targeting HBV polymerase...

BACKGROUND: The high incidence of early recurrence after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the main obstacle in achieving good long-term survival outcomes. The aim of the present study is to develop a prognostic model in predicting the risk of very early (1-year) recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent liver resection for HCC with curative intent at multi-centers in China were enrolled in this study. The VERM-pre (the Preoperative Very Early Recurrence Model of HCC) with good performance was derived and validated by internal and external cohorts retrospectively and by another two-center cohort prospectively...

BACKGROUND: Globally, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) cause considerable morbidity and mortality from their acute and chronic infections. The transmission of the viruses within the prisons is high due to overcrowding, and other risk behaviors such as drug use, and unsafe sexual practices. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated factors of HBV and HCV infections among prisoners in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Gondar City Prison Center from May 1, 2022, to July 30, 2022...

Mathematical models of viral infection have been developed, fitted to data, and provide insight into disease pathogenesis for multiple agents that cause chronic infection, including HIV, hepatitis C, and B virus. However, for agents that cause acute infections or during the acute stage of agents that cause chronic infections, viral load data are often collected after symptoms develop, usually around or after the peak viral load. Consequently, we frequently lack data in the initial phase of viral growth, i.e...

BACKGROUND: We evaluated long-term trajectories of circulating hepatitis B virus (HBV)-RNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) in persons with and without hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss during tenofovir therapy in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study. METHODS: We included 29 persons with HIV (PWH) with HBsAg loss and 29 matched PWH without loss. We compared HBV-RNA and HBcrAg decline and assessed the cumulative proportions with undetectable HBV-RNA and HBcrAg levels during tenofovir therapy using Kaplan-Meier estimates...

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine coupled with the awareness of the potential risk of Healthcare Workers acquiring Hepatitis B Virus infection, some HCWs never get vaccinated. Generally, hepatitis B vaccination coverage globally is below the expected level as adherence has remained poor in various healthcare settings, especially in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the completion of a three-dose Hepatitis B virus vaccination cycle and associated factors among healthcare workers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana...

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is reported as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we sequenced the complete genome of an HBV strain identified in a CKD patient in Bangladesh, followed by genomic characterization and mutational analyses.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization Africa region has high regional hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence, and evidence suggests more frequent horizontal HBV transmission than other regions. Context-specific epidemiological studies are needed to inform additional HBV prevention measures. METHODS: In the cross-sectional Horizontal and Vertical Transmission of Hepatitis B (HOVER-HBV) study, we introduced HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) screening alongside existing HIV screening as part of routine antenatal care in high-volume maternity clinics in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo...

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BACKGROUND Hepatic cystic echinococcosis (HCE) is a frequently overlooked parasitic liver disease, for which the commonly recommended treatment is radical resection. However, this approach is often associated with severe comorbidities such as HBV/HCV, cirrhosis, and hepatic carcinoma, among others. CASE REPORT In this report, we present a case successfully managed by ex vivo liver resection and autologous liver transplantation (ELRA). In the described case, ex vivo resection was not feasible due to recurrent lesions and infections invading the portal vein, which resulted in portal vein cavernous transformation...

BACKGROUND: Underlying liver disease is correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the impact of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis on the patients' prognoses remains unclear. METHODS: The clinicopathological data of 638 HBV-infected patients with early-stage HCC between 2017 and 2019 were prospectively collected. Hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated by experienced pathologists using the Scheuer score system...

Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the causes of liver cancer, which is the world's sixth most prevalent and third most lethal cancer. The current treatments do not prevent reinfection; because they are expensive, their usage is limited to developed nations. Therefore, a prophylactic vaccine is essential to control this virus. Hence, in this study, an immunoinformatics method was applied to design a multi-epitope vaccine against HCV. The best B- and T-cell epitopes from conserved regions of the E2 protein of seven HCV genotypes were joined with the appropriate linkers to design a multi-epitope vaccine...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of male hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and serostatus on sperm quality, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal outcomes following intrauterine insemination for infertility. DESIGN AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 962 infertile couples undergoing intrauterine insemination treatment at a single center. The case group comprised 212 infertile couples with male HBV infection, and the control group comprised 750 noninfected infertile couples...

Foreign-born (FB) persons represent a large proportion of adults with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Canada due to higher prevalence rates in countries of birth for FB persons. Suboptimal awareness and low rates of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) testing contribute to underdiagnosis and gaps in accurate estimates of Canada HDV prevalence. We aim to provide an assessment of CHB and HDV prevalence in Canada using a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis. A comprehensive literature review of articles reporting HBsAg seroprevalence and anti-HDV prevalence was conducted to calculate country-specific rates and pooled prevalence of CHB and HDV using meta-analyses...

DTaP-HBV-IPV-Hib hexavalent vaccine has been used in high-income countries for many years to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis, and invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease. Currently, no hexavalent vaccines have been approved for use in China. Evidence of parental acceptance and interest in hexavalent vaccines can help policy makers and manufacturers make decisions about entering the vaccine market and the immunization program in China. We measured parental acceptance and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for a hexavalent vaccine to provide such evidence...

BACKGROUND: In Europe and Italy, marginalized communities have a higher risk for both contracting sexually transmitted infections (STI) and progressing towards adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This study focuses on the screening of HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis among homeless individuals and agricultural migrant workers living in Apulia, Italy. It aims to assess STI prevalence and investigate factors that might hinder return to collect test results. In addition, it explores STI knowledge, attitudes, and practices among these vulnerable populations...

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with high short-term mortality, and early prediction is critical to reduce the deaths of ACLF patients. To date, however, the prognostic accuracy of current models for ACLF is unsatisfactory, particularly, in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aims to develop novel prognostic models based on the dynamic changes in variables to predict the short-term mortality of HBV-associated ACLF (HBV-ACLF)...

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia may be associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following hepatectomy. But traditional single clinical variables are still insufficient to predict recurrence. We still lack effective prediction models for recent recurrence (time to recurrence < 2 years) after hepatectomy for HCC. AIM: To establish an interventable prediction model to estimate recurrence-free survival (RFS) after hepatectomy for HCC based on sarcopenia. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 283 hepatitis B-related HCC patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for the first time, and the skeletal muscle index at the third lumbar spine was measured by preoperative computed tomography...

BACKGROUND: Adequate evaluation of degrees of liver cirrhosis is essential in surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The impact of the degrees of cirrhosis on prediction of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains poorly defined. This study aimed to construct and validate a combined pre- and intra-operative nomogram based on the degrees of cirrhosis in predicting PHLF in HCC patients using prospective multi-center's data. METHODS: Consecutive HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy between May 18, 2019 and Dec 19, 2020 were enrolled at five tertiary hospitals...

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is an RNA subvirus that infects patients with co-existing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. HDV burden is estimated to be approximately 15-20 million people worldwide. Despite HDV severity, screening for HDV remains inadequate. HDV screening would benefit from a revamped approach that automatically reflexes testing when individuals are diagnosed with HBV if HBsAg-positive, to total anti-HDV, and then to quantitative HDV-RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) rather than only testing those at high risk sequentially...