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Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Dec 2022In the last two decades, outbreaks due to the foodborne hepatitis A virus (HAV) have been frequently reported in India, with adolescents and adults primarily affected.... (Review)
Review
In the last two decades, outbreaks due to the foodborne hepatitis A virus (HAV) have been frequently reported in India, with adolescents and adults primarily affected. In India, most food handlers are adolescents and young adults who might be exposed to unsatisfactory environmental conditions and poor water quality. This increases the risk of HAV infection and consequently compounds the risk of HAV transmission from food handlers to susceptible populations. Given the shift in hepatitis A endemicity from high to intermediate levels in India, implementing the vaccination of food handlers has become important as it can also contribute to the elimination of hepatitis A in India. This narrative review makes a case for hepatitis A immunization of food handlers in India considering the growing food industry, evolving food culture, and the substantial burden caused by hepatitis A outbreaks.
Topics: Adolescent; Disease Outbreaks; Food Handling; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis A virus; Humans; Vaccination
PubMed: 33595412
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1868820 -
Viruses Dec 2022Hepatitis A is responsible for 126,000,000 cases of acute viral hepatitis distributed heterogeneously worldwide, with a high disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rate,...
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis A is responsible for 126,000,000 cases of acute viral hepatitis distributed heterogeneously worldwide, with a high disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rate, especially in low-income countries. Data related to Hepatitis A provides information to improve control measures and identify the population at risk. This study aims to analyze temporal trends of Hepatitis A in Brazil and its regions from 2007 to 2018, based on official notification data.
METHODS
Data related to Hepatitis A reported cases from 2007 to 2018 were fitted to a joinpoint model by Brazilian regions, age groups, and gender, allowing the calculation of average annual percentage change (AAPC) and annual percentage change (APC) to estimate trends of Hepatitis A in Brazil.
FINDINGS
From 2007 to 2018, 65,284 Hepatitis A cases notified in Brazil were available for analysis. The Northeast Region reported 18,732 (28.69%) cases, followed by the North Region reporting 18,430 (28.23%), the Southeast Region reporting 14,073 (21.55%), the South Region reporting 7909 (12.11%), and the Central-West Region reporting 6140 (9.4%), respectively. Temporal trend analysis showed that Hepatitis A incidence decreased from 2007 to 2016 in all Brazilian regions for individuals less than 20 years old, but increased in the South and Southeast males between 10 and 39 years after 2016.
CONCLUSIONS
Hepatitis A endemicity is heterogeneous among Brazilian regions. In addition, an unexpected outbreak of HAV among Southeast and South adult males in 2016 resembles the outbreak in Europe, revealing a vulnerable population that should be prioritized by vaccination programs and control measures.
Topics: Adult; Male; Humans; Young Adult; Hepatitis A; Brazil; Disease Outbreaks; Incidence; Europe
PubMed: 36560740
DOI: 10.3390/v14122737 -
Reviews in Medical Virology Sep 2019Hepatitis virus infections affect a large proportion of the global population. The host responds rapidly to viral infection by orchestrating a variety of cellular... (Review)
Review
Hepatitis virus infections affect a large proportion of the global population. The host responds rapidly to viral infection by orchestrating a variety of cellular machineries, in particular, the mitochondrial compartment. Mitochondria actively regulate viral infections through modulation of the cellular innate immunity and reprogramming of metabolism. In turn, hepatitis viruses are able to modulate the morphodynamics and functions of mitochondria, but the mode of actions are distinct with respect to different types of hepatitis viruses. The resulting mutual interactions between viruses and mitochondria partially explain the clinical presentation of viral hepatitis, influence the response to antiviral treatment, and offer rational avenues for novel therapy. In this review, we aim to consider in depth the multifaceted interactions of mitochondria with hepatitis virus infections and emphasize the implications for understanding pathogenesis and advancing therapeutic development.
Topics: Disease Management; Disease Susceptibility; Hepatitis Viruses; Hepatitis, Viral, Human; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial Dynamics; Virus Replication
PubMed: 31322806
DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2075 -
Current Opinion in Virology Feb 2021Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a global public health problem even though more than 95% of infections can be cured by treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents.... (Review)
Review
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a global public health problem even though more than 95% of infections can be cured by treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents. Resolution of viremia post antiviral therapy does not lead to protective immunity and therefore reinfections can occur. Immune cell detection of HCV activates signaling pathways that produce interferons and trigger the innate immune response against the virus, preventing HCV replication and spread. Cells in the innate immune system, including natural killer, dendritic, and Kupffer cells, interact with infected hepatocytes and present viral antigens to T and B cells where their effector responses contribute to infection outcome. Despite the immune activation, HCV can evade the host response and establish persistent infection. Plans to understand the correlates of protection and strategies to activate proper innate and adaptive immune responses are needed for development of an effective prophylactic vaccine that stimulates protective immunity and limits HCV transmission.
Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Humans; Immune Evasion; Immunity, Innate; Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
PubMed: 33137689
DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2020.10.002 -
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Nov 2022With 583 million inhabitants, the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is a worldwide hub for travel, migration, and food trade. However, there is a scarcity of data on...
INTRODUCTION
With 583 million inhabitants, the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is a worldwide hub for travel, migration, and food trade. However, there is a scarcity of data on the epidemiology of the hepatitis A virus (HAV).
METHODS
The MEDLINE and grey literature were systematically searched for HAV epidemiological data relevant to the EMR region published between 1980 and 2020 in English, French, or Arabic.
RESULTS
Overall, 123 publications were extracted. The proportion of HAV cases among acute viral hepatitis cases was high. HAV seroprevalence rate ranged from 5.7% to 100.0% and it was decreasing over time while the average age at infection increased.
CONCLUSION
In the EMR, HAV remains a significant cause of acute viral hepatitis. The observed endemicity shift will likely increase disease burden as the population ages. Vaccinating children and adopting sanitary measures are still essential to disease prevention; vaccinating at-risk groups might reduce disease burden even further.
Topics: Child; Humans; Hepatitis A; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Hepatitis A virus; Hepatitis A Antibodies; Travel; Acute Disease
PubMed: 35617508
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2073146 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Dec 2023Refugees are at higher risk for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV), but often face unique healthcare barriers to vaccination, testing, and treatment. This scoping... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Refugees are at higher risk for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV), but often face unique healthcare barriers to vaccination, testing, and treatment. This scoping review aimed to identify and characterize HBV and HCV prevention and care services serving refugee populations globally.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted on Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed databases. Research studies published in English between January 2010 to July 2022 describing an HBV or HCV prevention, testing, or treatment intervention for refugees were included.
RESULTS
There were a total of 69 articles reporting viral hepatitis prevalence, implementation of services, or economic modelling. Of the 38 implementation studies, 14 were stand-alone HBV and/or HCV interventions, while 24 studies included HBV and/or HCV in an intervention targeting multiple infectious diseases and/or parasitic infections. Interventions commonly included a testing (n = 30) or referral (n = 24) component. Frequently reported features to promote program accessibility included bilingual services (n = 25), community partnerships (n = 21), and multidisciplinary staff members (n = 18), such as cultural and/or linguistic mediators, community health workers, community health leaders, lay health workers, local health staff, members of the refugee community, and social workers. The most commonly reported challenge was the transience of refugees (n = 5). Twenty studies noted funding sources, of which twelve reported governmental funding (not including national health insurance) and eight reported that refugees received national health insurance.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first scoping review to characterize the types of hepatitis prevention, screening, and treatment interventions serving refugee populations globally. Published experiences of HBV and HCV services for refugee populations remain limited. Additional efforts are needed to disseminate models of hepatitis interventions for refugees to ensure access to care for this key population. To achieve hepatitis elimination globally, best practices must be identified and shared to expand access to hepatitis services for refugee populations.
Topics: Humans; Health Services Accessibility; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Refugees
PubMed: 38071291
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08861-1 -
Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... Jun 2020Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable viral disease transmitted by the fecal-oral route. During 2016-2018, the County of San Diego investigated an outbreak of hepatitis A...
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable viral disease transmitted by the fecal-oral route. During 2016-2018, the County of San Diego investigated an outbreak of hepatitis A infections primarily among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) to identify risk factors and support control measures. At the time of the outbreak, homelessness was not recognized as an independent risk factor for the disease.
METHODS
We tested the association between homelessness and infection with hepatitis A virus (HAV) using a test-negative study design comparing patients with laboratory-confirmed hepatitis A with control subjects who tested negative for HAV infection. We assessed risk factors for severe hepatitis A disease outcomes, including hospitalization and death, using multivariable logistic regression. We measured the frequency of indications for hepatitis A vaccination according to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines.
RESULTS
Among 589 outbreak-associated cases reported, 291 (49%) occurred among PEH. Compared with those who were not homeless, PEH had 3.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-7.9) times higher odds of HAV infection, 2.5 (95% CI, 1.7-3.9) times higher odds of hospitalization, and 3.9 (95% CI, 1.1-16.9) times higher odds of death associated with hepatitis A. Among PEH, 212 (73%) patients recorded other ACIP indications for hepatitis A vaccination.
CONCLUSIONS
PEH were at higher risk of infection with HAV and of severe hepatitis A disease outcomes compared with those not experiencing homelessness. Approximately one-fourth of PEH had no other ACIP indication for hepatitis A vaccination. These findings support the recent ACIP recommendation to add homelessness as an indication for hepatitis A vaccination.
Topics: Disease Outbreaks; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis A Vaccines; Hepatitis A virus; Ill-Housed Persons; Humans; Vaccination
PubMed: 31412358
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz788 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2019The pyrogenic property being the first activity described, members of the interleukin-1 superfamily (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-18, and the newest members: IL-33, IL-36, IL-37,... (Review)
Review
The pyrogenic property being the first activity described, members of the interleukin-1 superfamily (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-18, and the newest members: IL-33, IL-36, IL-37, and IL-38) are now known to be involved in several inflammatory diseases such as obesity, atherosclerosis, cancer, viral and parasite infections, and auto-inflammatory syndromes as well as liver diseases. Inflammation processes are keystones of chronic liver diseases, of which the etiology may be viral or toxic, as in alcoholic or non-alcoholic liver diseases. Inflammation is also at stake in acute liver failure involving massive necrosis, and in ischemia-reperfusion injury in the setting of liver transplantation. The role of the IL-1 superfamily of cytokines and receptors in liver diseases can be either protective or pro-inflammatory, depending on timing and the environment. Our review provides an overview of current understanding of the IL-1 family members in liver inflammation, highlighting recent key investigations, and therapeutic perspectives. We have tried to apply the concept of trained immunity to liver diseases, based on the role of the members of the IL-1 superfamily, first of all IL-1β but also IL-18 and IL-33, in modulating innate lymphoid immunity carried by natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells or innate T-αβ lymphocytes.
Topics: Animals; Cytokines; Disease Susceptibility; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Hepatitis; Humans; Interleukin-1; Liver Diseases; Multigene Family; Receptors, Interleukin-1
PubMed: 31507607
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02014 -
Viruses Dec 2020Around 257 million people are living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection and 71 million with hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection. Both HBV and HCV... (Review)
Review
Around 257 million people are living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection and 71 million with hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection. Both HBV and HCV infections can lead to liver complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To take care of these chronically infected patients, one strategy is to diagnose the early stage of fibrosis in order to treat them as soon as possible to decrease the risk of HCC development. microRNAs (or miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs which regulate many cellular processes in metazoans. Their expressions were frequently modulated by up- or down-regulation during fibrosis progression. In the serum of patients with HBV chronic infection (CHB), miR-122 and miR-185 expressions are increased, while miR-29, -143, -21 and miR-223 expressions are decreased during fibrosis progression. In the serum of patients with HCV chronic infection (CHC), miR-143 and miR-223 expressions are increased, while miR-122 expression is decreased during fibrosis progression. This review aims to summarize current knowledge of principal miRNAs modulation involved in fibrosis progression during chronic hepatitis B/C infections. Furthermore, we also discuss the potential use of miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose fibrosis with the intention of prioritizing patients with advanced fibrosis for treatment and surveillance.
Topics: Biomarkers; Disease Progression; Disease Susceptibility; Gene Expression Regulation; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C; Humans; Immune System; Liver Cirrhosis; MicroRNAs; Prognosis; Virus Replication
PubMed: 33327640
DOI: 10.3390/v12121440 -
Bundesgesundheitsblatt,... Feb 2022Worldwide, the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses (HBV, HCV) are the most relevant causative viral agents of a chronic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). At... (Review)
Review
Worldwide, the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses (HBV, HCV) are the most relevant causative viral agents of a chronic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). At present, more than 250 million people suffer from a chronic HBV infection globally, resulting in 0.8 million deaths per year. A chronic HCV infection accounts for about 70 million cases worldwide, leading to a death toll of about 1 million per year. An approved vaccine is only available against an HBV infection. Both HBV and HCV infections result in a highly increased risk of developing liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).This review aims to describe mechanisms of the HBV- and HCV-associated pathogenesis. The focus is on the interplay between a chronic infection with intracellular signaling transduction, metabolic pathways with an emphasis on lipid metabolism, the establishment of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis during a chronic infection, and the mechanisms of the onset of a virally induced HCC.Despite there being great advances in the characterization of viral life cycles and the development of robust antiviral strategies, significant hurdles persist: gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms that drive virus-associated pathogenesis as well as increasing insights regarding different viral genotypes having impacts on alternate pathogeneses.
Topics: Carcinogenesis; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Germany; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Hepatitis C; Humans; Liver Neoplasms
PubMed: 35015106
DOI: 10.1007/s00103-021-03482-y