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Bulletin of the World Health... 1982THREE FORMS OF VIRAL HEPATITIS CAN BE RECOGNIZED: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis non-A, non-B. Hepatitis A is caused by a picornavirus, is transmitted by the...
THREE FORMS OF VIRAL HEPATITIS CAN BE RECOGNIZED: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis non-A, non-B. Hepatitis A is caused by a picornavirus, is transmitted by the faceal-oral route, does not become chronic, and no chronic virus carriers exist. The virus can be grown in cell cultures, and killed as well as live attenuated virus vaccines are under development. Hepatitis B is caused by an enveloped virus containing a circular, double-stranded form of DNA. The disease is transmitted parenterally through inoculation of blood or blood products containing virus or through close personal contact with a virus-positive person. Hepatitis B becomes chronic in a certain number of cases and can lead to cirrhosis and primary liver cell carcinoma. The blood and certain body secretions of individuals with a persistent or chronic infection may remain infectious for many years. The hepatitis B virus cannot be grown in cell cultures but the entire genome has been sequenced and cloned in bacterial and eukaryotic cells. An inactivated virus vaccine has been prepared from hepatitis B surface antigen present in the plasma of hepatitis B virus carriers and further vaccines are under development. The agents of hepatitis non-A, non-B have not been identified. It is possible to distinguish between a predominantly parenterally transmitted and an orally transmitted form of hepatitis non-A, non-B. The latter is reported to be caused by a picornavirus that does not, however, have any antigenic relationship with hepatitis A virus.
Topics: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis, Viral, Human; Humans; World Health Organization
PubMed: 6817933
DOI: No ID Found -
Bundesgesundheitsblatt,... Feb 2022Viral hepatitis A to E describes various infectious inflammations of the liver parenchyma that are caused by the hepatitis viruses A to E (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, and... (Review)
Review
Viral hepatitis A to E describes various infectious inflammations of the liver parenchyma that are caused by the hepatitis viruses A to E (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, and HEV). Although the clinical pictures are similar, the pathogens belong to different virus families and differ in terms of pathogenesis, transmission routes, clinical course, prevention, and therapy options. In Germany, there is mandatory reporting according to the Infection Protection Act (IfSG) for direct or indirect laboratory evidence and for suspicion, illness, and death of viral hepatitis. The data are transmitted to the Robert Koch Institute.In this article, on the basis of published studies and notification data, we describe the epidemiology of hepatitis A to E as well as current challenges and prevention approaches. In particular, the latter contains the improvement of existing vaccination recommendations (hepatitis A and B); improvement of access to prevention, testing, and care including therapy with antiviral drugs (hepatitis B, C, and D) and the detection and prevention of foodborne infections and outbreaks; and improvements in the field of food safety (hepatitis A and E).
Topics: Germany; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis Viruses; Hepatitis, Viral, Human; Humans
PubMed: 35029725
DOI: 10.1007/s00103-021-03478-8 -
PloS One 2022Poor compliance with multi-dose vaccine schedules by adults for whom hepatitis (Hep) A and B vaccines are recommended contributes to major Hep A and B disease burdens... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Poor compliance with multi-dose vaccine schedules by adults for whom hepatitis (Hep) A and B vaccines are recommended contributes to major Hep A and B disease burdens among high-risk U.S. adults. Evidence on hepatitis vaccine series adherence, completion, timeliness of completion, and factors associated with these outcomes, is limited and not readily generalizable for U.S. adults. This retrospective, observational study examined adherence, completion, its timeliness, and the impact of sociodemographic and clinical factors on these outcomes among a large, geographically representative sample of U.S. adults. We analyzed the Optum Clinformatics SES administrative claims database (1/1/2010-6/30/2020) for recipients of 2-dose (HepA, HepB2) or 3-dose (HepB3, HepAB) hepatitis vaccines. Adherence was defined as receipt of booster doses within specified assessment periods, per label-recommended schedules. Completion (receipt of all doses) was assessed at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.The study included 356,828 adults ≥19 years old who were continuously enrolled in a medical benefit plan for one (HepB2), six (HepB3; HepAB), or 18 months (HepA) prior to and following the index date (first observed vaccine dose). Adherence and 24-month completion rates were: HepA (27.0%, 28.4%), HepB2 (32.2%, 44.8%), HepB3 (14.3%, 37.3%), HepAB, (15.3%, 33.8%). Kaplan-Meier completion curves plateaued after about 6 months for HepB2 and about 12 months for HepA, HepB3, and HepAB vaccines. Logistic regression analyses showed risk for low adherence/completion was generally associated with male gender, younger age, Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, lower educational or household income attainment, and more comorbidities. Adherence and completion rates for all hepatitis vaccine series are low, especially for males, younger adults, those with lower socio-economic status and more comorbidities. To our knowledge, this is the largest claims-based analysis of adherence and completion rates for U.S. adults initiating all currently available HepA and HepB vaccines. Findings may inform hepatitis vaccination programming.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis A Vaccines; Hepatitis A virus; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Vaccines; Hepatitis B virus; Humans; Immunization Schedule; Insurance Claim Review; Male; Medication Adherence; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Vaccination; Young Adult
PubMed: 35176102
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264062 -
Epidemiology and Infection Jan 2018Historical enquiry into diseases with morbidity or mortality predilections for particular demographic groups can permit clarification of their emergence, endemicity, and... (Review)
Review
Historical enquiry into diseases with morbidity or mortality predilections for particular demographic groups can permit clarification of their emergence, endemicity, and epidemicity. During community-wide outbreaks of hepatitis A in the pre-vaccine era, clinical attack rates were higher among juveniles rather than adults. In community-wide hepatitis E outbreaks, past and present, mortality rates have been most pronounced among pregnant women. Examination for these characteristic predilections in reports of jaundice outbreaks in the USA traces the emergence of hepatitis A and also of hepatitis E to the closing three decades of the 19th century. Thereafter, outbreaks of hepatitis A burgeoned, whereas those of hepatitis E abated. There were, in addition, community-wide outbreaks that bore features of neither hepatitis A nor E; they occurred before the 1870s. The American Civil War antedated that period. If hepatitis A had yet to establish endemicity, then it would not underlie the jaundice epidemic that was widespread during the war. Such an assessment may be revised, however, with the discovery of more extant outbreak reports.
Topics: Disease Outbreaks; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis E; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; Humans; Jaundice; Military Personnel; United States
PubMed: 29254514
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268817002837 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2020Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection occasionally leads to a critical condition in patients with or without chronic liver diseases. Acute-on-chronic liver disease includes... (Review)
Review
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection occasionally leads to a critical condition in patients with or without chronic liver diseases. Acute-on-chronic liver disease includes acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and non-ACLF. In this review, we searched the literature concerning the association between HAV infection and chronic liver diseases in PubMed. Chronic liver diseases, such as metabolic associated fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease, coinfection with other viruses, and host genetic factors may be associated with severe hepatitis A. It is important to understand these conditions and mechanisms. There may be no etiological correlation between liver failure and HAV infection, but there is an association between the level of chronic liver damage and the severity of acute-on-chronic liver disease. While the application of an HAV vaccination is important for preventing HAV infection, the development of antivirals against HAV may be important for preventing the development of ACLF with HAV infection as an acute insult. The latter is all the more urgent given that the lives of patients with HAV infection and a chronic liver disease of another etiology may be at immediate risk.
Topics: Animals; End Stage Liver Disease; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis A virus; Humans
PubMed: 32887515
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176384 -
Journal of Korean Medical Science Sep 2019Until 1995, the incidence of symptomatic acute hepatitis A was minimal and there were no cases of national outbreak in Korea. However, there was a nationwide outbreak of... (Review)
Review
Until 1995, the incidence of symptomatic acute hepatitis A was minimal and there were no cases of national outbreak in Korea. However, there was a nationwide outbreak of hepatitis A that peaked in 2009. In 2019, a total of 10,083 cases of acute hepatitis A were reported for seven months of the year according to the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This may be attributed to the proportion of susceptible subjects in the Korean population, as about 10 years have passed since herd immunity was induced by the epidemic occurring during the late 2000s. Recent studies have shown that the rate of seropositivity for anti-hepatitis A virus antibodies (anti-HAV) is the lowest in adults in their 20s and has not changed much over the past 10 years, and seropositivity of anti-HAV in adults in their 30s has continued to decline from 69.6% in 2005 to 32.4% in 2014. Most young adults who have not yet experienced hepatitis A and are not vaccinated are vulnerable to hepatitis A infection. This year's epidemic of hepatitis A is a predictable outcome for vulnerable populations. Therefore, effective acute hepatitis A control and prevention strategies are needed, particularly for those in their 20s and 30s.
Topics: Acute Disease; Cost of Illness; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis A Antibodies; Humans; Prevalence; Republic of Korea
PubMed: 31538417
DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2019.34.e230 -
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 -
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de... 2003Hepatitis A infection is known since the ancient Chinese, Greek and Roman civilizations but the first documented report was published in the eighteenth century. The... (Review)
Review
Hepatitis A infection is known since the ancient Chinese, Greek and Roman civilizations but the first documented report was published in the eighteenth century. The hepatovirus belongs to the Picornaviridae family, and carries a single strand RNA. There are 7 genotypes. Antibodies of the IgM and IgA classes, during natural infections, appear early in the serum, together with the first clinical manifestations of the disease, but they may also appear at the end of the first week of infection. There is a spectrum of clinical presentation: asymptomatic infection, symptomatic without jaundice and symptomatic jaundiced. A rare fatal form of hepatitis has been described. Diagnosis of the hepatitis A infection is confirmed by the finding of IgM anti-HAV antibodies, routinely performed using an ELISA test. Treatment is supportive. Intramuscular anti-A gamma globulin is used for passive immune prophylaxis, and there is an efficient vaccine for active immune prophylaxis.
Topics: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis A Antibodies; Hepatitis A Vaccines; Hepatitis A virus; Humans
PubMed: 12908041
DOI: 10.1590/s0037-86822003000300012 -
Clinics in Liver Disease Feb 2000Mankind probably has known viral hepatitis for many centuries; however, the major and most dramatic developments in our knowledge of these diseases have taken place... (Review)
Review
Mankind probably has known viral hepatitis for many centuries; however, the major and most dramatic developments in our knowledge of these diseases have taken place during the second half of the 20th century. During this relatively short period of time, the infectious nature of hepatitis A, B, and C has been proven, leading to their identification and description. The advent of serologic markers has provided the means for establishing the diagnosis. Epidemiologic studies have provided important information that led to exciting achievements in detection and prevention of transmission. Molecular biology studies and cell culture techniques have established our knowledge of the viral genomes, and led to the development of specific vaccines for hepatitis A and B. Anti-viral therapy has been developed and aggressive combination therapy has emerged as a promising strategy for chronic hepatitis B and C. This article reviews some of the main fields of progress and achievement related to viral hepatitis A, B, and C in the 20th century.
Topics: Communicable Disease Control; Female; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Humans; Incidence; Liver Transplantation; Male; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Survival Rate
PubMed: 11232191
DOI: 10.1016/s1089-3261(05)70096-9 -
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in... May 2019Disease outbreaks resembling hepatitis A have been known since antiquity. However, it was not until World War II when two forms of viral hepatitis were clearly... (Review)
Review
Disease outbreaks resembling hepatitis A have been known since antiquity. However, it was not until World War II when two forms of viral hepatitis were clearly differentiated. After the discovery of Australia antigen and its association with hepatitis B, similar methodologies were used to find the hepatitis A virus. The virus was ultimately identified when investigators changed the focus of their search from serum to feces and applied appropriate technology.
Topics: Animals; Feces; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis A virus; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans
PubMed: 29712682
DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a031740