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Life
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Epidemiology and Control of Hepatitis Viruses
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Epidemiology and Control of Hepatitis Viruses

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2024) | Viewed by 12779

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elitsa Golkocheva-Markova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
NRL Hepatitis Viruses, Virology Department, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1233 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: viral diagnostic technics; virus evolution; host pathogen interaction; molecular epidemiology
Dr. Lilia Milkova Ganova-Raeva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Assay Development Team Lead, Division of Viral Hepatitis, NCHHSTP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Interests: point-of-care viral diagnostics assays; virus evolution; high throughput and NGS data analysis; laboratory automation; molecular epidemiology; linkage to care

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

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. Although HAV and HEV are mainly transmitted by contaminated water and food, and HBV and HCV are transmitted by blood, all of them can share common transmission routes such as close contact with a case within a household, transfusion of contaminated blood, transplantation of infected allograft, vertical transmission from a pregnant woman to her child, sex with an infected person, and injection drug use. This is the reason for distinguishing high-risk groups and developing measures related to limiting the spread of the viruses. At the same time, for all hepatitis viruses, recombination events have been exhaustively described, which is the reason for changing epidemiology patterns, the occurrence of different zoonotic vectors, and the evolution of vaccine and immune escape mutants. Vaccines exist for HAV, HBV, and HEV, a very efficient treatment is in place for HCV, and a viral control treatment is available for HBV and HDV. To meet the goals set by the World Health Organization for the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030, it is essential that access to testing is vastly improved and novel diagnostic approaches are developed to facilitate and streamline linkage to care. This involves the development of inexpensive diagnostic tools that are administered at or near point-of-care settings. Another important part of the elimination and transmission control strategies is the improved understanding and identification of transmission networks in high-risk populations and communities and the opportunities this knowledge provides for efficient use of limited resources, by targeting parts of these networks that would have an optimal impact on the outcome.

This Special Issue, “Epidemiology and Control of Hepatitis Viruses”, calls for papers that address the following topics:

  • Global prevalence of the different viral hepatitis;
  • Routes of transmission and control opportunities;
  • Prevalence by risk groups;
  • Changing molecular epidemiology patterns;
  • Available screening tools and identified screening needs;
  • Gaps and missed opportunities in the surveillance, prevention and control.

Dr. Elitsa Golkocheva-Markova
Dr. Lilia Milkova Ganova-Raeva
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hepatitis A
  • hepatitis B
  • hepatitis C
  • hepatitis D
  • hepatitis E
  • prevalence
  • molecular epidemiology
  • reservoirs
  • key populations
  • vaccination
  • POC assays
  • hepatitis control strategies
  • transmission clusters
  • transmission network analysis

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 970 KiB  
Article
Detection of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Pork Sold in Saint-Louis, the North of Senegal
by Sophie Deli Tene, Abou Abdallah Malick Diouara, Alé Kane, Sarbanding Sané, Seynabou Coundoul, Fatou Thiam, Cheikh Momar Nguer, Mamadou Diop, Mame Ndew Mbaye, Malick Mbengue, Seynabou Lo, Halimatou Diop Ndiaye, Coumba Toure Kane and Ahidjo Ayouba
Life 2024, 14(4), 512; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14040512 - 16 Apr 2024
Viewed by 2590
Abstract
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen with various hosts, including pigs, which act as reservoirs. In industrialized countries, sporadic cases caused by genotype 3, contracted by ingesting contaminated uncooked or undercooked meat, have been reported. However, in developing countries, HEV [...] Read more.
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen with various hosts, including pigs, which act as reservoirs. In industrialized countries, sporadic cases caused by genotype 3, contracted by ingesting contaminated uncooked or undercooked meat, have been reported. However, in developing countries, HEV infection is mainly dominated by genotype 2 and often associated with poor hygiene conditions and drinking water supplies. HEV infection and its circulation in domestic fauna in West Africa are poorly documented. This study aimed to assess the presence of HEV in pork sold in Saint-Louis, Senegal. Meat products (250 g samples, n = 74) were purchased in August 2022 from three locations. Then, 2 g/sample was minced to extract total nucleic acids using the Purelink™ Viral DNA/RNA kit. RT-PCR reactions were performed using the One-Taq™ One-Step RT-PCR kit targeting the HEV ORF2 genomic region. The products obtained were visualized on a 1% agarose gel. Of a total of 74 samples, divided into pork meat (n = 65) and pork liver (n = 9), 5.4% (n = 4) tested positive for HEV. In both cases, two samples were positive, representing a rate of 3.1% and 22.2% for meat and pork liver, respectively. All new viral sequences were obtained from a monophyletic group within HEV genotype 3. This study is the first to report the presence of HEV in pork sold in Senegal and the results reveal a potential circulation of HEV in the pig population. The high proportion of contamination in the pork liver samples highlights a major risk associated with their consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Control of Hepatitis Viruses)
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15 pages, 1545 KiB  
Article
Hepatitis B in Pediatric Population: Observational Retrospective Study in Romania
by Daniela Păcurar, Alexandru Dinulescu, Gheorghiță Jugulete, Alexandru-Sorin Păsărică and Irina Dijmărescu
Life 2024, 14(3), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14030348 - 07 Mar 2024
Viewed by 763
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a frequent cause of chronic hepatitis worldwide, with an estimated 5.6 million children under 5 years being infected. In Romania, there are no available epidemiology reports on large cohorts in children. We aimed to assess the profile of [...] Read more.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a frequent cause of chronic hepatitis worldwide, with an estimated 5.6 million children under 5 years being infected. In Romania, there are no available epidemiology reports on large cohorts in children. We aimed to assess the profile of pediatric chronic HBV infection in southern Romania. We conducted an observational retrospective study on 506 HBV-infected children. Based on alaninaminotransferase (ALT), HBV serology and viremia, we identified four states of the disease. We correlated age, gender, household HBV infection, coinfection with other viruses and laboratory parameters. Most patients were in a positive HBV envelope antigen (HBeAg) immune-active state (65.4%). Age at diagnosis was significantly lower for those with household infection (p < 0.05). ALT values were not significantly different between positive or negative HBeAg patients in the immune-active state (p = 0.780). ALT values were higher in patients with hepatitis D virus (HDV)-associated infection (p < 0.001). Children with a household HBV infection had a high viraemia more frequently when compared to those with no infected relative (79.3% vs. 67.4%) (p < 0.001), but the ALT values were not significantly different (p = 0.21). Most of the patients are in an immune-active state (high ALT, high viremia). The percentages of HBV- and HDV-associated infections are high, but lower than the reported prevalence in Romania in the general population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Control of Hepatitis Viruses)
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15 pages, 13751 KiB  
Article
Age and Gender Trends in the Prevalence of Markers for Hepatitis E Virus Exposure in the Heterogeneous Bulgarian Population
by Elitsa Golkocheva-Markova, Chiydem Ismailova, Ani Kevorkyan, Ralitsa Raycheva, Sashka Zhelyazkova, Stanislav Kotsev, Maria Pishmisheva, Vanya Rangelova, Asya Stoyanova, Viliana Yoncheva, Tencho Tenev, Teodora Gladnishka, Iva Trifonova, Iva Christova, Roumen Dimitrov, Roberto Bruni and Anna Rita Ciccaglione
Life 2023, 13(6), 1345; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13061345 - 08 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1400
Abstract
The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the Bulgarian population remains underestimated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate age and gender trends in HEV prevalence in the heterogeneous Bulgarian population. Stored serum samples from blood donors and different patient [...] Read more.
The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the Bulgarian population remains underestimated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate age and gender trends in HEV prevalence in the heterogeneous Bulgarian population. Stored serum samples from blood donors and different patient sub-populations—kidney recipients (KR), patients with Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS), Lyme disease (LD), patients with liver involvement and a clinical diagnosis other than viral hepatitis A and E (non-AE), hemodialysis (HD) and HIV-positive patients (HIV)—were retrospectively investigated for markers of past and recent/ongoing HEV infection. The estimated overall seroprevalence of past infection was 10.6%, ranging from 5.9% to 24.5% for the sub-populations evaluated, while the seroprevalence of recent/ongoing HEV infection was 7.5%, ranging from 2.1% to 20.4%. The analysis of the individual sub-populations showed a different prevalence with respect to sex. In regard to age, the cohort effect was preserved, as a multimodal pattern was observed only for the GBS sub-population. Molecular analysis revealed HEV 3f and 3e. The type of the population is one of the main factors on which the anti-HEV prevalence depends, highlighting the need for the development of guidelines related to the detection and diagnosis of HEV infection with regard to specific patient populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Control of Hepatitis Viruses)
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10 pages, 495 KiB  
Article
Access to Hepatitis C Treatment during and after Incarceration in New Jersey, United States: A Qualitative Study
by Samir Kamat, Sankeerth Kondapalli, Shumayl Syed, Gabrielle Price, George Danias, Ksenia Gorbenko, Joel Cantor, Pamela Valera, Aakash K. Shah and Matthew J. Akiyama
Life 2023, 13(4), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13041033 - 17 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2170
Abstract
Despite effective antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV), people who are incarcerated and those returning to the community face challenges in obtaining HCV treatment. We aimed to explore facilitators and barriers to HCV treatment during and after incarceration. From July–November 2020 and [...] Read more.
Despite effective antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV), people who are incarcerated and those returning to the community face challenges in obtaining HCV treatment. We aimed to explore facilitators and barriers to HCV treatment during and after incarceration. From July–November 2020 and June–July 2021, we conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with residents who were formerly incarcerated in jail or prison. The interviews were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. We used descriptive statistics to characterize the study sample and analyzed qualitative data thematically using an iterative process. Participants included five women and 22 men who self-identified as White (n = 14), Latinx (n = 8), and Black (n = 5). During incarceration, a key facilitator was having sufficient time to complete HCV treatment, and the corresponding barrier was delaying treatment initiation. After incarceration, a key facilitator was connecting with reentry programs (e.g., halfway house or rehabilitation program) that coordinated the treatment logistics and provided support with culturally sensitive staff. Barriers included a lack of insurance coverage and higher-ranking priorities (e.g., managing more immediate reentry challenges such as other comorbidities, employment, housing, and legal issues), low perceived risk of harm related to HCV, and active substance use. Incarceration and reentry pose distinct facilitators and challenges to accessing HCV treatment. These findings signal the need for interventions to improve engagement in HCV care both during and after incarceration to assist in closing the gap of untreated people living with HCV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Control of Hepatitis Viruses)
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Review

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14 pages, 610 KiB  
Review
Cell Culture Systems for Studying Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D Virus Infections
by Grace Sanghee Lee, Michael A. Purdy and Youkyung Choi
Life 2023, 13(7), 1527; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13071527 - 08 Jul 2023
Viewed by 3015
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections cause liver disease, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV infection remains a major global health problem. In 2019, 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B and about 5% [...] Read more.
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections cause liver disease, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV infection remains a major global health problem. In 2019, 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B and about 5% of them were co-infected with HDV. In vitro cell culture systems are instrumental in the development of therapeutic targets. Cell culture systems contribute to identifying molecular mechanisms for HBV and HDV propagation, finding drug targets for antiviral therapies, and testing antiviral agents. Current HBV therapeutics, such as nucleoside analogs, effectively suppress viral replication but are not curative. Additionally, no effective treatment for HDV infection is currently available. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop therapies to treat both viral infections. A robust in vitro cell culture system supporting HBV and HDV infections (HBV/HDV) is a critical prerequisite to studying HBV/HDV pathogenesis, the complete life cycle of HBV/HDV infections, and consequently identifying new therapeutics. However, the lack of an efficient cell culture system hampers the development of novel antiviral strategies for HBV/HDV infections. In vitro cell culture models have evolved with significant improvements over several decades. Recently, the development of the HepG2-NTCP sec+ cell line, expressing the sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide receptor (NTCP) and self-assembling co-cultured primary human hepatocytes (SACC-PHHs) has opened new perspectives for a better understanding of HBV and HDV lifecycles and the development of specific antiviral drug targets against HBV/HDV infections. We address various cell culture systems along with different cell lines and how these cell culture systems can be used to provide better tools for HBV and HDV studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Control of Hepatitis Viruses)
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17 pages, 1199 KiB  
Review
Epidemiology Pattern, Prevalent Genotype Distribution, Fighting Stigma and Control Options for Hepatitis D in Bulgaria and Other European Countries
by Denitsa Todorova Tsaneva-Damyanova and Lora Hristova Georgieva
Life 2023, 13(5), 1115; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13051115 - 30 Apr 2023
Viewed by 2089
Abstract
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a satellite virus that causes the most aggressive form of all viral hepatitis in individuals already infected with HBV (hepatitis B virus). In recent years, there has been a negative trend towards an increase in the prevalence of [...] Read more.
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a satellite virus that causes the most aggressive form of all viral hepatitis in individuals already infected with HBV (hepatitis B virus). In recent years, there has been a negative trend towards an increase in the prevalence of chronic hepatitis D in Europe, especially among immigrant populations coming from regions endemic for the virus. The aim of this review is to analyse the current epidemiology of chronic HDV, routes of transmission, prevalent genotype, its management, prevention, fighting stigma and options for viral control in European countries, such as Bulgaria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Control of Hepatitis Viruses)
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