Feature Papers of Hepatitis A, B, C and E Vaccines

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Hepatitis Virus Vaccines".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 5772

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Division of Veterinary Medicine, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany
2. European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), Jena, Germany
Interests: coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; variant of concern; vaccine evaluation; T Lymphocytes; HBV
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E are viral infections causing liver damage and, in severe cases, leading to liver failure. Hepatitis A and E are typically transmitted through contaminated water and food, whereas hepatitis B and C are mainly spread through blood-to-blood contact or sexual transmission. Hepatitis D virus is a satellite because it can only propagate in the presence of the hepatitis B virus.

Nowadays, vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B, and they are highly effective in preventing infection. The hepatitis A vaccine is advised for individuals traveling to areas with high prevalence of hepatitis A or who work in high-risk professions. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants, children, and adults who are at high risk of infection. There is no vaccine for hepatitis D, since prevention of hepatitis B with hepatitis B vaccine also protects against hepatitis D infection. For hepatitis C, there is no vaccine available, but new treatment options involving a combination of direct-acting antivirals have been developed that can cure the infection in most patients. Hepatitis E vaccine is available in China but not globally. The widespread use of vaccines is a crucial means of preventing hepatitis infections, and it can lead to a substantial reduction in the overall burden of these diseases.

As a Section Editorial Board Member of Hepatitis Virus Vaccines, I am pleased to announce the Special Issue titled "Feature Papers of Hepatitis A, B, C and E Vaccines". This Special Issue invites manuscripts related to the development of vaccines and immunotherapy treatments for hepatitis A, B, C, and E. We also encourage studies on vaccination attitudes, pathogenesis, animal models, clinical manifestations and disease associations. Manuscript submissions are welcome from both Editorial Board Members and outstanding scholars. Please send short proposals for submissions of Feature Papers to our Editorial Office for evaluation.

Dr. Bingqian Qu
Guest Editor

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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. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 715 KiB  
Article
Impact of the Universal Implementation of Adolescent Hepatitis B Vaccination in Spain
by Angela Domínguez, Ana Avellón, Victoria Hernando, Núria Soldevila, Eva Borràs, Ana Martínez, Conchita Izquierdo, Núria Torner, Carles Pericas, Cristina Rius and Pere Godoy
Vaccines 2024, 12(5), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12050488 - 1 May 2024
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of the introduction of universal adolescent HBV vaccination on the incidence of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. Acute HBV cases reported to the Spanish National Epidemiological Surveillance Network between 2005 and 2021 [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of the introduction of universal adolescent HBV vaccination on the incidence of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. Acute HBV cases reported to the Spanish National Epidemiological Surveillance Network between 2005 and 2021 were included. For regions starting adolescent vaccination in 1991–1993 and in 1994–1996, HBV incidence rates were compared by calculating the incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We also analysed the 2017 Spanish national seroprevalence survey data. The overall acute HBV incidence per 100,000 persons was 1.54 in 2005 and 0.64 in 2021 (p < 0.001). The incidence in 2014–2021 was lower for regions that started adolescent vaccination in 1991–1993 rather than in 1994–1996 (IRR 0.76; 95% CI 0.72–0.83; p < 0.001). In the 20–29 age group, incidence in regions that started adolescent vaccination in 1991–1993 was also lower (IRR 0.87; 95% CI 0.77–0.98; p = 0.02 in 2005–2013 and IRR 0.71; 95% CI 0.56–0·90; p < 0.001 in 2014–2021). Anti-HBc prevalence in the 35–39 age group was lower in the regions that started vaccination earlier, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). Acute HBV incidence decreased more in the young adult population in regions that began adolescent vaccination earlier. Maintaining high universal vaccination coverage in the first year of life and in at-risk groups is necessary to achieve HBV elimination by 2030. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Hepatitis A, B, C and E Vaccines)
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Review

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11 pages, 253 KiB  
Review
Progress and Challenges to Hepatitis E Vaccine Development and Deployment
by Xingcheng Huang, Jiaoxi Lu, Mengjun Liao, Yue Huang, Ting Wu and Ningshao Xia
Vaccines 2024, 12(7), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12070719 - 28 Jun 2024
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Abstract
Hepatitis E is a significant cause of acute hepatitis, contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates, and capable of causing large epidemics through fecal–oral transmission. Currently, no specific treatment for hepatitis E has been approved. Given the notably high mortality rate among HEV-infected [...] Read more.
Hepatitis E is a significant cause of acute hepatitis, contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates, and capable of causing large epidemics through fecal–oral transmission. Currently, no specific treatment for hepatitis E has been approved. Given the notably high mortality rate among HEV-infected pregnant women and individuals with underlying chronic liver disease, concerted efforts have been made to develop effective vaccines. The only licensed hepatitis E vaccine worldwide, the HEV 239 (Hecolin) vaccine, has been demonstrated to be safe and efficacious in Phase III clinical trials, in which the efficacy of three doses of HEV 239 remained at 86.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 73.0–94.1) at the end of 10 years follow-up. In this review, the progress and challenges for hepatitis E vaccines are summarized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Hepatitis A, B, C and E Vaccines)

Other

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9 pages, 664 KiB  
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Implementing Adult Hepatitis B Immunization and Screening Using Electronic Health Records: A Practical Guide
by H. Nina Kim, Kelly L. Moore, David L. Sanders, Michaela Jackson, Chari Cohen, Richard Andrews and Camilla S. Graham
Vaccines 2024, 12(5), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12050536 - 14 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2296
Abstract
Importance: Hepatitis B is a serious problem in the United States (US), with up to 2.4 million Americans living with a chronic infection. Only 26–32% of people living with hepatitis B in the US are diagnosed. Additionally, just 30% of all adults are [...] Read more.
Importance: Hepatitis B is a serious problem in the United States (US), with up to 2.4 million Americans living with a chronic infection. Only 26–32% of people living with hepatitis B in the US are diagnosed. Additionally, just 30% of all adults are vaccinated against the virus. In 2022, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated adult hepatitis B vaccination recommendations to include all adults aged 19–59 years and those 60 years and older with risk factors for hepatitis B. Subsequently, in 2023, the CDC recommended that all adults be screened at least one time in their lives. Observations: Electronic health record (EHR) tools (prompts, order sets, etc.) have proven to be an effective method of increasing hepatitis B screening and vaccination, but longstanding challenges and questions around hepatitis B vaccines and tests could prevent effectual EHR implementation. As the new recommendations directly impact providers who may have limited familiarity with hepatitis B, guidance on how to identify eligible patients and triggers, order sets to facilitate vaccine/test selection, and proper documentation and patient follow-up is necessary. Conclusions and Relevance: This communication offers a practical framework for health systems to build an effective EHR strategy for the updated adult hepatitis B recommendations. We also provide comprehensive responses to clinicians’ questions that are frequently asked prior to screening or vaccinating for hepatitis B. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Hepatitis A, B, C and E Vaccines)
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