Hepatitis Viral Infections, Pathogenesis and Therapeutics

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Virology and Viral Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 February 2025 | Viewed by 1562

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
Interests: pathogenesis of retrovirus

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The understanding and treatment of hepatitis virus infections are rapidly advancing, fostering great optimism. Our Special Issue will address various aspects of hepatitis virus infections, including the following:

  • Epidemiology and transmission: Studies on the spread, control, risk factors, and prevention of HBV, HCV, HDV, HAV, and HEV.
  • Molecular and cellular biology: Research on viral life cycles, host–virus interactions, and pathogenesis mechanisms.
  • Immunology: Insights into immune responses, including innate and adaptive immunity, immune evasion, and vaccine development.
  • Clinical studies: Investigations into clinical features, disease progression, diagnosis, and management of hepatitis virus infections.
  • Therapeutics and vaccines: Development and evaluation of antiviral therapies, novel treatments, and preventive vaccines.
  • Liver disease and complications: Studies on the progression to cirrhosis, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
  • Public health and policy: Analyses of public health strategies, policy implications, and global health perspectives. 

We invite researchers and clinicians to submit original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and short communications.

Prof. Dr. Fan Zhu
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • hepatitis A virus (HAV)
  • hepatitis B virus (HBV)
  • hepatitis C virus (HCV)
  • hepatitis D virus (HDV)
  • hepatitis E virus (HEV)
  • chronic liver disease
  • chronic hepatitis
  • liver cirrhosis
  • hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
  • liver cancer
  • antiviral therapy

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

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18 pages, 1481 KiB  
Review
Hepatitis B Viral Protein HBx: Roles in Viral Replication and Hepatocarcinogenesis
by Dong Li, Yassir Hamadalnil and Thomas Tu
Viruses 2024, 16(9), 1361; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16091361 - 26 Aug 2024
Viewed by 999
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major public health concern worldwide, with approximately 296 million individuals chronically infected. The HBV-encoded X protein (HBx) is a regulatory protein of 17 kDa, reportedly responsible for a broad range of functions, including viral replication and [...] Read more.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major public health concern worldwide, with approximately 296 million individuals chronically infected. The HBV-encoded X protein (HBx) is a regulatory protein of 17 kDa, reportedly responsible for a broad range of functions, including viral replication and oncogenic processes. In this review, we summarize the state of knowledge on the mechanisms underlying HBx functions in viral replication, the antiviral effect of therapeutics directed against HBx, and the role of HBx in liver cancer development (including a hypothetical model of hepatocarcinogenesis). We conclude by highlighting major unanswered questions in the field and the implications of their answers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis Viral Infections, Pathogenesis and Therapeutics)
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7 pages, 631 KiB  
Brief Report
Hazardous Alcohol Use and Its Effect on Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy Initiation among People with Active Injection Drug Use and Current Hepatitis C Infection
by Hamidreza Karimi-Sari, Gregory M. Lucas, Katie Zook, Brian Weir, Miles Landry, Susan G. Sherman, Kathleen R. Page and Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia
Viruses 2024, 16(9), 1416; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16091416 - 5 Sep 2024
Viewed by 364
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and hazardous alcohol use are both preventable causes of morbidity and mortality among people who inject drugs (PWID). In the general population, hazardous alcohol is associated with a reduced likelihood of HCV treatment initiation. Less is known [...] Read more.
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and hazardous alcohol use are both preventable causes of morbidity and mortality among people who inject drugs (PWID). In the general population, hazardous alcohol is associated with a reduced likelihood of HCV treatment initiation. Less is known about the prevalence and impact of hazardous alcohol use on direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy initiation among PWID with active injection drug use. Methods: PWID were recruited via street outreach in Baltimore, Maryland, between 2018 and 2019 and were enrolled in a study cohort. Participants completed a study survey and underwent HCV testing. Self-reported DAA therapy initiation was evaluated at follow-up visits every six months. Hazardous alcohol use was determined based on an AUDIT-C score of ≥4 for men or ≥3 for women. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations. Results: Of the 720 PWID recruited, 291 had detectable HCV RNA, and only 134 were aware of their HCV infection. The mean (±standard deviation) age of those that were aware of their infection was 48.7 (±10.3) years, with a slight majority (53.0%) being male and predominantly African American (64.9%). The majority (80/134, 59.7%) met criteria for hazardous alcohol use. Only 16 (11.9%) PWID reported DAA therapy initiation within six months, and 20 (14.9%) reported it within 12 months of follow-up. Hazardous alcohol use (aOR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.43–3.53) was not associated with DAA treatment initiation. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of hazardous alcohol use, low rates of oral DAA therapy initiation, and no association between self-reported hazardous alcohol use and initiation of oral DAA therapy in our sample of PWID that were aware of their chronic HCV infection. Strategies to increase HCV treatment uptake in PWID with active drug use are urgently needed and should integrate alcohol and drug use evaluation and care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hepatitis Viral Infections, Pathogenesis and Therapeutics)
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