Hepatitis D in Children

Epidemiology, presentation, and therapeutic approaches for hepatitis D infections

INTRODUCTION

Chronic Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection remains an important global public health problem, with a changing epidemiological landscape over the past decade along with widespread implementation of hepatitis B vaccination and human migration. The landscape of HDV treatments has been changing, with therapies that have been under development for the last decade now in late stage clinical trials. The anticipated availability of these new therapies will hopefully replace the current therapies which are minimally effective.

AREAS COVERED

This narrative review discusses the clinical course, screening and diagnosis, transmission risk factors, epidemiology, current and investigational therapies, and liver transplantation in HDV. Literature review was performed using PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov and includes relevant articles from 1977 to 2022.

EXPERT OPINION

HDV infection is an important global public health issue with a true prevalence that is still unknown. The distribution of HDV infection has changed globally with the availability of HBV vaccination and patterns of human migration. As HDV infection is associated with accelerated disease courses and poor outcomes, the global community needs to agree upon a uniform HDV screening strategy to understand the truth of global prevalence such that new therapies can target appropriate individuals as they become available in the future.

Pediatric Acute Liver Failure: A Clinicopathological Perspective

Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a life-threatening disorder characterized by acute hepatocellular injury occurring in children without recognized underlying liver disease. The clinicopathologic evaluation of PALF requires a different approach from that in adults. The diagnostic considerations differ depending on the age, personal and family history, geographical region, and clinical presentation. Distinct entities such as gestational alloimmune liver disease, herpes simplex virus infection, and metabolic disorders should be considered in neonates with acute liver failure, while acetaminophen toxicity and autoimmune hepatitis are more frequently seen in older children and adolescents. An identified cause for PALF despite a negative complete evaluation (indeterminate) is lacking in 30 to 50% of cases. Although not routinely performed in the setting of PALF, liver biopsy may be helpful in assessing the etiology, potential mechanisms of injury, determining the appropriateness of liver transplantation, and prognostication of the patients. In this article, we review the clinicopathologic characteristics of PALF with an emphasis on general approach of pathologic evaluation and histopathologic characteristic of selected entities.

Prevalence of hepatitis D virus among HBsAg-positive individuals, 2015-2016: Azar cohort study

Background: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective RNA pathogen that requires the presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for infection. Middle East countries are endemic areas for HDV infection. So, it is important to estimate the prevalence of HDV in these countries. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HDV in HBsAg positive patients participated in Azar cohort study, North-west of Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, out of 4949 participants of the Azar cohort study, 51 HBsAg positive patients were selected. Five participants did not consent to HDV testing. The presence of anti-HDV IgG was checked in 46 patients (13 chronic hepatitis B and 33 inactive chronic hepatitis B) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The serum level of liver enzymes was measured and a questionnaire about risk factors was completed. Results: In this study, the mean age of HBsAg positive patients was 50.06 (SD 9.14) years and 41.3% were female. Only one out of 46 patients was positive for HDV infection. Thus, the prevalence of HDV infection among hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) positive patients was 2.17% (95% CI: 0.1-11.5). The positive anti-HDV patient was in the inactive chronic hepatitis B state and she had a history of hospitalization and dental procedures. Conclusion: The results showed that the prevalence of HDV infection in HBsAg positive patients was 2.1% that was lower than the reported prevalence in many other regions of Iran. Health policymakers and healthcare providers should design coherent and orderly epidemiological studies for planning and monitoring HDV infection.

Updates in the management of hepatitis B in children

Introduction: Universal infant hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination program has reduced HBV infection dramatically in vaccinated young generations. Management of chronically infected children is still challenging concerning high viral load with mostly mild diseases, yet with a nonnegligible proportion of advanced diseases, and long-term effect of antivirals. However, with more potent antivirals approved for pediatric patients, to start antivirals earlier in eligible patients may benefit their outcomes. This review aimed to update the current management of chronic hepatitis B in children.Areas covered: This review covered the natural history of chronic HBV infection, management of chronic hepatitis B in children from the past to the present, current consensus on the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children, controversies in cessation of oral antivirals, and management of special populations such as pregnancy and co-infections.Expert opinions: Without contraindication, peginterferon is recommended for immune-active children ≥ 3 years old. For those intolerant, decompensating or preferring oral therapy, first-line Nucleos(t)ide analogs (NUC), Entecavir or Tenofovir, may be applied. For immune-tolerant or inactive carriers, close monitoring is crucial. When to stop NUCs and novel therapies for HBV cure await further research.

Management of Hepatitis B Virus Infection: 2018 Guidelines from the Canadian Association for the Study of Liver Disease and Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important public health problem in Canada. In keeping with evolving evidence and understanding of HBV pathogenesis, the Canadian Association for the Study of Liver Disease periodically publishes HBV management guidelines. The goals of the 2018 guidelines are to (1) highlight the public health impact of HBV infection in Canada and the need to improve diagnosis and linkage to care, (2) recommend current best-practice guidelines for treatment of HBV, (3) summarize the key HBV laboratory diagnostic tests, and (4) review evidence on HBV management in special patient populations and include more detail on management of HBV in pediatric populations. An overview of novel HBV tests and therapies for HBV in development is provided to highlight the recent advances in HBV clinical research. The aim and scope of these guidelines are to serve as an up-to-date, comprehensive resource for Canadian health care providers in the management of HBV infection.

Screening for hepatitis D and PEG-Interferon over Tenofovir enhance general hepatitis control efforts in Brazil

Background

Hepatitis D virus (HDV), which requires the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), is a deadly yet neglected disease that rapidly leads to liver cancer and disease-induced mortality. This co-dependence creates complex transmission dynamics that make it difficult to predict the efficacy of interventions aimed at HBV and/or HDV control in endemic regions, such as certain municipalities of Brazil, where up to 65% of HBV-infected persons are co-infected.

Methodology

We created a mathematical model that captures the joint transmission dynamics of HBV and HDV, incorporating mother-to-child, sexual and household transmission. With an aim to minimize the number of total infections and disease-induced mortality in 2027, we then determined optimal strategies for Brazil and its sub-regions under a constrained budget, which was dynamically allocated among HBV and HDV screening, HBV and HDV treatment, HBV newborn and adult vaccination, and awareness programs. Three treatment options were considered, namely: Tenofovir, PEGylated-Interferon, and nucleic acid polymers (NAP).

Results

The additional cost of HDV screening and the use of a more expensive PEGylated-Interferon are offset by not wasting resources on treating co-infected persons with Tenofovir. The introductory price of NAP treatment must be less than $16,000 per course to become competitive with Tenofovir and PEGylated-Interferon in Brazil.

Conclusion

Additional screening for HDV is beneficial, even in a low HBV and HDV endemic regions of Brazil. We recommend PEGylated-Interferon, wherever possible, for both HBV and HDV. If PEGylated-Interferon is not available in abundance, PEGylated-Interferon for co-infections and 4-year Tenofovir treatment for mono-infections is recommended.

Viral Hepatitis in Children: A Through E

Hepatitis is defined as inflammation of the liver. This inflammation can be acute and self-limited, chronic (leading to cirrhosis and an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma), or fulminant (requiring lifesaving liver transplantation). Although there are many causes of hepatitis, this article focuses on the main childhood viral hepatidities: types A, B, C, D, and E. This review discusses the main characteristics of each virus, including salient epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. [Pediatr Ann. 2016;45(12):e420-e426.].