Prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity during pregnancy and evaluation of vaccination programs: A multicenter study in Turkey

OBJECTIVE

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global public health problem. Among its modes of transmission, vertical transmission from mother to child during pregnancy is exceedingly important. This study investigated seropositivity for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among pregnant women aged 16-49 years and their pregnancy outcomes in several health institutions (university and state hospitals, family health centers) from seven cities in Turkey.

METHODS

An Excel form was sent to the sites participating in the study, and the total number of pregnant women who were tested for HBsAg between 2010 and 2017, HBsAg positivity rates, and the ages of HBsAg-positive pregnant women was collected retrospectively. Serum samples were obtained from 204,865 pregnant women from four regions between 2010 and 2017, including 107,463 from Black Sea, 2306 from Marmara, 48,339 from East Anatolia, and 46,757 from Aegean. HBsAg levels were determined on automated devices using chemiluminescence.

RESULTS

In the study, the data of 204,865 pregnant women from seven different provinces (Afyonkarahisar, Erzurum, Istanbul, Izmir, Manisa, Mus, and Rize) in different geographical regions were accessed, and HBsAg positivity was found in 2343 pregnant women (1.14%). The highest HBsAg seroprevalence was found in women who were older 26-40 years/1977-1991 birth year range on average. In the data of the present study, the number of pregnant women with HBsAg positivity among pregnant women born after the initiation of the national vaccination program and catch-up vaccination program is only 124 and constitutes 5.3% of all HBsAg-positive pregnant women.

CONCLUSION

In this study, it has been found that HBsAg positivity in pregnant women has been decreasing in Turkey and that it is significantly lower, especially in those born after the initiation of the national vaccination program. Continuation of national neonatal HBV vaccination with high compliance is very important.

Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody positivity among women of childbearing age after three decades of universal vaccination in South Korea

OBJECTIVES

We estimated the impact of universal hepatitis B immunization using 18-year data of women who are of childbearing age in South Korea.

METHODS

We used hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) data of 145,993 women aged 20-49 years during 2001-2018 at the Gangnam CHA Medical Center. Annual prevalences of HBsAg and anti-HBs positivity were calculated and tested for linear trend. We conducted age-period-cohort (APC) analysis to obtain period and cohort effect.

RESULTS

Overall proportion of HBsAg positivity was 3.5% (n = 5050) and anti-HBs positivity was 75.3% (n = 109,907) during the study period. HBsAg positivity percentage decreased from 5.1% in 2001 to 2.5% in 2018 (P < 0.001) while anti-HBs positivity increased from 59.9% to 75.8% (P = 0.002). Average annual percent change of HBsAg positivity was -5.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): -6.9%, -4.8%). The period and cohort RR curve identified a consistent decrease in HBsAg positivity over time and across generations.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a concurrent decrease in HBsAg and an increase in anti-HBs seropositivity among Korean women of childbearing age, implicating success in preventing vertical transmission.

Are men who have sex with men in Europe protected from hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for men who have sex with men (MSM) in many countries, but information on vaccine coverage is scarce. We studied hepatitis B vaccination programmes and coverage among MSM in Europe to guide prevention. From a large (N = 174 209) pan-European MSM survey (EMIS-2010), we used data on self-reported hepatitis B vaccination, age, education, settlement size and disclosure of the same-sex sexual orientation ('outness'). We excluded participants with a history of hepatitis B. In multilevel (participants, countries) logistic regression models, we calculated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). We analysed data of 163 987 MSM in 38 European countries: 38.3% were 'out' to all or almost all, 56.4% reported vaccination against hepatitis B and 65.5% lived in countries with free recommended hepatitis B vaccination for MSM. In the final model the odds for being vaccinated increased with outness ('out to all or almost all': aOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.70-1.83 vs. 'out to no one') and with living in countries, where hepatitis B vaccination was recommended and free-of-charge for MSM (aOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.47-3.32 vs. 'no or unclear recommendation'). To increase hepatitis B vaccination coverage among MSM, implementation of MSM-specific recommendations and improvement of the societal climate for MSM is needed.

Hepatitis B virus prevalence and risk factors in hard-to-reach Turkish population living in Belgium: A protocol for screening

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important public health problem in the Turkish population, that is, one of the largest migrant populations in Europe. With the introduction of cost-effective antiviral treatments in the past decade, there is a need to identify HBV-infected patients who may benefit from treatment. This study describes the design of a study to assess the HBV prevalence in the Turkish population living in Belgium. Additionally, we will determine the risk factors of HBV infection and the uptake of screening, vaccination, and antiviral treatment in this hard-to-reach Turkish population.

METHODS

A longitudinal, epidemiological study will be conducted in the region Middle Limburg Belgium, where the Turkish adult population, 18 years of age and older, will be screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs), and antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Educational meetings concerning viral hepatitis B will be organized and there will be 3 ways to be screened for HBV: immediately after the educational meetings, at the Outpatient Hepatology Department of Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, and at home visits. Subsequently, participants will be asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic factors, migration history, risk factors for HBV infection (e.g., sharing toothbrushes, HBV-infected family member), and HBV vaccination status. Six months after screening, HBsAg-positive patients will be assessed whether they are under follow-up at the general practitioner or hepatologist. We will also gather information regarding the uptake of vaccination in nonimmunized subjects.

DISCUSSION

This study will provide information about the HBV prevalence and distribution of the stages of liver disease in the Turkish population in Belgium. By determining the risk factors for HBV infection, subgroups with an increased prevalence of HBV infection can be identified.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

This clinical trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03396458).

Efficacy of tenofovir and entecavir in patients who relapsed after pegylated interferon therapy

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections and sequelae present significant health problems worldwide. Two groups of medications are available for chronic HBV infection treatment: (1) interferons (IFNs) and (2) nucleos(t)ide analogues. This study aimed to evaluate entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) efficacies in chronic HBV patients, who achieved virological response during Peg-IFN treatment but did not sustain this response and relapsed a year after treatment end. In this study, 74 patients with chronic HBV infection who had virological responses to 180 μg/week Peg-IFNα-2a treatment were included; 38 (20 and 18 HBeAg positive and negative, respectively) of these patients were treated with 245 mg/day TDF, and 36 (20 and 16 HBeAg positive and negative, respectively) were treated with 0.5 mg/day ETV upon relapse after initial treatment discontinuation. In HBeAg-positive patients biochemical response rates were higher for TDF at weeks 96 and 144 (p = 0.044 and 0.019, respectively). However, biochemical response rates were similar for TDF and ETV in HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative groups at other weeks (p > 0.05). Virological and serological response rates were similar in patients treated with TDF and ETV in HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative groups (p > 0.05).

Antithrombin as a marker of severe acute hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Acute hepatitis B (AHB) can run a severe course, which sometimes leads to a fulminant disease with acute liver failure (ALF). Pro-coagulation factors are well-established markers of AHB severity, but less is known about the levels of anti-coagulation parameters in AHB.

METHODS

In this study, we demonstrate that antithrombin (AT) plasma levels were associated with AHB severity in 161 patients.

RESULTS

Nine (6%) patients had severe AHB (i.e. international normalized ratio [INR] ≥ 1.6 and total bilirubin ≥ 10 mg/dL). Coagulopathy (i.e. INR > 1.2 and/or AT < 80%) was observed in 65 (40%) AHB patients on admission. Low initial plasma AT levels (i.e. < 80%) were observed in 56 (35%) patients. In all, plasma AT levels decreased in 91 (57%) patients during their hospital stay. Both baseline and nadir AT levels were significantly lower in severe than in mild and moderate AHB. Moreover, the concentration of AT negatively correlated with INR, aspartate aminotransferase, and total and conjugated bilirubin levels. Interestingly, nadir AT levels positively correlated with the duration of hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that plasma AT levels can be used as an additional marker of AHB severity.

Impact of hepatitis B vaccination on acute hepatitis B epidemiology in European Union/European Economic Area countries, 2006 to 2014

Hepatitis B prevention in European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries relies on vaccination programmes. We describe the epidemiology of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) at country and EU/EEA level during 2006–2014. Using a multi-level mixed-effects Poisson regression model we assessed differences in the acute HBV infection notification rates between groups of countries that started universal HBV vaccination before/in vs after 1995; implemented or not a catch-up strategy; reached a vaccine coverage ≥ 95% vs < 95% and had a hepatitis B surface antigen prevalence ≥ 1% vs < 1%. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess trends by groups of countries, and additional Poisson regression models to evaluate the association between three-dose HBV vaccine coverage and acute HBV infection notification rates at country and EU/EEA level. The EU/EEA acute HBV infection notification rate decreased from 1.6 per 100,000 population in 2006 to 0.7 in 2014. No differences (p > 0.05) were found in the acute HBV infection notification rates between groups of countries, while as vaccine coverage increased, such rates decreased (p < 0.01). Countries with universal HBV vaccination before 1995, a catch-up strategy, and a vaccine coverage ≥ 95% had significant decreasing trends (p < 0.01). Ending HBV transmission in Europe by 2030 will require high vaccine coverage delivered through universal programmes, supported, where appropriate, by catch-up vaccination campaigns.

Hepatitis B and C rates are significantly increased in certain solid tumors: A large retrospective study

Objective

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality among cancer patients who received cytotoxic chemotherapy. The aim of current study was to elucidate the prevalence of HBV and HCV among large population of solid cancers and lymphoma and to compare them with large number of control group.

Patients and Methods

Between 2000 and 2014, 8322 cancer patients who were admitted to Oncology Departments were evaluated retrospectively and 3890 patients in whom hepatitis serology were available were included in this study. Their results were compared with control group that consisted of 96,000 subjects.

Results

In control groups, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity rate was 3.3% and anti-HCV positivity rate was 0.84%. In cancer patients, HBsAg positivity rate was 3.65% and anti-HCV positivity rate was 1.2%. Neither HBsAg positivity rate nor anti-HCV positivity rate was statistically significant between groups (P = 0.12 and P = 0.09, respectively). HBsAg positivity rates of head and neck cancer (5.88%; P = 0.02), rectum (5.6%; P = 0.025), and gastric and esophagus cancer (5.88%; P = 0.025) were significantly higher than control groups. Anti-HCV positivity rate (2.5%; P = 0.0016) was significantly higher in lung cancer when compared with control group.

Conclusion

The current study elucidated the prevalence of HBV and HCV among large population of solid cancers and lymphoma and we showed that hepatitis B and C positivity rates are significantly increased in certain solid tumors. Our findings should also be clarified with large prospective studies.

Infectious disease testing of UK-bound refugees: a population-based, cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The UK, like a number of other countries, has a refugee resettlement programme. External factors, such as higher prevalence of infectious diseases in the country of origin and circumstances of travel, are likely to increase the infectious disease risk of refugees, but published data is scarce. The International Organization for Migration carries out and collates data on standardised pre-entry health assessments (HA), including testing for infectious diseases, on all UK refugee applicants as part of the resettlement programme. From this data, we report the yield of selected infectious diseases (tuberculosis (TB), HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C) and key risk factors with the aim of informing public health policy.

METHODS

We examined a large cohort of refugees (n = 18,418) who underwent a comprehensive pre-entry HA between March 2013 and August 2017. We calculated yields of infectious diseases stratified by nationality and compared these with published (mostly WHO) estimates. We assessed factors associated with case positivity in univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The number of refugees included in the analysis varied by disease (range 8506-9759). Overall yields were notably high for hepatitis B (188 cases; 2.04%, 95% CI 1.77-2.35%), while yields were below 1% for active TB (9 cases; 92 per 100,000, 48-177), HIV (31 cases; 0.4%, 0.3-0.5%), syphilis (23 cases; 0.24%, 0.15-0.36%) and hepatitis C (38 cases; 0.41%, 0.30-0.57%), and varied widely by nationality. In multivariable analysis, sub-Saharan African nationality was a risk factor for several infections (HIV: OR 51.72, 20.67-129.39; syphilis: OR 4.24, 1.21-24.82; hepatitis B: OR 4.37, 2.91-6.41). Hepatitis B (OR 2.23, 1.05-4.76) and hepatitis C (OR 5.19, 1.70-15.88) were associated with history of blood transfusion. Syphilis (OR 3.27, 1.07-9.95) was associated with history of torture, whereas HIV (OR 1521.54, 342.76-6754.23) and hepatitis B (OR 7.65, 2.33-25.18) were associated with sexually transmitted infection. Syphilis was associated with HIV (OR 10.27, 1.30-81.40).

CONCLUSIONS

Testing refugees in an overseas setting through a systematic HA identified patients with a range of infectious diseases. Our results reflect similar patterns found in other programmes and indicate that the yields for infectious diseases vary by region and nationality. This information may help in designing a more targeted approach to testing, which has already started in the UK programme. Further work is needed to refine how best to identify infections in refugees, taking these factors into account.

Antibody response to hepatitis B vaccine is independently associated with hepatitis B breakthrough infection among adults: Results from a three-year follow-up study in China

Hepatitis B breakthrough infection (HBBI) and its risk factors are rarely reported among adults in China. In 2009-2010 in three townships of China, hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) administration and anti-HBs detection after HepB were conducted among the residents aged 18-59 years. HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were detected for these vaccinees in 2013. A total of 252 out of 4701 vaccinees turned to be positive for anti-HBc in 2013, but nobody was positive for HBsAg. The HBBI rate was 5.36% (95% CI 4.73, 6.04). The highest rate was found in age-group of 18-29 years (7.33%, 95% CI: 5.31, 9.82). The rate was significantly different by the residential townships (P < 0.001) and by the antibody response to HepB (P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that anti-HBs response to HepB was the independent risk factor of HBBI. The study documents the association between hyporesponse to HepB and HBBI among adults. It also suggests more attention should be given to new HBV infection among young adults.

Significant reduction in notification and seroprevalence rates of hepatitis B virus infection among the population of Zhejiang Province, China, aged between 1 and 29years from 2006 to 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The Chinese government integrated hepatitis B vaccination into the national immunization program in 1992, when the hepatitis B birth dose was introduced in China. Zhejiang province is a relatively developed area in eastern China and was an area with high endemicity for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection via mother-to-child transmission. The hepatitis B vaccine vaccination rates for the birth dose and 3- dose schedule in Zhejiang Province since 1992 have both remained above 90% [1]. The results of two hepatitis B seroepidemiological surveys conducted in 2006 and 2014, respectively, to evaluate the rates of notification and seroprevalence of HBV infection among the population of Zhejiang Province, China, aged between 1 and 29years.

METHODS

Data on the notification rates of HBV infection in Zhejiang province from 2006 to 2014 were obtained from the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS). The prevalence rate of HBV serological markers and the rate of immunization coverage were compared between surveys.

RESULTS

The reported notification rates in people aged between 1 and 29years according to the NNDRS decreased approximately 4.88 times from 2006 to 2014. The prevalence of HBsAg decreased from 2.16% in 2006 to 1.05% in 2014, while the prevalence of anti-HBc decreased from 7.13% to 5.49%. The anti-HBc seroprevalence in the 15-29-year-old age group was significantly higher than that in all the other age groups both in the 2006 and 2014 serosurveys. The rate of anti-HBs seroprevalence in those aged between 1 and 14years was maintained at a high level between 2006 and 2014.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of hepatitis B reported and the rate of HBsAg positivity decreased significantly in Zhejiang province by maintaining the high-level coverage rate of the hepatitis B timely birth dose and three-dose schedule. While additional efforts are needed to achieve the goal of elimination.

Hepatitis C infection and other drug-related harms among inpatients who injected drugs in Turkey

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is easily spread among those who share drug injection equipment. Due to the ease of contraction and growing prevalence of HCV in Eastern Europe, the aims of this study focused on describing risky injection practices as well as the prevalence of HCV, HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) who were admitted to public and private drug treatment centres in Turkey from 2012 to 2013. Other aims included identifying correlates of needle sharing and HCV infection. Of the 4694 inpatients who ever injected drugs and the 3914 who injected in the past 30 days, nearly all (98%) reported heroin as their drug of choice, the vast majority reported ever sharing a needle (73.4% and 79.3%), and the mean age at first injection was 23 years. Of current PWID, 51.9% were HCV-positive, 5.9% were HBV-positive and only 0.34% of lifetime PWID were HIV-positive. Predictors of increased needle sharing include younger age, being unemployed, having lesser education and reporting heroin as a drug of choice. Significant predictors of HCV infection included being 40 years or older, receiving treatment in the Mediterranean region of Turkey, reporting heroin as a primary substance, a longer duration of drug use and sharing needles. With this information, it is essential to improve access to clean injection equipment in Turkey, to focus on improving education on clean injection practices and to enhance efforts in testing and treating HCV-positive PWID.

Epidemiological Profile of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Iran in the Past 25 years; A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of General Population Studies

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most important health problems worldwide with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. It is a major risk factor for cirrhosis and liver cancer. Currently, Iran is located in the intermediate HBV zone; however, recent studies have provided some evidence indicating an epidemiological change in the country. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HBV in Iran.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the studies performed in the past 25 years that have reported the prevalence of HBV infection and its associated factors in the Iranian general population (1990-2014). Any study assessing and reporting serum Hbs Ag levels was included in this review.

RESULTS

After excluding all impertinent studies, 19 eligible studies were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of HBV was 3% (95% CI 2% to 3%). Its distribution showed that the prevalence of HBV varies in different provinces from 0.87% to 8.86%. The HBV rate was highest in the Golestan (8.86%) and lowest in the Kurdistan (0.87%) provinces.

CONCLUSION

This study provides some evidence about the prevalence of HBV in Iran. However, the collected data was very heterogenic, even within a single province, which made it hard to estimate a single-point prevalence. High quality studies are needed to find reliable information about HBV prevalence and to decrease the heterogeneity of results in the country.

Changing 14-year trends in the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in rural and urban Central-Eastern European areas

In Poland, the prevalence of HBV infection constitutes an emerging public health concern. The aim of the study was to analyse changes in hepatitis B incidence rate by age, gender and place of residence in Poland between 1999 and 2012. The data were obtained from Polish state statistics institutions such as the National Institute of Public Health and State Sanitary Inspection. Relationships of hepatitis B incidence with age, gender and rural/urban areas were investigated using χ(2) and tests for two proportions with Bonferroni adjustment. The incidence of hepatitis B in rural and urban populations was compared using Wilcoxon's signed-rank tests. Joinpoint regression was used to analyse trends in hepatitis B incidence rate. In Poland, a total of 26 660 cases of hepatitis B were reported in the studied period and 31.6% of these cases occurred in rural areas. There was significantly declining tendency in the hepatitis B incidence rate in the initial period of the study. However, there were periods of significant increase of HBV incidence rate in women from rural areas aged 15-24 years (9.4%/year) and in women from urban areas aged 15-24 years (10.9%/year) and 25-64 years (3.8%/year) in the final years of the observation. Despite the success in controlling this infection, a significant increase in the incidence of hepatitis B among young women living in rural and urban areas, as well as in adult women in urban areas, has been noted.

Trends of acute hepatitis B notification rates in eastern China from 2005 to 2013

Zhejiang Province was a high endemicity for hepatitis B disease in the 1990's. A number of measures implemented since then have begun to control and prevent hepatitis B. In 1992, hepatitis B vaccine came on the market. In 2002, hepatitis B vaccine was included in the national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Between 2007 and 2010, catch-up vaccination was implemented for children under 15. Since 2010, vaccination guidelines for high-risk groups have also been adopted. This study evaluated the impact of these control and prevention strategies on acute hepatitis B notification rates from 2005 through 2013. Data from the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS) revealed a steady downward trend in notification rates of acute hepatitis B. The most dramatic decline occurred among pre-adults, highlighting the benefits of EPI's policy of universal vaccination for children. However, the highest notification rates occurred among young adults of lower socio-economic status. These findings indicate the strong need to vaccinate young adults at risk for HBV infection as well as to collect risk-factor information in the NNDRS for monitoring and following up persons with acute hepatitis B.