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Gaultier GN, McMillan B, Poloni C, Lo M, Cai B, Zheng JJ, Baer HM, Shulha HP, Simmons K, Márquez AC, Bartlett SR, Cook L, Levings MK, Steiner T, Sekirov I, Zlosnik JEA, Morshed M, Skowronski DM, Krajden M, Jassem AN, Sadarangani M. Adaptive immune responses to two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series in healthy Canadian adults ≥ 50 years: a prospective, observational cohort study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8926. [PMID: 38637558 PMCID: PMC11026432 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59535-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
To evaluate immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines in adults aged 50 years and older, spike protein (S)-specific antibody concentration, avidity, and function (via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) inhibition surrogate neutralization and antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP)), as well as S-specific T cells were quantified via activation induced marker (AIM) assay in response to two-dose series. Eighty-four adults were vaccinated with either: mRNA/mRNA (mRNA-1273 and/or BNT162b2); ChAdOx1-S/mRNA; or ChAdOx1-S/ChAdOx1-S. Anti-S IgG concentrations, ADCP scores and ACE2 inhibiting antibody concentrations were highest at one-month post-second dose and declined by four-months post-second dose for all groups. mRNA/mRNA and ChAdOx1-S/mRNA schedules had significantly higher antibody responses than ChAdOx1-S/ChAdOx1-S. CD8+ T-cell responses one-month post-second dose were associated with increased ACE2 surrogate neutralization. Antibody avidity (total relative avidity index) did not change between one-month and four-months post-second dose and did not significantly differ between groups by four-months post-second dose. In determining COVID-19 correlates of protection, a measure that considers both antibody concentration and avidity should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle N Gaultier
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Brynn McMillan
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Experimental Medicine Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Chad Poloni
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mandy Lo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Bing Cai
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jean J Zheng
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hannah M Baer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Institute of Infection, Inflammation & Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Hennady P Shulha
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Karen Simmons
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Sofia R Bartlett
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Laura Cook
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Megan K Levings
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Theodore Steiner
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Inna Sekirov
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Muhammad Morshed
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Danuta M Skowronski
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Agatha N Jassem
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Manish Sadarangani
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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2
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Greenwald ZR, Werb D, Feld JJ, Austin PC, Fridman D, Bayoumi AM, Gomes T, Kendall CE, Lapointe-Shaw L, Scheim AI, Bartlett SR, Benchimol EI, Bouck Z, Boucher LM, Greenaway C, Janjua NZ, Leece P, Wong WW, Sander B, Kwong JC. Validation of case-ascertainment algorithms using health administrative data to identify people who inject drugs in Ontario, Canada. J Clin Epidemiol 2024:111332. [PMID: 38522754 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2024.111332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Health administrative data can be used to improve the health of people who inject drugs by informing public health surveillance and program planning, monitoring, and evaluation. However, methodological gaps in the use of these data persist due to challenges in accurately identifying injection drug use at the population level. In this study, we validated case-ascertainment algorithms for identifying people who inject drugs using health administrative data in Ontario, Canada. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Data from cohorts of people with recent (past 12 month) injection drug use, including those participating in community-based research studies or seeking drug treatment were linked to health administrative data in Ontario from 1992-2020. We assessed the validity of algorithms to identify injection drug use over varying lookback periods (i.e., all years of data [1992 onwards] or within the past 1-5 years), including inpatient and outpatient physician billing claims for drug use, emergency department visits or hospitalizations for drug use or injection-related infections, and opioid agonist treatment (OAT). RESULTS Algorithms were validated using data from 15,241 people with recent IDU (918 in community cohorts, 14,323 seeking drug treatment). An algorithm consisting of ≥1 physician visit, emergency department visit or hospitalization for drug use, or OAT record could effectively identify IDU history (91.6% sensitivity, 94.2% specificity) and recent IDU (using 3 years lookback: 80.4% sensitivity, 99% specificity) among community cohorts. Algorithms were generally more sensitive among people who inject drugs seeking drug treatment. CONCLUSION Validated algorithms using health administrative data performed well in identifying people who inject drugs. Despite high sensitivity and specificity, the positive predictive value of these algorithms will vary depending on the underlying prevalence of injection drug use in the population in which they are applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë R Greenwald
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Canada; Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dan Werb
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,; Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, United States
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada; University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Peter C Austin
- ICES, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Ahmed M Bayoumi
- ICES, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Division of General Internal Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto,; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto. Canada
| | - Tara Gomes
- ICES, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto. Canada; Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Ontario Drug Policy Research Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Claire E Kendall
- ICES, Toronto, Canada; Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada; Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Lauren Lapointe-Shaw
- ICES, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ayden I Scheim
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, United States; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
| | - Sofia R Bartlett
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Eric I Benchimol
- ICES, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,; Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zachary Bouck
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada; MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto. Canada; Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Christina Greenaway
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada; Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Naveed Z Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences, St Paul's Hospital Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Pamela Leece
- Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada; Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - William Wl Wong
- ICES, Toronto, Canada; School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Kitchener, Canada; Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment Collaborative, Toronto, Canada
| | - Beate Sander
- ICES, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,; University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada; Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment Collaborative, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jeffrey C Kwong
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; ICES, Toronto, Canada; University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Canada; Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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3
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Silverberg SL, Shulha HP, McMillan B, He G, Lee A, Márquez AC, Bartlett SR, Gill V, Abu-Raya B, Bettinger JA, Cabrera A, Coombs D, Gantt S, Goldfarb DM, Sauvé L, Krajden M, Morshed M, Sekirov I, Jassem AN, Sadarangani M. Factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in unvaccinated children and young adults. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:91. [PMID: 38225625 PMCID: PMC10790408 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08950-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pediatric COVID-19 cases are often mild or asymptomatic, which has complicated estimations of disease burden using existing testing practices. We aimed to determine the age-specific population seropositivity and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among children and young adults during the pandemic in British Columbia (BC). METHODS We conducted two cross-sectional serosurveys: phase 1 enrolled children and adults < 25 years between November 2020-May 2021 and phase 2 enrolled children < 10 years between June 2021-May 2022 in BC. Participants completed electronic surveys and self-collected finger-prick dried blood spot (DBS) samples. Samples were tested for immunoglobulin G antibodies against ancestral spike protein (S). Descriptive statistics from survey data were reported and two multivariable analyses were conducted to evaluate factors associated with seropositivity. RESULTS A total of 2864 participants were enrolled, of which 95/2167 (4.4%) participants were S-seropositive in phase 1 across all ages, and 61/697 (8.8%) unvaccinated children aged under ten years were S-seropositive in phase 2. Overall, South Asian participants had a higher seropositivity than other ethnicities (13.5% vs. 5.2%). Of 156 seropositive participants in both phases, 120 had no prior positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Young infants and young adults had the highest reported seropositivity rates (7.0% and 7.2% respectively vs. 3.0-5.6% across other age groups). CONCLUSIONS SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among unvaccinated children and young adults was low in May 2022, and South Asians were disproportionately infected. This work demonstrates the need for improved diagnostics and reporting strategies that account for age-specific differences in pandemic dynamics and acceptability of testing mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Silverberg
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hennady P Shulha
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Brynn McMillan
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Experimental Medicine Program, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Guanyuhui He
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amy Lee
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ana Citlali Márquez
- Public Health Laboratory, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sofia R Bartlett
- Public Health Laboratory, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Vivek Gill
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Bahaa Abu-Raya
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Julie A Bettinger
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Adriana Cabrera
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Daniel Coombs
- Department of Mathematics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Soren Gantt
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David M Goldfarb
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Laura Sauvé
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mel Krajden
- Public Health Laboratory, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Muhammad Morshed
- Public Health Laboratory, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Inna Sekirov
- Public Health Laboratory, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Agatha N Jassem
- Public Health Laboratory, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Manish Sadarangani
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Ave Vancouver, V5Z 4H4, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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4
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Jeong D, Wong S, Karim ME, Manges AR, Makuza JD, Bartlett SR, Velásquez García HA, Luster D, Adu PA, Binka M, Yu A, Krajden M, Janjua NZ. Treatment of HCV with direct-acting antivirals on reducing mortality related to extrahepatic manifestations: a large population-based study in British Columbia, Canada. Lancet Reg Health Am 2024; 29:100658. [PMID: 38235369 PMCID: PMC10792760 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Background HCV infection is associated with mortality due to extrahepatic manifestations (EHM). Sustained virologic response (SVR) following direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy has been linked to decreased all-cause and liver-related mortality. However, evidence regarding the impact of DAA on EHM-related deaths is lacking. This study aimed to assess the impact of DAA and SVR on EHM-related mortality. Methods The British Columbia Hepatitis Testers Cohort comprises ∼1.7 million people tested for HCV between 1990 and 2015 and is linked with administrative health data. Among individuals diagnosed with HCV by 12/31/2020, those who received at least one DAA treatment were matched to those who never received treatment by the year of their first HCV RNA positive date. We compared three groups: treated & SVR, treated & no-SVR, and untreated; and generated EHM mortality rates and incidence curves. To account for differences in baseline characteristics, we used inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW). IPTW-weighted multivariable cause-specific Cox regression models were adjusted for competing risk and confounders. Findings Study population included 12,815 treated (12,287 SVR, 528 no-SVR) and 12,815 untreated individuals (median follow-up 3.4 years, IQR 2.9). The untreated group had the highest EHM mortality rate (30.9 per 1000 person-years [PY], 95% CI 29.2-32.8), followed by the treated & no-SVR group (21.2 per 1000 PY, 95% CI 14.9-30.1), while the treated & SVR group had the lowest EHM mortality rate (7.9 per 1000 PY, 95% CI 7.1-8.7). In the multivariable model, EHM mortality in the treated & SVR group was significantly decreased (adjusted cause-specific hazard ratio [acsHR] 0.20, 95% CI 0.18-0.23). The treated & SVR group had significant reductions in mortality related to each of the EHMs (78-84%). Interpretation Treatment of HCV with DAA was associated with significant reductions in EHM-related mortality. These findings emphasize the critical importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of HCV to prevent deaths associated with EHM, and have important implications for clinical practice and public health. Funding This work was supported by the BC Centre for Disease Control and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) [Grant # NHC-348216, PJT-156066, and PHE-337680]. DJ has received Doctoral Research Award (#201910DF1-435705-64343) from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Doctoral fellowship from the Canadian Network on Hepatitis C (CanHepC). CanHepC is funded by a joint initiative of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) (NHC-142832) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahn Jeong
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stanley Wong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mohammad Ehsanul Karim
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Advacing Health, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amee R. Manges
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jean Damascene Makuza
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sofia R. Bartlett
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Héctor Alexander Velásquez García
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Prince Asumadu Adu
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mawuena Binka
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amanda Yu
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Naveed Zafar Janjua
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Centre for Advacing Health, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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5
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Snell G, Marshall AD, van Gennip J, Bonn M, Butler-McPhee J, Cooper CL, Kronfli N, Williams S, Bruneau J, Feld JJ, Janjua NZ, Klein M, Cunningham N, Grebely J, Bartlett SR. Public reimbursement policies in Canada for direct-acting antiviral treatment of hepatitis C virus infection: A descriptive study. Can Liver J 2023; 6:190-200. [PMID: 37503523 PMCID: PMC10370724 DOI: 10.3138/canlivj-2022-0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Background Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies have simplified HCV treatment, and publicly funded Canadian drug plans have eliminated disease-stage restrictions for reimbursement of DAA therapies. However other policies which complicate, delay, or prevent treatment initiation still persist. We aim to describe these plans' existing reimbursement criteria and appraise whether they hinder treatment access. Methods We reviewed DAA reimbursement policies of 16 publicly funded drug plans published online and provided by contacts with in-depth knowledge of prescribing criteria. Data were collected from May to July 2022. Primary outcomes were: (1) if plans have arranged to accept point-of-care HCV RNA testing for diagnosis; testing requirements for (2) HCV genotype, (3) fibrosis stage, and (4) chronic infection; (5) time taken and method used to approve reimbursement requests; (6) providers eligible to prescribe DAAs; and (7) restrictions on re-treatment. Results Fifteen (94%) plans have at least one policy in place which limits simplified HCV treatment. Many plans continue to require results of genotype or fibrosis staging, limit eligible prescribers, and take longer than 1 day to approve coverage requests. One plan discourages treatment for re-infection. Conclusion Reimbursement criteria set by publicly funded Canadian drug plans continue to limit timely, equitable access to HCV treatment. Eliminating clinically irrelevant pre-authorization testing, expanding eligible prescribers, expediting claims processing, and broadening coverage of treatment for reinfection will improve access to DAAs. The federal government could further enhance efforts by introducing a federal HCV elimination strategy or federal high-cost drug PharmaCare program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaelen Snell
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alison D Marshall
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Matthew Bonn
- Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Curtis L Cooper
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nadine Kronfli
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Chronic Viral Illness Service, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sarah Williams
- Calgary Liver Unit, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal Research Center, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Naveed Z Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marina Klein
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Chronic Viral Illness Service, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nance Cunningham
- Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jason Grebely
- The Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sofia R Bartlett
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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6
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Bartlett SR, Verich A, Carson J, Hosseini‐Hooshyar S, Read P, Baker D, Post JJ, Finlayson R, Bloch M, Doyle JS, Shaw D, Hellard M, Martinez M, Marks P, Dore GJ, Matthews GV, Applegate T, Martinello M. Patterns and correlates of hepatitis C virus phylogenetic clustering among people living with HIV in Australia in the direct‐acting antiviral era: A molecular epidemiology study among participants in the CEASE cohort. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e719. [PMID: 36000082 PMCID: PMC9388196 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims In moving towards the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among people living with HIV, understanding HCV transmission patterns may provide insights to guide and evaluate interventions. In this study, we evaluated patterns of, and factors associated with HCV phylogenetic clustering among people living with HIV/HCV co‐infection in Australia in the direct‐acting antiviral era. Methods HCV RNA was extracted from dried blood spot (DBS) samples collected between 2014 and 2018 in the CEASE cohort study. The HCV Core‐E2 region was amplified by a polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequenced. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees (1000 bootstrap replicates) were used to identify patterns of clustering (3% genetic distance threshold). Mixed‐effects logistic regression was used to determine correlates of phylogenetic clustering. Factors assessed were sexual risk behavior, education, injecting drug use, housing, employment, HIV viral load, age, sex, and sexuality. Results Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed for HCV subtype 1a (n = 139) and 3a (n = 63) sequences, with 29% (58/202) in a pair or cluster. Overall (n = 202), phylogenetic clustering was positively associated with younger age (under 40; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–5.29), and among gay and bisexual men (n = 168), was positively associated with younger age (aOR 2.61, 95% CI 1.10–6.19), higher education (aOR 2.58, 95% CI 1.09–6.13), and reporting high‐risk sexual behavior (aOR 3.94, 95% CI 1.31–11.84). During follow‐up, five reinfections were observed, but none were in phylogenetic clusters. Conclusion This study found a high proportion of phylogenetic relatedness, predominantly among younger people and gay and bisexual men reporting high‐risk sexual behavior. Despite this, few reinfections were observed, and reinfections demonstrated little relationship with known clusters. These findings highlight the importance of rapid HCV treatment initiation, together with monitoring of the phylogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia R. Bartlett
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control Vancouver British Columbia Canada
- School of Population and Public Health University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Andrey Verich
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Joanne Carson
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | | | - Phillip Read
- Kirketon Road Centre Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - David Baker
- East Sydney Doctors Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Jeffrey J. Post
- The Albion Centre Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases Prince of Wales Hospital Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School University of New South Wales Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | | | - Mark Bloch
- Holdsworth House Medical Practice Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Joseph S. Doyle
- Department of Infectious Diseases Alfred Health & Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - David Shaw
- Royal Adelaide Hospital Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Department of Infectious Diseases Alfred Health & Monash University Melbourne Victoria Australia
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Maria Martinez
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Philippa Marks
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Gregory J. Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Gail V. Matthews
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Tanya Applegate
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
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7
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Wilton J, Wong S, Purssell R, Abdia Y, Chong M, Karim ME, MacInnes A, Bartlett SR, Balshaw RF, Gomes T, Yu A, Alvarez M, Dart RC, Krajden M, Buxton JA, Janjua NZ. Association Between Prescription Opioid Therapy for Noncancer Pain and Hepatitis C Virus Seroconversion. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2143050. [PMID: 35019983 PMCID: PMC8756332 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.43050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Initiation of injection drug use may be more frequent among people dispensed prescription opioid therapy for noncancer pain, potentially increasing the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) acquisition. OBJECTIVE To assess the association between medically dispensed long-term prescription opioid therapy for noncancer pain and HCV seroconversion among individuals who were initially injection drug use-naive. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A population-based, retrospective cohort study of individuals tested for HCV in British Columbia, Canada, with linkage to outpatient pharmacy dispensations, was conducted. Individuals with an initial HCV-negative test result followed by 1 additional test between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2017, and who had no history of substance use at baseline (first HCV-negative test), were included. Participants were followed up from baseline to the last HCV-negative test or estimated date of seroconversion (midpoint between HCV-positive and the preceding HCV-negative test). EXPOSURES Episodes of prescription opioid use for noncancer pain were defined as acute (<90 days) or long-term (≥90 days). Prescription opioid exposure status (long-term vs prescription opioid-naive/acute) was treated as time-varying in survival analyses. In secondary analyses, long-term exposure was stratified by intensity of use (chronic vs. episodic) and by average daily dose in morphine equivalents (MEQ). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess the association between time-varying prescription opioid status and HCV seroconversion. RESULTS A total of 382 478 individuals who had more than 1 HCV test were included, of whom more than half were female (224 373 [58.7%]), born before 1974 (201 944 [52.8%]), and younger than 35 years at baseline (196 298 [53.9%]). Participants were followed up for 2 057 668 person-years and 1947 HCV seroconversions occurred. Of the participants, 41 755 people (10.9%) were exposed to long-term prescription opioid therapy at baseline or during follow-up. The HCV seroconversion rate per 1000 person-years was 0.8 among the individuals who were prescription opioid-naive/acute (1489 of 1947 [76.5%] seroconversions; 0.4% seroconverted within 5 years) and 2.1 with long-term prescription opioid therapy (458 of 1947 [23.5%] seroconversions; 1.1% seroconverted within 5 years). In multivariable analysis, exposure to long-term prescription opioid therapy was associated with a 3.2-fold (95% CI, 2.9-3.6) higher risk of HCV seroconversion (vs prescription opioid-naive/acute). In separate Cox models, long-term chronic use was associated with a 4.7-fold higher risk of HCV seroconversion (vs naive/acute use 95% CI, 3.9-5.8), and long-term higher-dose use (≥90 MEQ) was associated with a 5.1-fold higher risk (vs naive/acute use 95% CI, 3.7-7.1). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study of people with more than 1 HCV test, long-term prescription opioid therapy for noncancer pain was associated with a higher risk of HCV seroconversion among individuals who were injection drug use-naive at baseline or at prescription opioid initiation. These results suggest injection drug use initiation risk is higher among people dispensed long-term therapy and may be useful for informing approaches to identify and prevent HCV infection. These findings should not be used to justify abrupt discontinuation of long-term therapy, which could increase risk of harms.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Wilton
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stanley Wong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Roy Purssell
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Younathan Abdia
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mei Chong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mohammad Ehsanul Karim
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences, St Paul's Hospital Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Aaron MacInnes
- Pain Management Clinic, Jim Pattison Outpatient Care & Surgical Centre, Fraser Health Authority, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sofia R. Bartlett
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rob F. Balshaw
- George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Tara Gomes
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda Yu
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Maria Alvarez
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Richard C. Dart
- Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, Colorado
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jane A. Buxton
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Naveed Z. Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences, St Paul's Hospital Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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8
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Pearce ME, Bartlett SR, Yu A, Lamb J, Reitz C, Wong S, Alvarez M, Binka M, Velásquez Garcia H, Jeong D, Clementi E, Adu P, Samji H, Wong J, Buxton J, Yoshida E, Elwood C, Sauve L, Pick N, Krajden M, Janjua NZ. Women in the 2019 hepatitis C cascade of care: findings from the British Columbia Hepatitis Testers cohort study. BMC Womens Health 2021; 21:330. [PMID: 34511082 PMCID: PMC8436483 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01470-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are rarely addressed in research and may be overrepresented within key populations requiring additional support to access HCV care and treatment. We constructed the HCV care cascade among people diagnosed with HCV in British Columbia, Canada, as of 2019 to compare progress in care and treatment and to assess sex/gender gaps in HCV treatment access. METHODS The BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort includes 1.7 million people who tested for HCV, HIV, reported cases of hepatitis B, and active tuberculosis in BC from 2000 to 2019. Test results were linked to medical visits, hospitalizations, cancers, prescription drugs, and mortality data. Six HCV care cascade stages were identified: (1) antibody diagnosed; (2) RNA tested; (3) RNA positive; (4) genotyped; (5) initiated treatment; and (6) achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). HCV care cascade results were assessed for women, and an 'inverse' cascade was created to assess gaps, including not being RNA tested, genotyped, or treatment initiated, stratified by sex. RESULTS In 2019, 52,638 people with known sex were anti-HCV positive in BC; 37% (19,522) were women. Confirmatory RNA tests were received by 86% (16,797/19,522) of anti-HCV positive women and 83% (27,353/33,116) of men. Among people who had been genotyped, 68% (6756/10,008) of women and 67% (12,640/18,828) of men initiated treatment, with 94% (5023/5364) of women and 92% (9147/9897) of men achieving SVR. Among the 3252 women and 6188 men not yet treated, higher proportions of women compared to men were born after 1975 (30% vs. 21%), had a mental health diagnosis (42% vs. 34%) and had used injection drugs (50% vs. 45%). Among 1619 women and 2780 men who had used injection drugs and were not yet treated, higher proportions of women than men used stimulants (64% vs. 57%), and opiates (67% vs. 60%). CONCLUSIONS Women and men appear to be equally engaged into the HCV care cascade; however, women with concurrent social and health conditions are being left behind. Treatment access may be improved with approaches that meet the needs of younger women, those with mental health diagnoses, and women who use drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margo E Pearce
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Sofia R Bartlett
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amanda Yu
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jess Lamb
- AIDS Network Kootenay Outreach and Support Society, Kimberly, BC, Canada
| | - Cheryl Reitz
- East Kootenay Network of People who Use Drugs, Kimberly, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Hepatitis Network Society, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stanley Wong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Maria Alvarez
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mawuena Binka
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Dahn Jeong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Emilia Clementi
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Prince Adu
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hasina Samji
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jason Wong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jane Buxton
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Eric Yoshida
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Chelsea Elwood
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UBC, Vancouver, Canada
- BC Women's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Laura Sauve
- BC Women's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, UBC, Vancouver, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Neora Pick
- BC Women's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Naveed Z Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
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9
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Bartlett SR, Wong S, Yu A, Pearce M, MacIsaac J, Nouch S, Adu P, Wilton J, Samji H, Clementi E, Velasquez H, Jeong D, Binka M, Alvarez M, Wong J, Buxton J, Krajden M, Janjua NZ. The impact of current opioid agonist therapy on hepatitis C virus treatment initiation among people who use drugs from in the DAA era: A population-based study. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 74:575-583. [PMID: 34125883 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence that opioid agonist therapy (OAT) is associated with increased odds of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment initiation among people who use drugs (PWUD) is emerging. The objective of this study was to determine the association between current OAT and HCV treatment initiation among PWUD in a population-level linked administrative dataset. METHODS The British Columbia (BC) Hepatitis Testers Cohort was used for this study, which includes all people tested for or diagnosed with HCV in BC, linked to medical visits, hospitalizations, laboratory, prescription drug, and mortality data from 1992 until 2019. PWUD with injecting drug use or opioid use disorder and chronic HCV infection were identified for inclusion in this study. HCV treatment initiation was the main outcome, and subdistribution proportional hazards modeling was used to assess the relationship with current OAT. RESULTS 13,803 PWUD with chronic HCV were included in this study. Among those currently on OAT at the end of the study period, 47% (2,704/5,770) had started HCV treatment, whereas 22% (1778/8033) of those not currently on OAT has started HCV treatment .. Among PWUD with chronic HCV infection, current OAT was associated with higher likelihood of HCV treatment initiation in time to event analysis (adjusted hazard ratio 1.84 [95%CI, 1.50, 2.26]). CONCLUSIONS Current OAT was associated with a higher likelihood of HCV treatment initiation. However, many PWUD with HCV currently receiving OAT have yet to receive HCV treatment. Enhanced integration between substance use care and HCV treatment is needed to improve the overall health of PWUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia R Bartlett
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stanley Wong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amanda Yu
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Margo Pearce
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Julia MacIsaac
- Division of Addiction Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Susan Nouch
- Department of Family and Community Practice, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Prince Adu
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - James Wilton
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hasina Samji
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Emilia Clementi
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hector Velasquez
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dahn Jeong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mawuena Binka
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Maria Alvarez
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jason Wong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jane Buxton
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Naveed Z Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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10
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Bartlett SR, Buxton J, Palayew A, Picchio CA, Janjua NZ, Kronfli N. Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence, Screening, and Treatment Among People Who Are Incarcerated in Canada: Leaving No One Behind in the Direct-Acting Antiviral Era. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2021; 17:75-80. [PMID: 33680440 PMCID: PMC7916434 DOI: 10.1002/cld.1023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia R. Bartlett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- The Kirby InstituteUniversity of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
- British Columbia Centre for Disease ControlProvincial Health Services AuthorityVancouverBCCanada
| | - Jane Buxton
- British Columbia Centre for Disease ControlProvincial Health Services AuthorityVancouverBCCanada
- School of Population and Public HealthFaculty of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Adam Palayew
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational HealthMcGill UniversityMontrealQCCanada
| | - Camila A. Picchio
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)Hospital ClínicUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Naveed Z. Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease ControlProvincial Health Services AuthorityVancouverBCCanada
- School of Population and Public HealthFaculty of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Nadine Kronfli
- Department of MedicineDivision of Infectious Diseases and Chronic Viral Illness ServiceMcGill UniversityMontrealQCCanada
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11
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Pearce ME, Yu A, Alvarez M, Bartlett SR, Binka M, Jeong D, Clementi E, Adu P, Wilton J, Yoshida EM, Pick N, Buxton JA, Wong J, Jassem A, Krajden M, Janjua NZ. Prenatal hepatitis C screening, diagnoses, and follow-up testing in British Columbia, 2008-2019. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0244575. [PMID: 33382774 PMCID: PMC7775094 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Current guidelines in British Columbia recommend prenatal screening for hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV) if risk factors are present. We aimed to estimate frequency of prenatal anti-HCV testing, new diagnoses, repeated and follow-up testing among BC women. METHODS BC Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory data estimated the number of BC women (assigned female at birth or unknown sex) aged 13-49 who received routine prenatal serological screening (HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis and rubella) from 2008-2019. Anti-HCV tests ordered the same day as routine prenatal screens were considered prenatal anti-HCV tests. Assessment of follow-up was based on HCV RNA and/or genotype testing within one year of new prenatal anti-HCV diagnoses. RESULTS In 2019, 55,202 routine prenatal screens were carried out for 50,392 BC women. Prenatal anti-HCV tests increased significantly, from 19.6% (9,704/49,515) in 2008 to 54.6% (27,516/50,392) in 2019 (p<0.001). New prenatal anti-HCV diagnoses (HCV positive diagnoses at first test or seroconversions) declined from 14.3% in 2008 to 10.1% in 2019. The proportion of women with new prenatal anti-HCV diagnoses that were a result of a first HCV test declined from 0.3% (29/9,701) in 2008 to 0.03% (8/27,500) in 2019. For women known to be anti-HCV positive at the time of prenatal screening, the proportion who had a prenatal anti-HCV test increased from 35.6% in 2008 to 50.8% in 2019. CONCLUSION Prenatal anti-HCV testing increased substantially over the study period. However, new HCV diagnoses remained relatively stable, suggesting that a considerable proportion of BC women with low or no risk are being screened as part of prenatal care. The vast majority of women with new HCV diagnoses receive appropriate follow-up HCV RNA and genotype testing, which may indicate interest in HCV treatment. These findings contribute to the discussion around potential for prenatal anti-HCV screening in an effort to eliminate HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margo E. Pearce
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Amanda Yu
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Maria Alvarez
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sofia R. Bartlett
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mawuena Binka
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Dahn Jeong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Emilia Clementi
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Prince Adu
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - James Wilton
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eric M. Yoshida
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Neora Pick
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Women’s Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jane A. Buxton
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jason Wong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Agatha Jassem
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Naveed Z. Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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12
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Wilton J, Wong S, Yu A, Ramji A, Cook D, Butt ZA, Alvarez M, Binka M, Darvishian M, Jeong D, Bartlett SR, Pearce ME, Adu PA, Yoshida EM, Krajden M, Janjua NZ. Real-world Effectiveness of Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C in British Columbia, Canada: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Open Forum Infect Dis 2020; 7:ofaa055. [PMID: 32154326 PMCID: PMC7052750 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical trials show high efficacy of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL), but there are limited data from “real-world” settings. We aimed to evaluate SOF/VEL effectiveness for all hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes (GTs) in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Methods We used the BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort, which includes all HCV cases in the province (1990–2015) linked to administrative databases, including prescriptions to end of 2018. We measured sustained virologic response (SVR; negative RNA ≥10 weeks after treatment end) and identified characteristics associated with non-SVR. Conservatively, we excluded individuals with no assessment for SVR if their last RNA test after treatment initiation was negative (but included if positive). Results Of 2821 eligible participants, most were infected with GT1 (1076, 38.1%) or GT3 (1072, 38.0%), and a minority (278, 9.9%) were treated with RBV. SVR was 94.6% (2670/2821) overall and 94.5% (1017/1076) for GT1, 96.4% (512/531) for GT2, and 93.7% (1004/1072) for GT3. When disaggregated by GT, treatment regimen, and cirrhosis/treatment experience, SVR was lowest (30/40, 75.0%) among treatment-experienced GT3 individuals treated with RBV. Characteristics associated with non-SVR in multivariable analysis included younger age, RBV addition, and being a person with HIV (PWH) or who injects/injected drugs (PWID). When treatment regimen (±RBV) was removed from multivariable model, treatment experience was associated with non-SVR for GT3. Of 151 non-SVR individuals, 56.3% were nonvirological failures (treatment incomplete/no assessment for SVR) and 43.7% were virological failures (nonresponse/relapse). A disproportionately high percentage of non-SVR among PWID was due to nonvirological failure. Conclusions SOF/VEL was highly effective in this “real-world” population-based cohort. Additional support is required for PWID/PWH to reach SVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Wilton
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stanley Wong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amanda Yu
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alnoor Ramji
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Darrel Cook
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zahid A Butt
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maria Alvarez
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mawuena Binka
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Maryam Darvishian
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Cancer Control Research, BC Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Population Oncology, BC Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Dahn Jeong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sofia R Bartlett
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Margo E Pearce
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Prince A Adu
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eric M Yoshida
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Naveed Z Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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13
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Bartlett SR, Yu A, Chapinal N, Rossi C, Butt Z, Wong S, Darvishian M, Gilbert M, Wong J, Binka M, Alvarez M, Tyndall M, Krajden M, Janjua NZ. The population level care cascade for hepatitis C in British Columbia, Canada as of 2018: Impact of direct acting antivirals. Liver Int 2019; 39:2261-2272. [PMID: 31444846 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Population-level monitoring of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected people across cascades of care identifies gaps in access and engagement in care and treatment. We characterized the population-level care cascade for HCV in British Columbia (BC), Canada before and after introduction of Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) treatment. METHODS BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort (BC-HTC) includes 1.7 million individuals tested for HCV, HIV, reported cases of hepatitis B, and active tuberculosis in BC from 1990 to 2018 linked to medical visits, hospitalizations, cancers, prescription drugs and mortality data. We defined six HCV care cascade stages: (a) antibody diagnosed; (b) RNA tested; (c) RNA positive; (d) genotyped; (e) initiated treatment; and (f) achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). RESULTS We estimated 61 127 people were HCV antibody positive in BC in 2018 (undiagnosed: 7686, 13%; diagnosed: 53 441, 87%). Of those diagnosed, 83% (44 507) had HCV RNA testing, and of those RNA positive, 90% (28 716) were genotyped. Of those genotyped, 61% (17 441) received therapy, with 90% (15 672) reaching SVR. Individuals from older birth cohorts had lower progression to HCV RNA testing. While people who currently inject drugs had the highest proportional progression to RNA testing, this group had the lowest proportional treatment uptake. CONCLUSIONS Although gaps in HCV RNA and genotype testing after antibody diagnosis exist, the largest gap in the care cascade is treatment initiation, despite introduction of DAA treatment and removal of treatment eligibility restrictions. Further interventions are required to ensure testing and treatment is equitably accessible in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia R Bartlett
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Amanda Yu
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nuria Chapinal
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Carmine Rossi
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Zahid Butt
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stanley Wong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Maryam Darvishian
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mark Gilbert
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jason Wong
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mawuena Binka
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Maria Alvarez
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mark Tyndall
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Naveed Z Janjua
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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14
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Bartlett SR, Fox P, Cabatingan H, Jaros A, Gorton C, Lewis R, Priscott E, Dore GJ, Russell DB. Demonstration of Near-Elimination of Hepatitis C Virus Among a Prison Population: The Lotus Glen Correctional Centre Hepatitis C Treatment Project. Clin Infect Dis 2019. [PMID: 29538639 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro-elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection through rapid uptake of government-funded direct-acting antiviral therapy within an Australian prison setting is demonstrated. During a 22-month period, 119 patients initiated treatment for chronic HCV infection, with HCV in-prison viremic prevalence declining from 12% to 1%.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Penny Fox
- Department of Medicine, Cairns Hospital
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Darren B Russell
- Cairns Sexual Health Service, Cairns.,James Cook University, Cairns.,Melbourne University, Australia
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15
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Martinello M, Yee J, Bartlett SR, Read P, Baker D, Post JJ, Finlayson R, Bloch M, Doyle J, Shaw D, Hellard M, Petoumenos K, Lin L, Marks P, Applegate T, Dore GJ, Matthews GV. Moving Towards Hepatitis C Microelimination Among People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Australia: The CEASE Study. Clin Infect Dis 2019; 71:1502-1510. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Microelimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be feasible in Australia, given unrestricted access to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy from 2016. Our aim was to evaluate progress towards elimination goals within HIV/HCV-coinfected adults in Australia following universal DAA access.
Methods
The CEASE prospective cohort study enrolled adults with HIV/HCV, irrespective of viremic status, from 14 primary and tertiary clinics in Australia. Annual and cumulative HCV treatment uptake, outcome, and HCV RNA prevalence were evaluated, with follow-up through May 2018 (median follow-up, 2.63 years). Factors associated with DAA uptake were analyzed.
Results
Between July 2014 and March 2017, 402 participants who were HIV/HCV antibody positive were enrolled (95% male [80% gay and bisexual men,], 13% cirrhosis, 80% history of injecting drug use [39% currently injecting]). Following universal DAA access, annual HCV treatment uptake in those eligible increased from 7% and 11% per year in 2014 and 2015, respectively, to 80% in 2016. By 2018, cumulative HCV treatment uptake in those ever eligible for treatment was 91% (336/371). HCV viremic prevalence declined from 82% (95% CI, 78–86%) in 2014 to 8% (95% CI, 6–12%) in 2018. Reinfection was reported in only 5 participants for a reinfection incidence of 0.81 per 100 person-years (95% CI, 0.34–1.94).
Conclusions
High uptake and effectiveness of unrestricted DAA therapy in Australia have permitted rapid treatment scale-up, with a dramatic reduction in HCV infection burden and low reinfection rate among people living with HIV, suggesting that microelimination is feasible.
Clinical Trials Registration
NCT02102451.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Martinello
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Blacktown Mt Druitt Hospital, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jasmine Yee
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sofia R Bartlett
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Phillip Read
- Kirketon Road Clinic, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Baker
- East Sydney Doctors, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jeffrey J Post
- The Albion Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert Finlayson
- Taylor Square Private Clinic, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Bloch
- Holdsworth House Medical Practice, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Shaw
- Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kathy Petoumenos
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lanni Lin
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Philippa Marks
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tanya Applegate
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gail V Matthews
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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16
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Bartlett SR, Applegate TL, Jacka BP, Martinello M, Lamoury FMJ, Danta M, Bradshaw D, Shaw D, Lloyd AR, Hellard M, Dore GJ, Matthews GV, Grebely J. A latent class approach to identify multi-risk profiles associated with phylogenetic clustering of recent hepatitis C virus infection in Australia and New Zealand from 2004 to 2015. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22:e25222. [PMID: 30746864 PMCID: PMC6371014 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over the last two decades, the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV began increasing in post-industrialized countries. Little is known about transmission of acute or recent HCV, in particular among MSM living with HIV co-infection, which creates uncertainty about potential for reinfection after HCV treatment. Using phylogenetic methods, clinical, epidemiological and molecular data can be combined to better understand transmission patterns. These insights may help identify strategies to reduce reinfection risk, enhancing effectiveness of HCV treatment as prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to identify multi-risk profiles and factors associated with phylogenetic pairs and clusters among people with recent HCV infection. METHODS Data and specimens from five studies of recent HCV in Australia and New Zealand (2004 to 2015) were used. HCV Core-E2 sequences were used to infer maximum likelihood trees. Clusters were identified using 90% bootstrap and 5% genetic distance threshold. Multivariate logistic regression and latent class analyses were performed. RESULTS Among 237 participants with Core-E2 sequences, 47% were in a pair/cluster. Among HIV/HCV co-infected participants, 60% (74/123) were in a pair/cluster, compared to 30% (34/114) with HCV mono-infection (p < 0.001). HIV/HCV co-infection (vs. HCV mono-infection; adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.37, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.45, 5.15) was independently associated with phylogenetic clustering. Latent class analysis identified three distinct risk profiles: (1) people who inject drugs, (2) HIV-positive gay and bisexual men (GBM) with low probability of injecting drug use (IDU) and (3) GBM with IDU & sexual risk behaviour. Class 2 (vs. Class 1, AOR 3.40; 95% CI, 1.52, 7.60), was independently associated with phylogenetic clustering. Many clusters displayed homogeneous characteristics, such as containing individuals exclusively from one city, individuals all with HIV/HCV co-infection or individuals sharing the same route of acquisition of HCV. CONCLUSIONS Clusters containing individuals with specific characteristics suggest that HCV transmission occurs through discrete networks, particularly among HIV/HCV co-infected individuals. The greater proportion of clustering found among HIV/HCV co-infected participants highlights the need to provide broad direct-acting antiviral access encouraging rapid uptake in this population and ongoing monitoring of the phylogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Mark Danta
- St Vincent's Clinical SchoolUNSWSydneyNSWAustralia
- Department of GastroenterologySt Vincent's Hospital SydneySydneyAustralia
| | | | - David Shaw
- Royal Adelaide HospitalAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- Kirby InstituteUNSWSydneyNSWAustralia
- School of Medical SciencesUNSWSydneyNSWAustralia
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17
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Bartlett SR, Grebely J, Eltahla AA, Reeves JD, Howe AYM, Miller V, Ceccherini-Silberstein F, Bull RA, Douglas MW, Dore GJ, Harrington P, Lloyd AR, Jacka B, Matthews GV, Wang GP, Pawlotsky JM, Feld JJ, Schinkel J, Garcia F, Lennerstrand J, Applegate TL. Sequencing of hepatitis C virus for detection of resistance to direct-acting antiviral therapy: A systematic review. Hepatol Commun 2017; 1:379-390. [PMID: 29404466 PMCID: PMC5721421 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The significance of the clinical impact of direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) resistance‐associated substitutions (RASs) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) on treatment failure is unclear. No standardized methods or guidelines for detection of DAA RASs in HCV exist. To facilitate further evaluations of the impact of DAA RASs in HCV, we conducted a systematic review of RAS sequencing protocols, compiled a comprehensive public library of sequencing primers, and provided expert guidance on the most appropriate methods to screen and identify RASs. The development of standardized RAS sequencing protocols is complicated due to a high genetic variability and the need for genotype‐ and subtype‐specific protocols for multiple regions. We have identified several limitations of the available methods and have highlighted areas requiring further research and development. The development, validation, and sharing of standardized methods for all genotypes and subtypes should be a priority. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:379–390)
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason Grebely
- Kirby Institute University of New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Auda A Eltahla
- Kirby Institute University of New South Wales Sydney Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine University of New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Jacqueline D Reeves
- Monogram Biosciences, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings South San Francisco CA
| | - Anita Y M Howe
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St Paul's Hospital Vancouver Canada
| | - Veronica Miller
- Forum for Collaborative HIV Research University of California Berkeley Washington DC
| | | | - Rowena A Bull
- Kirby Institute University of New South Wales Sydney Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine University of New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Mark W Douglas
- Storr Liver Centre, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research University of Sydney Sydney Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- Kirby Institute University of New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Patrick Harrington
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Division of Antiviral Products Silver Spring MD
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- Kirby Institute University of New South Wales Sydney Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine University of New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Brendan Jacka
- Kirby Institute University of New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Gail V Matthews
- Kirby Institute University of New South Wales Sydney Australia
| | - Gary P Wang
- Department of Medicine University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville FL
| | - Jean-Michel Pawlotsky
- National Reference Center for Viral Hepatitis B, C, and D, Department of Virology and INSERM U955, Hopital Henri Mondor Université Paris-Est Creteil France
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Western Hospital Liver Centre, University Health Network University of Toronto Toronto Canada
| | - Janke Schinkel
- Department of Medical Microbiology Academic Medical Center Amsterdam the Netherlands
| | - Federico Garcia
- Clinical Microbiology Service Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada Granada Spain
| | - Johan Lennerstrand
- Section of Clinical Virology, Department of Medical Science Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
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18
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Bartlett SR, Wertheim JO, Bull RA, Matthews GV, Lamoury FMJ, Scheffler K, Hellard M, Maher L, Dore GJ, Lloyd AR, Applegate TL, Grebely J. A molecular transmission network of recent hepatitis C infection in people with and without HIV: Implications for targeted treatment strategies. J Viral Hepat 2017; 24:404-411. [PMID: 27882678 PMCID: PMC5400687 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Combining phylogenetic and network methodologies has the potential to better inform targeted interventions to prevent and treat infectious diseases. This study reconstructed a molecular transmission network for people with recent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and modelled the impact of targeting directly acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for HCV in the network. Participants were selected from three Australian studies of recent HCV from 2004 to 2014. HCV sequence data (Core-E2) from participants at the time of recent HCV detection were analysed to infer a network by connecting pairs of sequences whose divergence was ≤.03 substitutions/site. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with connectivity. Impact of targeting HCV DAAs at both HIV co-infected and random nodes was simulated (1 million replicates). Among 236 participants, 21% (n=49) were connected in the network. HCV/HIV co-infected participants (47%) were more likely to be connected compared to HCV mono-infected participants (16%) (OR 4.56; 95% CI; 2.13-9.74). Simulations targeting DAA HCV treatment to HCV/HIV co-infected individuals prevented 2.5 times more onward infections than providing DAAs to randomly selected individuals. Results demonstrate that genetic distance-based network analyses can be used to identify characteristics associated with HCV transmission, informing targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joel O Wertheim
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, 92093, United States
| | - Rowena A Bull
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | | | | | - Konrad Scheffler
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, 92093, United States
| | | | - Lisa Maher
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | | | - Jason Grebely
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, 2052, Australia
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19
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Bartlett SR, Jacka B, Bull RA, Luciani F, Matthews GV, Lamoury FMJ, Hellard ME, Hajarizadeh B, Teutsch S, White B, Maher L, Dore GJ, Lloyd AR, Grebely J, Applegate TL. HIV infection and hepatitis C virus genotype 1a are associated with phylogenetic clustering among people with recently acquired hepatitis C virus infection. Infect Genet Evol 2016; 37:252-8. [PMID: 26631810 PMCID: PMC4728154 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Revised: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with phylogenetic clustering among people with recently acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Participants with available sample at time of HCV detection were selected from three studies; the Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C, the Hepatitis C Incidence and Transmission Study - Prison and Community. HCV RNA was extracted and Core to E2 region of HCV sequenced. Clusters were identified from maximum likelihood trees with 1000 bootstrap replicates using 90% bootstrap and 5% genetic distance threshold. Among 225 participants with available Core-E2 sequence (ATAHC, n=113; HITS-p, n=90; and HITS-c, n=22), HCV genotype prevalence was: G1a: 38% (n=86), G1b: 5% (n=12), G2a: 1% (n=2), G2b: 5% (n=11), G3a: 48% (n=109), G6a: 1% (n=2) and G6l 1% (n=3). Of participants included in phylogenetic trees, 22% of participants were in a pair/cluster (G1a-35%, 30/85, mean maximum genetic distance=0.031; G3a-11%, 12/106, mean maximum genetic distance=0.021; other genotypes-21%, 6/28, mean maximum genetic distance=0.023). Among HCV/HIV co-infected participants, 50% (18/36) were in a pair/cluster, compared to 16% (30/183) with HCV mono-infection (P=<0.001). Factors independently associated with phylogenetic clustering were HIV co-infection [vs. HCV mono-infection; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.24; 95%CI 1.91, 9.39], and HCV G1a infection (vs. other HCV genotypes; AOR 3.33, 95%CI 0.14, 0.61).HCV treatment and prevention strategies, including enhanced antiviral therapy, should be optimised. The impact of targeting of HCV treatment as prevention to populations with higher phylogenetic clustering, such as those with HIV co-infection, could be explored through mathematical modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rowena A Bull
- Inflammation and Infection Research Centre (IIRC), UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Fabio Luciani
- Inflammation and Infection Research Centre (IIRC), UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Suzy Teutsch
- Inflammation and Infection Research Centre (IIRC), UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Lisa Maher
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Andrew R Lloyd
- Inflammation and Infection Research Centre (IIRC), UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
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20
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Bartlett SR, Bennett PR, Campa JS, Dennes WJ, Slater DM, Mann GE, Poston L, Poston R. Expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in pregnant human myometrium. J Physiol 1999; 521 Pt 3:705-16. [PMID: 10601500 PMCID: PMC2269695 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.1999.00705.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
1. Endogenous nitric oxide has been proposed to play a role in the control of myometrial contractility in pregnancy. In this study, the expression, localisation and regulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms have been examined in human pregnant myometrium and cultured human myometrial smooth muscle cells, by immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. 2. Immunoblotting of extracts from freshly isolated myometrial tissue, affinity-enriched for NOS proteins by precipitation with ADP-sepharose, revealed expression of endothelial NOS (eNOS or NOS3) in tissues from preterm, term non-labour and active labour at term. Inducible NOS (iNOS or NOS2) and neuronal NOS (nNOS or NOS1) proteins were not detected at any stage of pregnancy. 3. Immunohistochemical detection showed that expression of eNOS protein was restricted to the endothelium of the myometrial vasculature, with no staining detected in myometrial smooth muscle cells. 4. Messenger RNA for all three NOS isoforms was detected, although iNOS and nNOS mRNAs were detectable only with high cycle number, implying a low copy number. 5. NOS isoforms were not detectable in human myometrial smooth muscle cells cultured from term non-labour pregnancies. Cytokine stimulation of cultured myometrial cells did not induce iNOS expression or nitrite accumulation in the culture medium, although both iNOS protein and nitrite release were detected in the human pulmonary epithelial cell line A549. 6. Levels of eNOS protein and of NOS mRNA expression were not correlated with gestational stage, suggesting that endogenously produced NO is not likely to be a modulator of myometrial tone during human pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Bartlett
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, GKT Schools of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, UK
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Bartlett SR, Sawdy R, Mann GE. Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human myometrial smooth muscle cells by interleukin-1beta: involvement of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. J Physiol 1999; 520 Pt 2:399-406. [PMID: 10523409 PMCID: PMC2269606 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.1999.00399.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/1999] [Accepted: 08/03/1999] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
1. Human myometrial smooth muscle cells (HMSMCs) in culture were exposed to recombinant human interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta, 10 ng ml-1) for 1 to 24 h. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein were rapidly induced, with expression sustained at 24 h. 2. Cycloheximide (10 microg ml-1, 6 h) blocked IL-1beta-induced COX-2 protein expression and super-induced COX-2 mRNA expression. Induction of COX-2 mRNA and protein was blocked by dexamethasone (1 microm, 6 h). 3. IL-1beta-induced COX-2 expression was accompanied by a 3-fold increase of prostaglandin E2 release into the culture medium. 4. IL-1beta induced a transient (5-30 min) activation of p42/44 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) enzymes in HMSMCs. Activity of p38 MAPK was monitored by in-gel activity of its substrate MAP kinase-activated protein kinase-2 (MAPKAP kinase-2). Induction of MAPKAP kinase-2 activity was prevented by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 203580 (10 microm, 5-30 min). 5. COX-2 protein expression detected after 6 h IL-1beta stimulation was blocked by SB 203580 (10 microM). Exposure of HMSMCs to 10 ng ml-1 IL-1beta for only 30 min induced a level of COX-2 protein expression at 6 h culture similar to that detected in cells exposed to the cytokine for 6 h. 6. Exposure of cells to SB 203580 (10 microM during only the first 30 min of IL-1beta stimulation was effective in blocking COX-2 protein expression assayed after 6 h in culture. 7. This study has established that a transient activation of the p38 MAPK cascade is involved in IL-1beta-stimulated COX-2 expression in human myometrial smooth muscle cells. Induction of COX-2 by IL-1beta in HMSMCs provides support for the hypothesis that autocrine prostaglandin signalling in the myometrium, initiated by elevated intrauterine cytokine concentrations, plays a role in regulating myometrial contractility during labour.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Bartlett
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, GKT School of Biomedical Sciences, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London SE1 9RT, UK.
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