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World Hepatitis Day: What you need to know
July 28 is World Hepatitis Day. This year’s theme is entitled “Think again” — reminding health care professionals, policymakers and the public to think about the global health impact of viral hepatitis.
To mark the occasion, Infectious Disease News has collected 10 articles about recent developments in the fight against hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses. Based on the latest clinical data and breaking news, here is what you need to know.
1. WHO releases HCV treatment guidelines
In April, WHO unveiled its first-ever treatment guidelines for hepatitis C virus infection during a press conference at the International Liver Congress, the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver. Read more.
2. SYNERGY: Two 6-week DAA combinations yield encouraging results
Twelve-week sustained virologic response was reported in two cohorts of patients treated for 6 weeks with direct-acting antiviral combination therapy, according to findings from the SYNERGY trial presented at the 2014 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. Read more.
3. USPSTF: Screen high-risk individuals for HBV
In May, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended that high-risk individuals be screened for hepatitis B virus infection — a move some health experts felt was long overdue. Read more.
4. Drug-treated HCV cases in G7 markets to near 500,000 by 2016
A new report predicts a dramatic increase in the number of drug-treated hepatitis C patients in the G7 markets by 2016 due to the market entry of all-oral, interferon-free treatments. Read more.
5. Six important aspects of hepatitis E
Hepatitis E virus infection, which can be transmitted to humans by multiple means, is a critical public health concern in underdeveloped countries. In a study published in Hepatic Medicine: Evidence and Research, Santiago Mirazo, MSc, of the University of the Republic, Uruguay, and colleagues provided the latest information on HEV. Read more.
6. HIV, hepatitis B virus coinfection increased hepatitis D incidence
The prevalence of recent hepatitis D virus infection among patients with HIV/hepatitis B virus coinfection has increased significantly since 1992, according to recent study findings. Read more.
7. HCV drug costs to exceed $55 billion in state funds
State budgets will be stretched thin in order to afford expensive new hepatitis C virus drugs for patients who will be treated through public programs, according to a report from Express Scripts. Read more.
8. Prenatal HBV screening, neonatal treatment reduced vertical transmission
Kaiser Permanente researchers reported that a community-based program of prenatal hepatitis B virus screening followed by neonatal immunoprophylaxis was highly effective in preventing vertical transmission of the infection. Read more.
9. Rituximab, chemotherapy led to HBV reactivation in lymphoma patients
Rituximab and CHOP-based chemotherapy led to hepatitis B virus reactivation among some patients with lymphoma. Read more.
10. Viral hepatitis presentations in pediatrics
In her latest editorial, Margaret C. Fisher, MD, medical director of the Unterberg Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, N.J., discusses the symptomology of hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E, and how clinicians should approach the diseases in children. Read more.
For more information on World Hepatitis Day, click here.