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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Control and Elimination of Viral Hepatitis
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Control and Elimination of Viral Hepatitis

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Virology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2024 | Viewed by 7323

Special Issue Editors

Dr. María Cristina Navas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, University of Antioquia | UdeA, Medellin, Colombia
Interests: Hepatitis E virus Hepatitis B
Prof. Dr. Fernando de la Hoz-Restrepo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia
Interests: viral hepatitis epidemiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The control and elimination of viral hepatitis is a priority of the World Health Organization (WHO). Since 2010, the World Health Assembly included hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection as a priority, taking into account the burden and the cost to health systems of viral hepatitis. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) presented the global strategy for the sector with the goal of a 65% reduction in mortality associated with viral hepatitis by the year 2030 and a 90% reduction in incidence.

The screening of blood units, the mandatory notification and registration of cases of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, the strengthening of diagnosis and treatment systems, and the availability of antiviral treatment are the most important strategies. Nowadays, important advances have been made in public health and research in some countries that make the WHO global strategy viable in the medium term, although not with regard to the goal proposed for 2030.

This Special Issue of Microorganisms plans to collect recent research on the control and elimination of hepatitis virus. Original research articles and comprehensive reviews that cover hepatitis virus infection, epidemiology, molecular characterization, antiviral treatment, and antiviral agents are welcome.

Dr. María Cristina Navas
Prof. Dr. Fernando de la Hoz-Restrepo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hepatitis virus infection
  • epidemiology
  • molecular characterization
  • vaccines
  • interventions
  • antiviral treatment
  • antiviral agents
  • validation of elimination

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 3902 KiB  
Article
Epidemiology of Viral Hepatitis in the Indigenous Populations of the Arctic Zone of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
by Vera S. Kichatova, Maria A. Lopatukhina, Ilya A. Potemkin, Fedor A. Asadi Mobarkhan, Olga V. Isaeva, Mikhail D. Chanyshev, Albina G. Glushenko, Kamil F. Khafizov, Tatyana D. Rumyantseva, Sergey I. Semenov, Karen K. Kyuregyan, Vasiliy G. Akimkin and Mikhail I. Mikhailov
Microorganisms 2024, 12(3), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12030464 - 25 Feb 2024
Viewed by 846
Abstract
The indigenous populations of the Arctic regions of Russia experience the lowest coverage of health-related services. We assessed the prevalence of hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV and HEV) among 367 healthy adult Native people of the [...] Read more.
The indigenous populations of the Arctic regions of Russia experience the lowest coverage of health-related services. We assessed the prevalence of hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV and HEV) among 367 healthy adult Native people of the Arctic zone of Yakutia. The HAV seroprevalence was above and increased with age. The anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibody detection rates were 4.1% and 2.5%, respectively. The average HBsAg detection rate was 4.6%, with no positive cases identified in participants aged under 30 years, confirming the effectiveness of the newborn vaccination program that began in 1998. Anti-HDV antibodies were detected in 29.4% of HBsAg-positive cases. The anti-HCV and HCV RNA detection rates peaked in the age cohort of 50–59 years (10.8% and 3.9%). No statistically significant gender differences in the prevalence of different viral hepatitis were observed. The time-scaled phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all HBV genotype A and D strains isolated in this study were autochthonous and had an estimated most common recent ancestor (MCRA) age of around the 11th to 14th century. Unlike HBV, the HCV strains of subtypes 1b, 2a and 2k/1b were introduced from other regions of Russia in the 1980s and 1990s. The HCV 1b sequence analysis revealed a series of transmission events. In conclusion, these data emphasize the urgent need for expanded viral hepatitis screening and care programs in the indigenous populations of the Arctic zone of Yakutia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Elimination of Viral Hepatitis)
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12 pages, 1293 KiB  
Article
How Possible Is the Elimination of Viral Hepatitis? An Analysis Based on the Global Burden of Disease from Hepatitis B and C, 1990–2019
by Nelson Alvis-Guzman, Nelson J. Alvis-Zakzuk and Fernando De la Hoz Restrepo
Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020388 - 15 Feb 2024
Viewed by 822
Abstract
This study assesses the feasibility of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) elimination using an analysis of trends of epidemiology data (1990–2019) from the Global Burden of Disease Study. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to identify significantly changing points in the trends of [...] Read more.
This study assesses the feasibility of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) elimination using an analysis of trends of epidemiology data (1990–2019) from the Global Burden of Disease Study. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to identify significantly changing points in the trends of Age-standardized Prevalence Rates (ASPR) and Age-standardized Mortality Rates (ASMR) and to estimate the annual percentage changes (APC) and the average annual percentage changes (AAPC) for the period. The Sociodemographic Index (SDI) was used to analyze trends between countries. The total percentage change of the ASPR (2019/1990) was −31.4% and −12.8% for HBV and HCV worldwide, respectively; the rate ratio (HBV/HCV) was 2.5. Mortality had decreased for HBV but not for HCV. The total percentage change for the ASMR (2019/1990) was −26.7% and 10.0% for HBV and HCV, respectively. While the ASMR of HBV decreased, HCV increased during this period. The percentage change in ASMR of HBV was highest in countries with high–middle SDI and lowest in countries with high SDI. For HCV, the percentage change in ASMR was highest in countries with high SDI (increase), and only in countries with low SDI did it decrease. The global HBV and HCV rates have fallen with different AAPCs associated with the SDI. Despite the advances, there is still a long way to go to achieve the 2030 elimination goals. An important challenge is related to finding a way to speed up the yearly rate at which the decline is happening. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Elimination of Viral Hepatitis)
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26 pages, 4274 KiB  
Article
Non-Invasive Prediction Scores for Hepatitis B Virus- and Hepatitis D Virus-Infected Patients—A Cohort from the North-Eastern Part of Romania
by Laura Iulia Grecu, Camelia Sultana, Mariana Pavel-Tanasa, Simona Maria Ruta, Mihaela Chivu-Economescu, Lilia Matei, Ramona Gabriela Ursu, Elena Iftimi and Luminita Smaranda Iancu
Microorganisms 2023, 11(12), 2895; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11122895 - 30 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1191
Abstract
Approximately 62–72 million people are infected worldwide with HDV. Patients with chronic hepatitis D (CHD) have a higher risk of developing cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and an increased mortality rate compared to those with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The stage of liver [...] Read more.
Approximately 62–72 million people are infected worldwide with HDV. Patients with chronic hepatitis D (CHD) have a higher risk of developing cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and an increased mortality rate compared to those with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The stage of liver fibrosis or the risk of developing HCC can also be estimated by non-invasive scores, which are cost effective, easier to apply, and reproducible. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of four non-invasive scores (FIB-4, APRI, AST/ALT ratio, and aMAP) in assessing severe fibrosis/cirrhosis and the presence of HCC in patients with HBV/HDV superinfection, as compared with HBV mono-infection. Our 8-year retrospective analysis revealed that HDV-infected patients had a 2–3 times higher risk of developing cirrhosis and HCC than HBV-mono-infected subjects. High AST and ALT baseline levels qualified as independent predictors for cirrhosis development in both groups. The following fibrosis scores, FIB-4, APRI score, and AAR, were significantly increased when cirrhosis was present at baseline and showed a good prediction for developing cirrhosis in the CHD group. The aMAP score, a risk predictor for HCC, showed significantly higher values in patients with HCC in both groups. Nonetheless, non-invasive scores should always be considered for monitoring patients with CHB and CHD, but only when associated with other diagnosis methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Elimination of Viral Hepatitis)
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16 pages, 1724 KiB  
Article
Immunoinformatics and Evaluation of Peptide Vaccines Derived from Global Hepatitis B Viral HBx and HBc Proteins Critical for Covalently Closed Circular DNA Integrity
by Umar Saeed, Zahra Zahid Piracha, Salman Alrokayan, Tajamul Hussain, Fahad N. Almajhdi and Yasir Waheed
Microorganisms 2023, 11(12), 2826; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11122826 - 21 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1053
Abstract
The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) HBx and HBc proteins play a crucial role in associating with covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the primary factor contributing to intrahepatic viral persistence and a major obstacle in achieving a cure for HBV. The cccDNA serves as [...] Read more.
The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) HBx and HBc proteins play a crucial role in associating with covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the primary factor contributing to intrahepatic viral persistence and a major obstacle in achieving a cure for HBV. The cccDNA serves as a reservoir for viral persistence. Targeting the viral HBc and HBx proteins’ interaction with cccDNA could potentially limit HBV replication. In this study, we present epitopes identified from global consensus sequences of HBx and HBc proteins that have the potential to serve as targets for the development of effective vaccine candidates. Furthermore, conserved residues identified through this analysis can be utilized in designing novel, site-specific anti-HBV agents capable of targeting all major genotypes of HBV. Our approach involved designing global consensus sequences for HBx and HBc proteins, enabling the analysis of variable regions and highly conserved motifs. These identified motifs and regions offer potent sites for the development of peptide vaccines, the design of site-specific RNA interference, and the creation of anti-HBV inhibitors. The epitopes derived from global consensus sequences of HBx and HBc proteins emerge as promising targets for the development of effective vaccine candidates. Additionally, the conserved residues identified provide valuable insights for the development of innovative, site-specific anti-HBV agents capable of targeting all major genotypes of HBV from A to J. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Elimination of Viral Hepatitis)
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14 pages, 2090 KiB  
Article
Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B and C Viruses Revealed by Continuous Surveillance from 2015 to 2021 in Gabon, Central Africa
by Haruka Abe, Yuri Ushijima, Rodrigue Bikangui, Georgelin Nguema Ondo, Christelle M. Pemba, Vahid R. Zadeh, Patrick I. Mpingabo, Hayato Ueda, Selidji T. Agnandji, Bertrand Lell and Jiro Yasuda
Microorganisms 2023, 11(8), 2046; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11082046 - 09 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1332
Abstract
Viral hepatitis remains one of the largest public health concerns worldwide. Especially in Central Africa, information on hepatitis virus infections has been limited, although the prevalence in this region has been reported to be higher than the global average. To reveal the current [...] Read more.
Viral hepatitis remains one of the largest public health concerns worldwide. Especially in Central Africa, information on hepatitis virus infections has been limited, although the prevalence in this region has been reported to be higher than the global average. To reveal the current status of hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infections and the genetic diversity of the viruses, we conducted longitudinal surveillance in Gabon. We detected 22 HBV and 9 HCV infections in 2047 patients with febrile illness. Genetic analyses of HBV identified subgenotype A1 for the first time in Gabon and an insertion generating a frameshift to create an X-preC/C fusion protein. We also revealed that most of the detected HCVs belonged to the “Gabon-specific” HCV subtype 4e (HCV-4e), and the entire nucleotide sequence of the HCV-4e polyprotein was determined to establish the first reference sequence. The HCV-4e strains possessed resistance-associated substitutions similar to those of other HCV-4 strains, indicating that the use of direct-acting antiviral therapy may be complex. These results provide a better understanding of the current situation of hepatitis B and C virus infections in Central Africa and will help public health organizations develop effective countermeasures to eliminate chronic viral hepatitis in this region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Elimination of Viral Hepatitis)
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15 pages, 1668 KiB  
Article
Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection in Indigenous Communities in Colombia
by Melissa Montoya-Guzman, Jaime Martinez, Diana Castro-Arroyave, Carlos Rojas and Maria-Cristina Navas
Microorganisms 2023, 11(7), 1739; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11071739 - 03 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1496
Abstract
Despite the universal vaccination program, there are still regions and territories with a high prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus infection (HBV), such as the Amazon basin, where several indigenous communities live. Additionally, Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) is a defective that requires the hepatitis [...] Read more.
Despite the universal vaccination program, there are still regions and territories with a high prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus infection (HBV), such as the Amazon basin, where several indigenous communities live. Additionally, Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) is a defective that requires the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for the assembly and release of de novo viral particles. Therefore, hepatitis D could be the result of HBV/HDV coinfection or HDV superinfection in individuals with chronic hepatitis B. Among the high prevalence HDV populations are indigenous communities of America. This study aims to describe and characterize the frequency of HBV and HDV infection, viral genotypes and HBV immune escape mutants in indigenous populations from different regions of Colombia. The diagnosis of hepatitis B and hepatitis D was confirmed by serological markers. Moreover, the HBV and HDV genome were amplified by PCR and RT-PCR, respectively, and, subsequently, the phylogenetic analysis was performed. We characterized 47 cases of chronic hepatitis B, 1 case of reactivation and 2 cases of occult hepatitis B infection (OBI). Furthermore, a high prevalence of HDV infection was identified in the study population (29.33%, 22/75) and the circulation of several HBV genotypes and subgenotypes (F1b, F3, F4, and D). Interestingly, this is the first report of the HDV genotype I circulation in this country. These findings demonstrated that HBV and HDV infections are still public health problems in indigenous communities in Colombia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Control and Elimination of Viral Hepatitis)
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