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Frankova S, Uzlova N, Merta D, Pitova V, Sperl J. Predictors of Significant Liver Fibrosis in People with Chronic Hepatitis C Who Inject Drugs in the Czech Republic. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:932. [PMID: 37109461 PMCID: PMC10144836 DOI: 10.3390/life13040932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES HCV infection often remains untreated in people who inject drugs (PWID), albeit they may present with advanced liver fibrosis at a young age. We aimed to assess the rate of patients with significant fibrosis in PWID starting anti-HCV therapy and identify the factors associated with severe fibrosis. METHODS The cohort of 200 patients was divided into two groups: F0-F2 (N = 154, 77%), patients with liver stiffness measurement (LSM) < 10.0 kPa, and F3-F4 (N = 46, 23%), with LSM ≥ 10.0 kPa, indicating significant liver fibrosis. RESULTS In group F3-F4, there were significantly more males, and the patients were older, with a higher BMI. The number of long-term abstaining patients was significantly higher in group F3-F4 compared with group F0-F2, as well as the proportion of patients reporting harmful drinking. Obesity (OR 4.77), long-term abstinence from illicit drugs (OR 4.06), harmful drinking (OR 2.83), and older age (OR 1.17) were significant predictors of advanced fibrosis in PWID starting anti-HCV therapy. CONCLUSIONS A quarter of PWID presented with significant liver fibrosis at treatment initiation. Obesity, long-term drug abstinence, harmful drinking, and older age contributed to significant liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sona Frankova
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Uzlova
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, 10034 Prague, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 10034 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dusan Merta
- Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021 Prague, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 12108 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Pitova
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021 Prague, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 12108 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Sperl
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 14021 Prague, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 12108 Prague, Czech Republic
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2
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Bregenzer A, Krismer C, Wendel S, Roser P, Fux CA. HCV elimination in a Swiss opioid agonist therapy programme - a cohort study. Swiss Med Wkly 2022; 152:40009. [PMID: 36509421 DOI: 10.57187/smw.2022.40009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In opioid agonist therapy (OAT) programmes, chronic hepatitis C is highly prevalent and directly observed therapy guarantees optimal adherence. Since 2017, all patients with chronic hepatitis C in Switzerland can be treated with pangenotypic direct-acting antivirals irrespective of liver fibrosis stage. Until the end of 2021, however, prescription was restricted to infectious disease specialists, gastroenterologists and certain addiction specialists. Difficult venous access after long-term intravenous drug use and, in the case of referral to a specialist, difficulties keeping appointments are barriers to HCV diagnosis and treatment. AIMS To assess whether minimally invasive point-of-care tests and a "test-and-treat / vaccinate on-site" approach can improve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening, HCV treatment uptake and immunity against hepatitis A/B. METHODS Since September 2018, an infectious disease specialist and a study nurse performed 4-weekly visits in the OAT programme "HAG" (heroin dispensation of the canton Aargau), offering HIV/HCV antibody rapid testing (20 min) and HCV RNA quantification (GeneXpert®, 60 min) from capillary blood, noninvasive liver fibrosis assessment (Fibroscan®, 5-10 min) and HCV treatment prescription on-site. Recommended venous blood draws for HAV/HBV serology and HAV/HBV vaccinations were performed by the staff of the "HAG". Project performance was assessed by annual cross-sectional chart review. RESULTS Of the 128 patients registered in April 2018, 79 (62%) were still present in May 2021. With 72 newly registered, a total of 200 patients could be assessed, of whom 129 (65%) were still present in May 2021. Between April 2018 and May 2021, the proportion ever tested for HIV antibodies increased from 79% (101/128) to 91% (117/129), the proportion ever tested for HCV antibodies from 83% (106/128) to 93% (120/129) and the proportion of those HCV antibody positive ever tested for HCV RNA tested from 89% (47/53) to 98% (56/57). The proportion with adequate HCV management (last HCV antibody test ≤1 year ago, if HCV antibody negative or last HCV RNA test ≤1 year ago, if HCV antibody-positive and RNA-negative) improved from 23% ([15 + 15]/128) to 80% ([55 + 48]/129). Overall, HCV treatment uptake increased from 60% (21/35) to 92% (55/60) and HCV RNA prevalence among the HCV antibody positives decreased from 38% (18/47) to 7% (6/84). Between 2018 and 2021, 19 non-cirrhotic chronic hepatitis C patients were successfully treated on-site (18 sustained virological responses [SVR] 12, 1 SVR4), with excellent adherence (≥93%) and, so far, no reinfection. The proportion with known HAV/HBV serostatus increased from 38%/51% to 64%/76%. Immunity against HAV/HBV improved from 19%/23% to 50%/57%. CONCLUSION Capillary blood point-of-care tests and a "test-and-treat / vaccinate on-site" approach remove crucial barriers to diagnosis and treatment, making hepatitis elimination in OAT programmes achievable. A high fluctuation rate requires HIV/HCV/HAV/HBV testing at admission, but also allows more patients to be screened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bregenzer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Krismer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Wendel
- Outpatient Centre for Opioid Agonist Therapy (HAG), Department of Addictive Disorders, Psychiatric Services Aargau, Brugg, Switzerland
| | - Patrik Roser
- Outpatient Centre for Opioid Agonist Therapy (HAG), Department of Addictive Disorders, Psychiatric Services Aargau, Brugg, Switzerland.,LVR-Hospital Essen, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph A Fux
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Hygiene, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Switzerland
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Reexamining Povarov Reaction’s Scope and Limitation in the Generation of HCV-NS4A Peptidomimetics. HETEROATOM CHEMISTRY 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/8181543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic Hepatitis C is a global health threat and a silent killer. Regardless of the profound progress in preventing and treating this disease, research continues to discover new direct antiviral agents (DAAs), especially against novel targets. Our research has been directed to leverage the NS4A binding site to develop peptidomimetic inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease. In previous reports, we could provide evidence of tunability of this site by peptide and nonpeptide NS3/4A inhibitors. In this report, we used structure-based techniques to design 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,7-naphthyridine derivative as NS4A core mimics that cover the region between residues Ile-25′ to Arg-28′. The synthetic plan featured the Povarov reaction as an efficient strategy to construct the 1,7-naphthyridine core. Although this reaction has been reported in many literatures, critical assessments for its scope and limitations are scarce. In our work, we found that Povarov was extremely sensitive to alkene and aldehyde reactants. Moreover, using pyridine amines was not as successful as anilines. The most striking results were the lack of stability of compounds during purification and storage. The four compounds that survived the stability problems (1a-1d) did not show significant binding potency with NS3, because their structures were too simple to resemble the originally planned compounds.
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Frankova S, Jandova Z, Jinochova G, Kreidlova M, Merta D, Sperl J. Therapy of chronic hepatitis C in people who inject drugs: focus on adherence. Harm Reduct J 2021; 18:69. [PMID: 34193156 PMCID: PMC8247095 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-021-00519-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intravenous drug use (IVDU) represents the major factor of HCV transmission, but the treatment uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID) remains low owing to a false presumption of low efficacy. The aim of our study was to assess treatment efficacy in PWID and factors determining adherence to therapy. Methods A total of 278 consecutive patients starting DAA (direct-acting antivirals) therapy were included, divided into two groups: individuals with a history of IVDU, PWID group (N = 101) and the control group (N = 177) without a history of IVDU. Results Sustained virological response 12 weeks after the end of therapy (SVR12) was achieved by 99/101 (98%) and 172/177 (98%) patients in the PWID and control group, respectively; in PWID group, two patients were lost to follow-up, and in the control group, four patients relapsed and one was lost to follow-up. PWID patients postponed appointments significantly more often, 29 (28.7%) in PWID versus 7 (4%) in the control group, p = 0.001. Thirteen of 101 (12.9%) and six of 177 (3.4%) patients in the PWID and in the control group, respectively, missed at least one visit (p < 0.01). However, postponing visits led to a lack of medication in only one PWID. In the PWID group, older age (p < 0.05; OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00–1.20) and stable housing (p < 0.01; OR 9.70, 95% CI 2.10–56.20) were factors positively contributing to adherence. Contrarily, a stable job was a factor negatively influencing adherence (p < 0.05; OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.06–0.81). In the control group, none of the analyzed social and demographic factors had an impact on adherence to therapy. Conclusions In PWID, treatment efficacy was excellent and was comparable with SVR of the control group. Stable housing and older age contributed to a better adherence to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sona Frankova
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Videnska 1958/9, 14021, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Zuzana Jandova
- Psychiatric Hospital Havlickuv Brod, Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic.,First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Gabriela Jinochova
- Psychiatric Hospital Havlickuv Brod, Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic.,Addiction Centre Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Miluse Kreidlova
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, First Faculty of Medicine Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dusan Merta
- Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Sperl
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Videnska 1958/9, 14021, Prague, Czech Republic.,First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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5
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Barriers to the Treatment of Hepatitis C among Predominantly African American Patients Seeking Care in an Urban Teaching Hospital in Washington, D.C. J Natl Med Assoc 2020; 113:147-157. [PMID: 32868101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnma.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, it is estimated that 2.4 million people are currently infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). In order to address HCV infection management in the U.S., several government entities collaborated to develop and release a multistep plan for the prevention, care, and treatment of viral hepatitis. Optimal health outcomes from the plan are contingent upon addressing each of the several steps in the HCV care cascade. Among the critical challenging steps is linkage to care and access to treatment. Of the nearly three million people in the U.S. infected with HCV, only 43% have been linked to care, 16% have received treatment, and 9% have had their infection resolved. OBJECTIVE This retrospective study aims to identify predictors within the HCV treatment cascade that contribute to failures in care of HCV-infected patients in an urban hospital setting located in the District of Columbia. SETTING The outpatient clinics of a tertiary-care urban teaching hospital. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted using electronic medical records of persons 18 years and older who were HCV antibody positive and had at least one visit at any of the outpatient clinics from August 1, 2015 to August 1, 2016. Descriptive analysis of HCV positive persons was conducted, and predictors of HCV treatment were assessed. RESULTS A total of 252 patients were included in the study. Overall, patients were predominantly male (63.1%), African American (97.6%), under the age of 65 (71.4%), covered by public insurance (89.3%), and were diagnosed with HCV after the year 2001 (53.2%). Additionally, majority of patients had not been treated for their HCV infection (58%). Multiple barriers resulted in HCV infected patients not obtaining access to treatment. Fibrosis stage (p < 0.001) and prior insurance denial (p < 0.05) were significant predictors of HCV treatment. Age, gender, insurance type, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, and year of HCV diagnosis were not associated with limited access of HCV treatment. CONCLUSION HCV infections remain a major public health concern among patients in the District of Columbia. This study identified fibrosis stage and prior insurance denial as primary barriers to access of HCV treatment. While there are many points in the hepatitis cascade of care in which patients can lose access to or fail treatment completion, the primary point of intervention in our patient population appears to be during the initiation of treatment and insurance prior authorization process.
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Ploss A, Kapoor A. Animal Models of Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2020; 10:cshperspect.a036970. [PMID: 31843875 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important and underreported infectious disease, causing chronic infection in ∼71 million people worldwide. The limited host range of HCV, which robustly infects only humans and chimpanzees, has made studying this virus in vivo challenging and hampered the development of a desperately needed vaccine. The restrictions and ethical concerns surrounding biomedical research in chimpanzees has made the search for an animal model all the more important. In this review, we discuss different approaches that are being pursued toward creating small animal models for HCV infection. Although efforts to use a nonhuman primate species besides chimpanzees have proven challenging, important advances have been achieved in a variety of humanized mouse models. However, such models still fall short of the overarching goal to have an immunocompetent, inheritably susceptible in vivo platform in which the immunopathology of HCV could be studied and putative vaccines development. Alternatives to overcome this include virus adaptation, such as murine-tropic HCV strains, or the use of related hepaciviruses, of which many have been recently identified. Of the latter, the rodent/rat hepacivirus from Rattus norvegicus species-1 (RHV-rn1) holds promise as a surrogate virus in fully immunocompetent rats that can inform our understanding of the interaction between the immune response and viral outcomes (i.e., clearance vs. persistence). However, further characterization of these animal models is necessary before their use for gaining new insights into the immunopathogenesis of HCV and for conceptualizing HCV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA
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7
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Management of Hepatitis C in Delaware Prisons: : Approaching Microenvironmental Eradication. Dela J Public Health 2019; 5:20-27. [PMID: 34467026 PMCID: PMC8396757 DOI: 10.32481/djph.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been transformed due to the arrival of HCV-specific Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs), which are safer, more effective, and better tolerated than the interferon-based therapies that preceded them. Compared with community healthcare systems, many prison healthcare systems have been slower to adopt the routine use of HCV DAAs despite the fact that HCV infection disproportionately affects individuals in correctional institutions. In 2015, the Delaware Department of Correction (DDOC) launched a treatment program that prioritized treatment for patients who were at greatest risk of disease complications. To date, 327/345 (95%) of eligible current HCV patients have initiated DAA therapy. A total of 196/199 (98.4%) patients who have initiated treatment and who have post-treatment data available have achieved sustained virologic response, defined as undetectable HCV viral load 12 weeks after treatment. Applying a concept of microenvironmental eradication, it can reasonably be concluded that that DDOC is approaching this benchmark with regard to chronic HCV infection and will soon enter a “maintenance phase,” during which it will be feasible to treat new cases of HCV in real time. Correctional systems with significant numbers of untreated hepatitis C patients may want to consider implementing HCV treatment programs that focus on cost-effectiveness and prioritize treatment for patients who are at greatest risk of disease complications.
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8
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Thomas
- From the Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore
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9
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Bartholomew TS, Grosgebauer K, Huynh K, Cos T. Integration of Hepatitis C Treatment in a Primary care Federally Qualified Health Center; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2015-2017. Infect Dis (Lond) 2019; 12:1178633719841381. [PMID: 31065216 PMCID: PMC6488784 DOI: 10.1177/1178633719841381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a pressing public health issue. Identification of long term infection in primary care settings and community health centers can facilitate patients' access to appropriate care. Given the increase in HCV prevalence in the United States, improving the HCV care continuum and expanding medication access to disproportionately affected populations can help reduce disease burden, health care system costs, and transmission. Innovative treatment programs developed in the primary care setting are needed to deliver quality care to meet the demand of those engaging in treatment. This article describes an HCV treatment program developed within a primary care federally qualified health center (FQHC) using physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) to address the high number of HCV positive patients identified at the clinic. An interdisciplinary care team was established to optimize patient experience around HCV care and treatment, using on-site primary care behavioral health consultants, an HCV treatment coordinator, and a 340B contracted specialty pharmacy. From January 2015 to April 2017, the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) Care Clinic medical providers referred 189 patients for HCV treatment. Of those referred, 102 patients successfully obtained a sustained virologic response (SVR), representing a 53.7% success rate from referral to cure. This treatment program successfully integrated HCV treatment in a patient population heavily affected by substance use and mental illness. Support and adoption of similar programs in primary care community health centers testing for HCV can help meet the clinical/behavioral needs of these marginalized populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler S Bartholomew
- National Nurse-Led Care Consortium,
Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences,
Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Kaitlin Grosgebauer
- Department of Public Health Sciences,
Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Travis Cos
- Public Health Management Corporation,
Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychology, La Salle
University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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10
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Abstract
In spite of the immense progress in hepatitis C virus (HCV) research, efforts to prevent infection, such as generating a vaccine, have not yet been successful. The high price tag associated with current treatment options for chronic infection and the spike in new infections concurrent with growing opioid abuse are strong motivators for developing effective immunization and understanding neutralizing antibodies' role in preventing infection. Humanized mice-both human liver chimeras as well as genetically humanized models-are important platforms for testing both possible vaccine candidates as well as antibody-based therapies. This chapter details the variety of ways humanized mouse technology can be employed in pursuit of learning how HCV infection can be prevented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna M Gaska
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Qiang Ding
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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11
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Saab S, Le L, Saggi S, Sundaram V, Tong MJ. Toward the elimination of hepatitis C in the United States. Hepatology 2018; 67:2449-2459. [PMID: 29181853 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents has reignited discussion over the potential for hepatitis C elimination in the United States. Eliminating hepatitis C will require a critical examination of technical feasibility, economic considerations, and social/political attention. Tremendous advancement has been made with the availability of sensitive diagnostic tests and highly effective DAAs capable of achieving sustained viral response (SVR) in more than 95% of patients. Eliminating hepatitis C also requires escalating existing surveillance networks to monitor for new epidemics. All preventive interventions such as clean syringe and needle exchange programs, safe injection sites, opioid substitution therapies, and mental health services need to be expanded. Although costs of DAAs have raised budget concerns for hepatitis C elimination, studies have shown that eliminating hepatitis C will produce a savings of up to 6.5 billion USD annually along with other intangible benefits such as increased work productivity and quality of life. Economic models and meta-analyses strongly suggest universal hepatitis C screening for all adults rather than just for birth cohort and high-risk populations. Social and political factors are at least as important as technical feasibility and economic considerations. Due to lack of promotion and public awareness, HCV elimination efforts continue to receive inadequate funding. Social stigma continues to impede meaningful policy changes. Eliminating hepatitis C is an attainable public health goal that will require intense collaboration and sustained public support. (Hepatology 2018;67:2449-2459).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sammy Saab
- Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Long Le
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Satvir Saggi
- Olive View Medical Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Vinay Sundaram
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
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12
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Northrop JM. A dirty little secret: stigma, shame and hepatitis C in the health setting. MEDICAL HUMANITIES 2017; 43:218-224. [PMID: 28363990 DOI: 10.1136/medhum-2016-011099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
While recent medical innovation shows great promise in treating hepatitis C (HCV), it remains a condition associated with profound stigma. HCV is a bloodborne virus (BBV) most commonly transmitted in high-income countries by injecting drug use, and it is the stigmatising association between the two which is deeply problematic for those with HCV. A qualitative study undertaken in 2002 found that disclosure in health settings places those with HCV in positions of pronounced vulnerability. Disclosure is a primal scene, an interface, where the stigma of HCV, replete with connotations of disease and deviance, potentially transforms those affected into shamed subjects. Standard precautions protect health workers and minimise the transmission of contagion, measures which, in theory, also mitigate the requirement of those with BBVs to unnecessarily disclose their blood status. However, questions on pre-employment health checks, concerns that health treatments might adversely affect the liver and an ethical need to pre-emptively inform healthcare professionals undertaking exposure prone procedures are occasions when those with HCV confront the decision to disclose their blood status. This paper employs Goffman's model of actual and virtual social identities, along with Douglas' notion of dirt and pollution, to examine the dilemmas around disclosure those with HCV negotiate within the health setting. Discriminatory responses by healthcare professionals elucidate the stigmatising potential HCV carries. The subsequent reticence by those with HCV to disclose their blood status risks less than optimum healthcare. Recent studies indicate that stigma occurring in health settings remains a perennial concern for those with HCV.
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13
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Yeh MM, Boukhar S, Roberts B, Dasgupta N, Daoud SS. Genomic variants link to hepatitis C racial disparities. Oncotarget 2017; 8:59455-59475. [PMID: 28938650 PMCID: PMC5601746 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases are one of the major public health issues in United States, and there are substantial racial disparities in liver cancer-related mortality. We previously identified racially distinct alterations in the expression of transcripts and proteins of hepatitis C (HCV)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) between Caucasian (CA) and African American (AA) subgroups. Here, we performed a comparative genome-wide analysis of normal vs. HCV+ (cirrhotic state), and normal adjacent tissues (HCCN) vs. HCV+HCC (tumor state) of CA at the gene and alternative splicing levels using Affymetrix Human Transcriptome Array (HTA2.0). Many genes and splice variants were abnormally expressed in HCV+ more than in HCV+HCC state compared with normal tissues. Known biological pathways related to cell cycle regulations were altered in HCV+HCC, whereas acute phase reactants were deregulated in HCV+ state. We confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR that SAA1, PCNA-AS1, DAB2, and IFI30 are differentially deregulated, especially in AA compared with CA samples. Likewise, IHC staining analysis revealed altered expression patterns of SAA1 and HNF4α isoforms in HCV+ liver samples of AA compared with CA. These results demonstrate that several splice variants are primarily deregulated in normal vs. HCV+ stage, which is certainly in line with the recent observations showing that the pre-mRNA splicing machinery may be profoundly remodeled during disease progression, and may, therefore, play a major role in HCV racial disparity. The confirmation that certain genes are deregulated in AA compared to CA tissues also suggests that there is a biological basis for the observed racial disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Yeh
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sarag Boukhar
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Benjamin Roberts
- The Liver Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Nairanjana Dasgupta
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Sayed S Daoud
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University Health Sciences, Spokane, WA 99210, USA
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14
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Moreno GA, Wang A, Sánchez González Y, Díaz Espinosa O, Vania DK, Edlin BR, Brookmeyer R. Value of Comprehensive HCV Treatment among Vulnerable, High-Risk Populations. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2017; 20:736-744. [PMID: 28577690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2017.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to explore the trade-offs society and payers make when expanding treatment access to patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in early stages of disease as well as to vulnerable, high-risk populations, such as people who inject drugs (PWID) and HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM-HIV). METHODS A discrete time Markov model simulated HCV progression and treatment over 20 years. Population cohorts were defined by behaviors that influence the risk of HCV exposure: PWID, MSM-HIV, an overlap cohort of individuals who are both PWID and MSM-HIV, and all other adults. Six different treatment scenarios were modeled, with varying degrees of access to treatment at different fibrosis stages and to different risk cohorts. Benefits were measured as quality-adjusted life-years and a $150,000/quality-adjusted life-year valuation was used to assess social benefits. RESULTS Compared with limiting treatment to METAVIR fibrosis stages F3 or F4 and excluding PWID, expanding treatment to patients in all fibrosis stages and including PWID reduces cumulative new infections by 55% over a 20-year horizon and reduces the prevalence of HCV by 93%. We find that treating all HCV-infected individuals is cost saving and net social benefits are over $500 billion greater compared with limiting treatment. Including PWID in treatment access saves 12,900 to 41,200 lives. CONCLUSIONS Increased access to treatment brings substantial value to society and over the long-term reduces costs for payers, as the benefits accrued from long-term reduction in prevalent and incident cases, mortality, and medical costs outweigh the cost of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Brian R Edlin
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Ronald Brookmeyer
- Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Risk factors for hepatitis C seropositivity among young people who inject drugs in New York City: Implications for prevention. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177341. [PMID: 28542351 PMCID: PMC5438142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant problem in the United States, with people who inject drugs (PWID) disproportionately afflicted. Over the last decade rates of heroin use have more than doubled, with young persons (18–25 years) demonstrating the largest increase. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in New York City from 2005 to 2012 among young people who injected illicit drugs, and were age 18 to 35 or had injected drugs for ≤5 years, to examine potentially modifiable factors associated with HCV among young adults who began injecting during the era of syringe services. Results Among 714 participants, the median age was 24 years; the median duration of drug injection was 5 years; 31% were women; 75% identified as white; 69% reported being homeless; and 48% [95% CI 44–52] had HCV antibodies. Factors associated with HCV included older age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.99 [1.52–2.63]; p<0.001), longer duration of injection drug use (AOR, 1.68 [1.39–2.02]; p<0.001),more frequent injection (AOR, 1.26 [1.09–1.45]; p = 0.001), using a used syringe with more individuals (AOR, 1.26 [1.10–1.46]; p = 0.001), less confidence in remaining uninfected (AOR, 1.32 [1.07–1.63]; p<0.001), injecting primarily in public or outdoors spaces (AOR, 1.90 [1.33–2.72]; p<0.001), and arrest for carrying syringes (AOR, 3.17 [1.95–5.17]; p<0.001). Conclusions Despite the availability of harm reduction services, the seroprevalence of HCV in young PWID in New York City remained high and constant during 2005–2012. Age and several injection behaviors conferred independent risk. Individuals were somewhat aware of their own risk. Public and outdoor injection and arrest for possession of a syringe are risk factors for HCV that can be modified through structural interventions.
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16
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Anderson ES, Galbraith JW, Deering LJ, Pfeil SK, Todorovic T, Rodgers JB, Forsythe JM, Franco R, Wang H, Wang NE, White DAE. Continuum of Care for Hepatitis C Virus Among Patients Diagnosed in the Emergency Department Setting. Clin Infect Dis 2017; 64:1540-1546. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/cix163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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17
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Akiyama MJ, Kaba F, Rosner Z, Alper H, Kopolow A, Litwin AH, Venters H, MacDonald R. Correlates of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the Targeted Testing Program of the New York City Jail System. Public Health Rep 2016; 132:41-47. [PMID: 28005477 PMCID: PMC5298495 DOI: 10.1177/0033354916679367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to understand predictors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positivity in a large urban jail system in New York City. METHODS We examined demographic characteristics, risk behaviors, and HCV antibody prevalence among 10 790 jail inmates aged 16 to 86 who were screened from June 13, 2013, to June 13, 2014, based on birth cohort or conventional high-risk criteria. We used logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of HCV antibody positivity. RESULTS Of the 10 790 inmates screened, 2221 (20.6%) were HCV antibody positive. In the multivariate analysis, HCV antibody positivity was associated most strongly with injection drug use (IDU; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 35.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 28.5-43.0). Women were more likely than men to be infected with HCV (aOR = 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.5). Compared with non-Hispanic black people, Hispanic (aOR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.8-2.4) and non-Hispanic white (aOR = 1.7; 95% CI, 1.5-2.1) people were more likely to be infected with HCV. Non-IDU, recidivism, HIV infection, homelessness, mental illness, and lower education level were all significantly associated with HCV infection. The prevalence rate of HCV infection among a subset of inmates born after 1965 who denied IDU and were not infected with HIV was 5.6% (198 of 3529). Predictors of HCV infection among this group included non-IDU as well as being non-Hispanic white, Hispanic, recidivist, and homeless. CONCLUSION These data reveal differences in HCV infection by sex, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomics in a large jail population, suggesting that a focused public health intervention is required and that universal screening may be warranted. Further sensitivity and cost-benefit analyses are needed to make this determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Akiyama
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Fatos Kaba
- New York City Health + Hospitals Correctional Health Services, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zachary Rosner
- New York City Health + Hospitals Correctional Health Services, New York, NY, USA
| | - Howard Alper
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Aimee Kopolow
- New York City Health + Hospitals Correctional Health Services, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alain H. Litwin
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Homer Venters
- New York City Health + Hospitals Correctional Health Services, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ross MacDonald
- New York City Health + Hospitals Correctional Health Services, New York, NY, USA
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State of the Art, Unresolved Issues, and Future Research Directions in the Fight against Hepatitis C Virus: Perspectives for Screening, Diagnostics of Resistances, and Immunization. J Immunol Res 2016; 2016:1412840. [PMID: 27843956 PMCID: PMC5098088 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1412840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) still represents a major public health threat, with a dramatic burden from both epidemiological and clinical points of view. New generation of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has been recently introduced in clinical practice promising to cure HCV and to overcome the issues related to the interferon-based therapies. However, the emergence of drug resistance and the suboptimal activity of DAAs therapies against diverse HCV genotypes have been observed, determining treatment failure and hampering an effective control of HCV spread worldwide. Moreover, these treatments remain poorly accessible, particularly in low-income countries. Finally, effective screening strategy is crucial to early identifying and treating all HCV chronically infected patients. For all these reasons, even though new drugs may contribute to impacting HCV spread worldwide a preventive HCV vaccine remains a cornerstone in the road to significantly reduce the HCV spread globally, with the ultimate goal of its eradication. Advances in molecular vaccinology, together with a strong financial, political, and societal support, will enable reaching this fundamental success in the coming years. In this comprehensive review, the state of the art about these major topics in the fight against HCV and the future of research in these fields are discussed.
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Taylor AL, Denniston MM, Klevens RM, McKnight-Eily LR, Jiles RB. Association of Hepatitis C Virus With Alcohol Use Among U.S. Adults: NHANES 2003-2010. Am J Prev Med 2016; 51:206-215. [PMID: 27178884 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Excessive alcohol use exacerbates morbidity and mortality among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected people. The purpose of this study was to describe self-reported patterns of alcohol use and examine the association with HCV infection and other sociodemographic and health-related factors. METHODS Data from 20,042 participants in the 2003-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed in 2014. Estimates were derived for self-reported demographic characteristics, HCV-RNA (indicative of current HCV infection) status, and alcohol use at four levels: lifetime abstainers, former drinkers, non-excessive current drinkers, and excessive current drinkers. RESULTS Former drinkers and excessive current drinkers had a higher prevalence of HCV infection (2.2% and 1.5%, respectively) than never or non-excessive current drinkers (0.4% and 0.9%, respectively). HCV-infected adults were estimated to ever drink five or more drinks/day almost every day at some time during their lifetime about 3.3 times more often (43.8% vs 13.7%, p<0.001) than those who were never infected with HCV. Controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and having a usual source of health care, HCV infection was significantly associated with excessive current drinking (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.3; 95% CI=1.1, 1.6) and former drinking (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.3; 95% CI=1.1, 1.6). CONCLUSIONS Chronic HCV infection is associated with both former and excessive current drinking. Public health HCV strategies should implement interventions with emphasis on alcohol abuse, which negatively impacts disease progression for HCV-infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber L Taylor
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia;.
| | - Maxine M Denniston
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - R Monina Klevens
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Lela R McKnight-Eily
- Division of Population Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ruth B Jiles
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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20
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Schwartz RE, Bram Y, Frankel A. Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocyte-like Cells: A Tool to Study Infectious Disease. CURRENT PATHOBIOLOGY REPORTS 2016; 4:147-156. [PMID: 29910973 DOI: 10.1007/s40139-016-0113-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Liver disease is an important clinical and global problem and is the 16th leading cause of death worldwide and responsible for 1 million deaths worldwide each year. Infectious disease is a major cause of liver disease specifically and overall is even a greater cause of patient morbidity and mortality. Tools to study human liver disease and infectious disease have been lacking which has significantly hampered the study of liver disease generally and hepatotropic pathogens more specifically. Historically, hepatoma cell lines have been used for in vitro cell culture models to study infectious disease. Significant differences between human hepatoma cell lines and the human hepatocyte has hampered our understanding of hepatocyte pathogen infection and hepatocyte--pathogen interactions. Recent Findings Despite these limitations, great progress was made in the understanding of specific aspects of the life cycle of the canonical hepatocyte viral pathogen, Hepatitis C Virus. Over time various specific drugs targeting various proteins of the HCV virion or aspects of the HCV viral life cycle have been created that enable almost complete elimination of the virus in vitro and clinically. These drugs, direct-acting antivirals have enabled achieving sustained virologic response in over 90-95 percent of patients. Summary Despite the development of direct-acting antivirals and the extreme success in achieving sustained virologic response, there has only been limited success elucidating host-pathogen interactions largely due to the poor nature of the hepatoma platform. Alternative approaches are needed. Pluripotent stem cells are renewable, can be derived from a single donor and can be efficiently and reproducibly differentiated towards many cell types including ectodermal-, endodermal-, and mesodermal-derived lineages. The development of pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells (iHLCS) changes the paradigm as robust cells with the phenotype and function of hepatocytes can be readily created on demand with a variety of genetic background or alterations. iHLCs are readily used as models to study human drug metabolism, human liver disease, and human hepatotropic infectious disease. In this review, we discuss the biology of the HCV virus, the use of iHLCs as models to study human liver disease, and review the current work on using iHLCs to study HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yaron Bram
- Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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21
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Frimpong JA, D'Aunno T, Helleringer S, Metsch LR. Spillover effects of HIV testing policies: changes in HIV testing guidelines and HCV testing practices in drug treatment programs in the United States. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:666. [PMID: 27473519 PMCID: PMC4966765 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3322-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To examine the extent to which state adoption of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2006 revisions to adult and adolescent HIV testing guidelines is associated with availability of other important prevention and medical services. We hypothesized that in states where the pretest counseling requirement for HIV testing was dropped from state legislation, substance use disorder treatment programs would have higher availability of HCV testing services than in states that had maintained this requirement. METHODS We analyzed a nationally representative sample of 383 opioid treatment programs from the 2005 and 2011 National Drug Abuse Treatment System Survey (NDATSS). Data were collected from program directors and clinical supervisors through telephone surveys. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to measure associations between state adoption of CDC recommended guidelines for HIV pretest counseling and availability of HCV testing services. RESULTS The effects of HIV testing legislative changes on HCV testing practices varied by type of opioid treatment program. In states that had removed the requirement for HIV pretest counseling, buprenorphine-only programs were more likely to offer HCV testing to their patients. The positive spillover effect of HIV pretest counseling policies, however, did not extend to methadone programs and did not translate into increased availability of on-site HCV testing in either program type. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight potential positive spillover effects of HIV testing policies on HCV testing practices. They also suggest that maximizing the benefits of HIV policies may require other initiatives, including resources and programmatic efforts that support systematic integration with other services and effective implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemima A Frimpong
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 600 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Thomas D'Aunno
- Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, New York University, 295 Lafayette Street, New York, NY, 10012, USA
| | - Stéphane Helleringer
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Lisa R Metsch
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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Access to treatment for hepatitis C virus infection: time to put patients first. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2016; 16:e196-e201. [PMID: 27421993 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(16)30005-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sound health policy puts patients first. Antiviral regimens approved in 2014 revolutionised treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Most patients can now be cured. These new regimens, however, were priced at US$83 320-150 000 for a 3-month course. Public and private payers in the USA responded by limiting coverage to patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis, keeping the drugs from being used to prevent those stages. These restrictions defy medical guidelines, lack scientific justification, and undermine public health efforts to stem transmission. Instead of reducing barriers to care, the system has erected new ones. As drug makers and payers battle over billions of dollars, the needs of patients have been cast aside. Physicians and governments have a duty to make sure health policy is driven by the needs of patients and public health. In this Personal View, I call upon these groups to lead the creation of a national consensus among all stakeholders that will allow the advances in therapeutics for HCV infection to be put to work to end the epidemic.
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Bensalem A, Selmani K, Hihi N, Bencherifa N, Mostefaoui F, Kerioui C, Pineau P, Debzi N, Berkane S. Eastern region represents a worrying cluster of active hepatitis C in Algeria in 2012. J Med Virol 2016; 88:1394-403. [PMID: 26856380 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Algeria is the largest country of Africa, peopled with populations living a range of traditional/rural and modern/urban lifestyles. The variations of prevalence of chronic active hepatitis care poorly known on the Algerian territory. We conducted a retrospective survey on all patients (n = 998) referred to our institution in 2012 and confirmed by us for an active hepatitis C. Half of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolates were genotyped. Forty Algerian regions out of the 48 were represented in our study. Three geographical clusters (Aïn-Temouchent/SidiBelAbbes, Algiers, and a large Eastern region) with an excess of active hepatitis C were observed. Patients coming from the Eastern cluster (Batna, Khenchela, Oum el Bouaghi, and Tebessa) were strongly over-represented (49% of cases, OR = 14.5, P < 0.0001). The hallmarks of Eastern region were an excess of women (65% vs. 46% in the remaining population, P < 0.0001) and the almost exclusive presence of HCV genotype 1 (93% vs. 63%, P = 0.0001). The core of the epidemics was apparently located in Khenchela (odds ratio = 24.6, P < 0.0001). This situation is plausibly connected with nosocomial transmission or traditional practices as scarification (Hijama), piercing or tattooing, very lively in this region. Distinct hepatitis C epidemics are currently affecting Algerian population. The most worrying situation is observed in rural regions located east of Algeria. J. Med. Virol. 88:1394-1403, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aïcha Bensalem
- Laboratoire des Hépatites Virales, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Sidi Fredj, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Karima Selmani
- Laboratoire des Hépatites Virales, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Sidi Fredj, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Narjes Hihi
- Laboratoire des Hépatites Virales, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Sidi Fredj, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Nesrine Bencherifa
- Laboratoire des Hépatites Virales, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Sidi Fredj, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Fatma Mostefaoui
- Laboratoire des Hépatites Virales, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Sidi Fredj, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Cherif Kerioui
- Laboratoire des Hépatites Virales, Institut Pasteur d'Algérie, Sidi Fredj, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Pascal Pineau
- Unité « Organisation nucléaire et oncogenèse », INSERM U993, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Nabil Debzi
- Service d'Hépatologie, CHU Mustapha Bacha, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Saadi Berkane
- Service de Gastro-entérologie, CHU Mustapha Bacha, Algiers, Algeria
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Abdelwahab KS, Ahmed Said ZN. Status of hepatitis C virus vaccination: Recent update. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:862-873. [PMID: 26811632 PMCID: PMC4716084 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i2.862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2015] [Revised: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is still a major public health problem worldwide since its first identification in 1989. At the start, HCV infection was post-transfusion viral infection, particularly in developing countries. Recently, due to iv drug abuse, HCV infection became number one health problem in well-developed countries as well. Following acute HCV infection, the innate immune response is triggered in the form of activated coordinated interaction of NK cells, dendritic cells and interferon α. The acquired immune response is then developed in the form of the antibody-mediated immune response (ABIR) and the cell-mediated immune response (CMIR). Both are responsible for clearance of HCV infection in about 15% of infected patients. However, HCV has several mechanisms to evade these antivirus immune reactions. The current review gives an overview of HCV structure, immune response and viral evasion mechanisms. It also evaluates the available preventive and therapeutic vaccines that induce innate, ABIR, CMIR. Moreover, this review highlights the progress in recent HCV vaccination studies either in preclinical or clinical phases. The unsatisfactory identification of HCV infection by the current screening system and the limitations of currently available treatments, including the ineligibility of some chronic HCV patients to such antiviral agents, mandate the development of an effective HCV vaccine.
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Lovelace ES, Polyak SJ. Natural Products as Tools for Defining How Cellular Metabolism Influences Cellular Immune and Inflammatory Function during Chronic Infection. Viruses 2015; 7:6218-32. [PMID: 26633463 PMCID: PMC4690857 DOI: 10.3390/v7122933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic viral infections like those caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cause disease that establishes an ongoing state of chronic inflammation. While there have been tremendous improvements towards curing HCV with directly acting antiviral agents (DAA) and keeping HIV viral loads below detection with antiretroviral therapy (ART), there is still a need to control inflammation in these diseases. Recent studies indicate that many natural products like curcumin, resveratrol and silymarin alter cellular metabolism and signal transduction pathways via enzymes such as adenosine monophosphate kinase (AMPK) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and these pathways directly influence cellular inflammatory status (such as NF-κB) and immune function. Natural products represent a vast toolkit to dissect and define how cellular metabolism controls cellular immune and inflammatory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica S Lovelace
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - Stephen J Polyak
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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Edlin BR, Eckhardt BJ, Shu MA, Holmberg SD, Swan T. Toward a more accurate estimate of the prevalence of hepatitis C in the United States. Hepatology 2015; 62:1353-63. [PMID: 26171595 PMCID: PMC4751870 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 334] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Data from the 2003-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicate that about 3.6 million people in the United States have antibodies to the hepatitis C virus, of whom 2.7 million are currently infected. NHANES, however, excludes several high-risk populations from its sampling frame, including people who are incarcerated, homeless, or hospitalized; nursing home residents; active-duty military personnel; and people living on Indian reservations. We undertook a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature and sought out unpublished presentations and data to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C in these excluded populations and in turn improve the estimate of the number of people with hepatitis C in the United States. The available data do not support a precise result, but we estimated that 1.0 million (range 0.4 million-1.8 million) persons excluded from the NHANES sampling frame have hepatitis C virus antibody, including 500,000 incarcerated people, 220,000 homeless people, 120,000 people living on Indian reservations, and 75,000 people in hospitals. Most are men. An estimated 0.8 million (range 0.3 million-1.5 million) are currently infected. Several additional sources of underestimation, including nonresponse bias and the underrepresentation of other groups at increased risk of hepatitis C that are not excluded from the NHANES sampling frame, were not addressed in this study. CONCLUSION The number of US residents who have been infected with hepatitis C is unknown but is probably at least 4.6 million (range 3.4 million-6.0 million), and of these, at least 3.5 million (range 2.5 million-4.7 million) are currently infected; additional sources of potential underestimation suggest that the true prevalence could well be higher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian R. Edlin
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
,Institute for Infectious Disease Research, National Development and Research Institutes, New York, NY
| | | | - Marla A. Shu
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Scott D. Holmberg
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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Onofrey S, Aneja J, Haney GA, Nagami EH, DeMaria A, Lauer GM, Hills-Evans K, Barton K, Kulaga S, Bowen MJ, Cocoros N, McGovern BH, Church DR, Kim AY. Underascertainment of acute hepatitis C virus infections in the U.S. surveillance system: a case series and chart review. Ann Intern Med 2015; 163:254-61. [PMID: 26121304 PMCID: PMC4731032 DOI: 10.7326/m14-2939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2010, the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States was estimated to be 17 000 cases annually, based on 850 acute HCV cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by local public health authorities. Absence of symptomatic disease and lack of a specific laboratory test for acute infection complicates diagnosis and surveillance. OBJECTIVE To validate estimates of the incidence of acute HCV infection by determining the reporting rate of clinical diagnoses of acute infection to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DESIGN Case series and chart review. SETTING Two hospitals and the state correctional health care system in Massachusetts. PATIENTS 183 patients clinically diagnosed with acute HCV infection from 2001 to 2011 and participating in a research study. MEASUREMENTS Rate of electronic case reporting of acute HCV infection to the MDPH and rate of subsequent confirmation according to national case definitions. RESULTS 149 of 183 (81.4%) clinical cases of acute HCV infection were reported to the MDPH for surveillance classification. The MDPH investigated 43 of these reports as potential acute cases of HCV infection based on their surveillance requirements; ultimately, only 1 met the national case definition and was counted in nationwide statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Discordance in clinical and surveillance classification was often related to missing clinical or laboratory data at the MDPH as well as restrictive definitions, including requirements for negative hepatitis A and B laboratory results. LIMITATION Findings may not apply to other jurisdictions because of differences in resources for surveillance. CONCLUSION Clinical diagnoses of acute HCV infection were grossly underascertained by formal surveillance reporting. Incomplete clinician reporting, problematic case definitions, limitations of diagnostic testing, and imperfect data capture remain major limitations to accurate case ascertainment despite automated electronic laboratory reporting. These findings may have implications for national estimates of the incidence of HCV infection. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE National Institutes of Health.
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Trooskin SB, Reynolds H, Kostman JR. Access to Costly New Hepatitis C Drugs: Medicine, Money, and Advocacy. Clin Infect Dis 2015; 61:1825-30. [PMID: 26270682 DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C affects >3 million people in the United States, and often leads to end-stage liver disease or death. In 2014, several new drugs to treat hepatitic C virus received US Food and Drug Administration approval, with remarkable cure rates exceeding 90%. Medicaid, however, is rationing these drugs, and other insurers have restricted coverage due to their exorbitant costs and the large size of the population in need. These access barriers and disparities have resulted in national patient advocacy mobilization, US congressional inquiry, and legal challenges. The US Department of Health and Human Services has been urged to intervene. We propose the establishment of a federal program, analogous to AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, to reduce access barriers and facilitate focused price negotiations. The federal government may further undertake a nonvoluntary acquisition of the pharmaceutical patents pursuant to federal statutory authority and principles of eminent domain. Projections indicate this proposal could lower costs by 90% and eliminate rationing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey B Trooskin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine
| | | | - Jay R Kostman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Modeling the Health and Economic Burden of Hepatitis C Virus in Switzerland. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125214. [PMID: 26107467 PMCID: PMC4480969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a major cause of liver disease in Switzerland and carries a significant cost burden. Currently, only conservative strategies are in place to mitigate the burden of hepatitis C in Switzerland. This study expands on previously described modeling efforts to explore the impact of: no treatment, and treatment to reduce HCC and mortality. Furthermore, the costs associated with untreated HCV were modeled. Methods Hepatitis C disease progression and mortality were modeled. Baseline historical assumptions were collected from the literature and expert interviews and strategies were developed to show the impact of different levels of intervention (improved drug cure rates, treatment and diagnosis) until 2030. Results Under the historical standard of care, the number of advanced stage cases was projected to increase until 2030, at which point the annual economic burden of untreated viremic infections was projected to reach €96.8 (95% Uncertainty Interval: €36 – €232) million. Scenarios to reduce HCV liver-related mortality by 90% by 2030 required treatment of 4,190 ≥F2 or 3,200 ≥F3 patients annually by 2018 using antivirals with a 95% efficacy rate. Delaying the implementation of these scenarios by 2 or 5 years reduced the impact on mortality to 75% and 57%, respectively. Conclusions With today’s treatment efficacy and uptake rates, hepatitis C disease burden is expected to increase through 2030. A substantial reduction in disease burden can be achieved by means of both higher efficacy drugs and increased treatment uptake. However, these efforts cannot be undertaken without a simultaneous effort to diagnose more infections.
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Hellard M, Scott N. The changing landscape of hepatitis C treatment-not 'can we cure?' but 'who should we cure first?' Is this an ethical approach? Addiction 2015; 110:984-5. [PMID: 25963872 DOI: 10.1111/add.12912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Centre for Population Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
| | - Nick Scott
- Burnet Institute, Centre for Population Health, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
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31
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Chen DS, Locarnini S, Wallace J. From the big three to the big four. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2015; 15:626-7. [PMID: 26008824 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(15)00026-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ding-Shinn Chen
- Coalition to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific, 20 Upper Circular Road, #02-10/12, The Riverwalk, Singapore, 058416.
| | - Stephen Locarnini
- Coalition to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific, 20 Upper Circular Road, #02-10/12, The Riverwalk, Singapore, 058416
| | - Jack Wallace
- Coalition to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific, 20 Upper Circular Road, #02-10/12, The Riverwalk, Singapore, 058416
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Viner K, Kuncio D, Newbern EC, Johnson CC. The continuum of hepatitis C testing and care. Hepatology 2015; 61:783-9. [PMID: 25348499 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED A hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected person will ideally have access to quality health care and move through the HCV continuum of care (CoC) from HCV antibody (Ab) screening, HCV-RNA confirmation, engagement and retention in medical care, and treatment. Unfortunately, studies show that many patients do not progress through this continuum. Because these studies may not be generalizable, we assessed the HCV CoC in Philadelphia from January 2010 to December 2013 at the population level. The expected HCV seroprevalence in Philadelphia during 2010-2013 was calculated by applying National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey prevalences to age-specific census data approximations and published estimates of homeless and incarcerated populations. HCV laboratory results reported to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and enhanced surveillance data were used to determine where individuals fell on the continuum. HCV CoC was defined as follows: stage 1: HCV Ab screening; stage 2: HCV Ab and RNA testing; stage 3: RNA confirmation and continuing care; and stage 4: RNA confirmation, care, and HCV treatment. Of approximately 1,584,848 Philadelphia residents, 47,207 (2.9%) were estimated to have HCV. Positive HCV results were received for 13,596 individuals, of whom 6,383 (47%) had a positive HCV-RNA test. Of these, 1,745 (27%) were in care and 956 (15%) had or were currently receiving treatment. CONCLUSION This continuum provides a real-life snapshot of how this disease is being managed in a major U.S. urban center. Many patients are lost at each stage, highlighting the need to raise awareness among health care professionals and at-risk populations about appropriate hepatitis testing, referral, support, and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra Viner
- Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
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Graham CS, Swan T. A path to eradication of hepatitis C in low- and middle-income countries. Antiviral Res 2015; 119:89-96. [PMID: 25615583 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2015.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Revised: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We are entering a new era in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and almost all patient groups in high-income countries have the potential to be cured with all-oral, highly potent combinations of direct-acting antiviral drugs. Soon the main barrier to curing hepatitis C, even in wealthy countries, will be the high price of these all-oral regimens. The gulf between the advances in HCV drug development and access to treatment for individual patients will be even greater in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) where 80% of the global burden of HCV infection and mortality exists. Ensuring that people in LMIC have access to regimens against HCV will require a similar level of advocacy and public-private partnerships as has transformed the control of other global diseases such as HIV. Numerous challenges will need to be overcome. These include improving low-cost diagnostic tests, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where the false-positive rate is unacceptably high, reducing iatrogenic spread of HCV, addressing transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID), and ensuring affordable access to antiviral treatment for all people living with HCV infection in LMIC. This article forms part of a symposium in Antiviral Research on "Hepatitis C: next steps toward global eradication."
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla S Graham
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tracy Swan
- Treatment Action Group, New York, NY, United States
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Estimated prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus infection in Canada, 2011. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 40:429-436. [PMID: 29769874 DOI: 10.14745/ccdr.v40i19a02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Prevalence estimates contribute to our understanding of the magnitude of a particular health condition and in planning appropriate public health interventions. Objective To estimate the prevalence of chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, anti-HCV-positive status (anti-HCV) and the proportion of undiagnosed HCV infections in Canada. Methods A combination of back-calculation and workbook methods was used. The back-calculation method estimated prevalent chronic HCV infection and the proportion undiagnosed using the Canadian Cancer Registry's data on hepatocellular carcinoma reported between 1992 and 2008 and the Canadian Notifiable Disease Surveillance System's data on Hepatitis C virus (HCV) cases reported between 1991 and 2009 in a Markov multi-state disease progression model with parameters adjusted to Canada. The workbook method divided the total population of Canada into population subsets and developed estimates of population size and anti-HCV prevalence for each. Sub-population size estimates were multiplied by anti-HCV prevalence measures to calculate the prevalence of anti-HCV by sub-population. A measure of spontaneous clearance was used to estimate the number of persons with chronic HCV from estimates of the number of anti-HCV-positive persons. Results The back-calculation method estimated the prevalence of chronic HCV infection at 0.64% and the proportion of undiagnosed chronic HCV infection at 44% in 2011. The workbook method estimated the anti-HCV prevalence at 0.96% (plausibility range: 0.61% to 1.34%) and chronic HCV infection at 0.71% (0.45 - 0.99%). Interpretation By combining mid-point estimates from both methods, it is estimated that between 0.64% to 0.71% of the overall Canadian population was living with chronic HCV infection in 2011 and 44% of these individuals were undiagnosed.
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Ford C, Bressan J. Ending the mass criminalisation of people who use drugs: a necessary component of the public health response to hepatitis C. BMC Infect Dis 2014; 14 Suppl 6:S4. [PMID: 25253223 PMCID: PMC4178555 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-14-s6-s4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
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Goody MF, Sullivan C, Kim CH. Studying the immune response to human viral infections using zebrafish. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2014; 46:84-95. [PMID: 24718256 PMCID: PMC4067600 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2014.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2014] [Revised: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Humans and viruses have a long co-evolutionary history. Viral illnesses have and will continue to shape human history: from smallpox, to influenza, to HIV, and beyond. Animal models of human viral illnesses are needed in order to generate safe and effective antiviral medicines, adjuvant therapies, and vaccines. These animal models must support the replication of human viruses, recapitulate aspects of human viral illnesses, and respond with conserved immune signaling cascades. The zebrafish is perhaps the simplest, most commonly used laboratory model organism in which innate and/or adaptive immunity can be studied. Herein, we will discuss the current zebrafish models of human viral illnesses and the insights they have provided. We will highlight advantages of early life stage zebrafish and the importance of innate immunity in human viral illnesses. We will also discuss viral characteristics to consider before infecting zebrafish with human viruses as well as predict other human viruses that may be able to infect zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle F Goody
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Con Sullivan
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Carol H Kim
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.
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Alvarez KJ, Befus M, Herzig CTA, Larson E. Prevalence and correlates of hepatitis C virus infection among inmates at two New York State correctional facilities. J Infect Public Health 2014; 7:517-21. [PMID: 25182508 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2014.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Revised: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have reported decreasing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rates in the general population. However, differential susceptibility in institutionalized populations suggest that HCV infection is even more prevalent in prison populations than previously reported yet, routine screening for HCV infection among prisoners is not generally available. We estimated the HCV prevalence and identified associated exposures at two maximum-security prisons using data obtained from 2788 inmates from the Risk Factors for Spread of Staphylococcus aureus in Prisons Study in New York, which recruited participants from January 2009 and January 2013. HCV prevalence was 10.1% (n=295); injection drug use, injection drug use sex partners, and HIV diagnosis exhibited the strongest associations with HCV infection in multivariable models, adjusting for covariates. Taken together, the findings of the present study provide an updated estimate of HCV prevalence and suggest that incarcerated populations represent a declining yet significant portion of the hepatitis epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Alvarez
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, United States.
| | - Montina Befus
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Carolyn T A Herzig
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, United States; School of Nursing, Columbia University, 617 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Elaine Larson
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, United States; School of Nursing, Columbia University, 617 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, United States
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Edlin BR, Winkelstein ER. Can hepatitis C be eradicated in the United States? Antiviral Res 2014; 110:79-93. [PMID: 25110202 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2014.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The advent of highly effective antiviral regimens will make the eradication of hepatitis C in high-income countries such as the United States technically feasible. But eradicating hepatitis C will require escalating our response to the epidemic in key domains, including surveillance and epidemiology, prevention, screening, care and treatment, policy, research, and advocacy. Surveillance must be nimble enough to quickly assess the magnitude of new transmission patterns as they emerge. Basic prevention strategies - community-based outreach and education, testing and counseling, and access to sterile injection equipment and opioid substitution therapies - must be scaled up and adapted to target groups in which new epidemics are emerging. All adults should be screened for hepatitis C, but special efforts must focus on groups with increased prevalence through community outreach and rapid testing. Government, industry, and payers must work together to assure full access to health services and antiviral drugs for everyone who is infected. Access to the new regimens must not be compromised by excessively high prices or arbitrary payer restrictions. Partnerships must be forged between hepatitis providers and programs that serve people who inject illicit drugs. Healthcare providers and systems, especially primary care practitioners, need education and training in treating hepatitis C and caring for substance-using populations. Services must be provided to the disadvantaged and stigmatized members of society who bear a disproportionate burden of the epidemic. Environments must be created where people who use drugs can receive prevention and treatment services without shame or stigma. Action is needed to end the policy of mass incarceration of people who use drugs, reduce the stigma associated with substance use, support the human rights of people who use drugs, expand social safety net services for the poor and the homeless, remove the legal barriers to hepatitis C prevention, and build public health infrastructure to reach, engage, and serve marginalized populations. Governments must take action to bring about these changes. Public health agencies must work with penal institutions to provide prevention and treatment services, including antiviral therapy, to those in need in jails and prisons or on probation or parole. Research is needed to guide efforts in each of these domains. Strong and sustained political advocacy will be needed to build and sustain support for these measures. Leadership must be provided by physicians, scientists, and the public health community in partnership with community advocates and people living with or at risk for hepatitis C. Eliminating hepatitis C from the United States is possible, but will require a sustained national commitment to reach, test, treat, cure, and prevent every case. With strong political leadership, societal commitment, and community support, hepatitis C can be eradicated in the United States. If this is to happen in our lifetimes, the time for action is now. This article forms part of a symposium in Antiviral Research on "Hepatitis C: next steps toward global eradication."
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian R Edlin
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, United States; National Development and Research Institutes, 71 West 23rd St., 4th floor, New York, NY 10010, United States.
| | - Emily R Winkelstein
- National Development and Research Institutes, 71 West 23rd St., 4th floor, New York, NY 10010, United States.
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The treatment cascade for chronic hepatitis C virus infection in the United States: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101554. [PMID: 24988388 PMCID: PMC4079454 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 353] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Identifying gaps in care for people with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is important to clinicians, public health officials, and federal agencies. The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature to provide estimates of the proportion of chronic HCV-infected persons in the United States (U.S.) completing each step along a proposed HCV treatment cascade: (1) infected with chronic HCV; (2) diagnosed and aware of their infection; (3) with access to outpatient care; (4) HCV RNA confirmed; (5) liver fibrosis staged by biopsy; (6) prescribed HCV treatment; and (7) achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for articles published between January 2003 and July 2013. Two reviewers independently identified articles addressing each step in the cascade. Studies were excluded if they focused on specific populations, did not present original data, involved only a single site, were conducted outside of the U.S., or only included data collected prior to 2000. Results 9,581 articles were identified, 117 were retrieved for full text review, and 10 were included. Overall, 3.5 million people were estimated to have chronic HCV in the U.S. Fifty percent (95% CI 43–57%) were diagnosed and aware of their infection, 43% (CI 40–47%) had access to outpatient care, 27% (CI 27–28%) had HCV RNA confirmed, 17% (CI 16–17%) underwent liver fibrosis staging, 16% (CI 15–16%) were prescribed treatment, and 9% (CI 9–10%) achieved SVR. Conclusions Continued efforts are needed to improve HCV care in the U.S. The proposed HCV treatment cascade provides a framework for evaluating the delivery of HCV care over time and within subgroups, and will be useful in monitoring the impact of new screening efforts and advances in antiviral therapy.
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Kinnard EN, Taylor LE, Galárraga O, Marshall BDL. Estimating the true prevalence of hepatitis C in rhode island. RHODE ISLAND MEDICAL JOURNAL (2013) 2014; 97:19-24. [PMID: 24983016 PMCID: PMC4349508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Although there is a large health, social, and economic burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States, the number of persons infected with HCV in Rhode Island (RI) is unknown. To inform the expansion of HCV-related public health efforts in RI, and because surveillance data are lacking and national surveys, including the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), likely underestimate true HCV prevalence, we reviewed published peer-reviewed and grey literature to more accurately estimate the prevalence of HCV in RI. The results of our review suggest that between 16,603 and 22,660 (1.7%-2.3%) persons in RI have ever been infected with HCV. Assuming a spontaneous clearance rate of 26%, we estimate that between 12,286 and 16,768 (1.2%-1.7%) have ever been or are currently chronically infected with HCV. Findings suggest the urgent need for improved HCV screening in RI, and that reducing morbidity and mortality from HCV will require a dramatic scale-up of testing, linkage to care, treatment and cure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lynn E Taylor
- Attending Physician, The Miriam Hospital and Assistant Professor of Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
| | - Omar Galárraga
- Assistant Professor of Health Services Policy & Practice, Brown University School of Public Health
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Innes H, Goldberg D, Dusheiko G, Hayes P, Mills PR, Dillon JF, Aspinall E, Barclay ST, Hutchinson SJ. Patient-important benefits of clearing the hepatitis C virus through treatment: a simulation model. J Hepatol 2014; 60:1118-26. [PMID: 24509410 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Revised: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Given an appreciable risk of adverse-effects, current therapies for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection pose a dilemma to patients. We explored, via simulation modelling, patient-important benefits of attaining a sustained viral response (SVR). METHODS We created the HCV Individualised Treatment-decision model (the HIT-model) to simulate, on a per patient basis, the lifetime course of HCV-related liver disease according to two distinct scenarios: (i) SVR attained, and (ii) SVR not attained. Then, for each model subject, the course of liver disease under these alternative scenarios was compared. The benefit of SVR was considered in terms of two patient-important outcomes: (1) the percent-probability that SVR confers additional life-years, and (2) the percent-probability that SVR confers additional healthy life-years, where "healthy" refers to years spent in compensated disease states (i.e., the avoidance of liver failure). RESULTS The benefit of SVR varied strikingly. It was lowest for patients aged 60 years with initially mild fibrosis; 1.6% (95% CI: 0.8-2.7) and 2.9% (95% CI: 1.5-4.7) probability of gaining life-years and healthy life-years, respectively. Whereas it was highest for patients with initially compensated cirrhosis aged 30 years; 57.9% (95% CI: 46.0-69.0) and 67.1% (95% CI: 54.1-78.2) probability of gaining life-years and healthy life-years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS For older patients with less advanced liver fibrosis, SVR is less likely to confer benefit when measured in terms of averting liver failure and premature death. These data have important implications. Foremost, it may inform the contemporary patient dilemma of immediate treatment with existing therapies (that have poor adverse effect profiles) vs. awaiting future regimens that promise better tolerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamish Innes
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
| | - David Goldberg
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Geoffrey Dusheiko
- UCL Institute of Liver and Digestive Disease, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Esther Aspinall
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Sharon J Hutchinson
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK; Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, UK
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Searson G, Engelson ES, Carriero D, Kotler DP. Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in the United States: some remaining obstacles. Liver Int 2014; 34:668-71. [PMID: 24418358 DOI: 10.1111/liv.12467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C infection is an important problem in inner city neighbourhoods, which suffer from multiple health disparities. Important factors in this population include alcoholism and substance abuse, mental illness and homelessness, which may be combined with mistrust, poor health literacy, limited access to healthcare and outright discrimination. Systemic barriers to effective care include a lack of capacity to provide comprehensive care, insufficient insurance coverage, poor coordination among caregivers and between caregivers and hospitals, as well as third party payers. These barriers affect real world treatment effectiveness as opposed to treatment efficacy, the latter reflecting the world of clinical trials. The components of effectiveness include efficacious medications, appropriate diagnosis and evaluation, recommendation for therapy, access to therapy, acceptance of the diagnosis and its implications by the patient and adherence to the recommended therapy. Very little attention has been given to assisting the patient to accept the diagnosis and adhere to therapy, i.e. care coordination. For this reason, care coordination is an area in which greater availability could lead to greater acceptance/adherence and greater treatment effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Searson
- Coalition on Positive Health Empowerment, New York, NY, USA
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Carrozzo M. Hepatitis C virus: a silent killer relevant to dentistry. Oral Dis 2014; 20:425-9. [PMID: 24666473 DOI: 10.1111/odi.12240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Revised: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Around 25 years ago, hepatitis C virus (HCV) was identified, and following intense research and tremendous advancements, the infection is now potentially curable and even complete viral eradication is possible. It is also evident that HCV can be involved in some oral disorders, but more research is clearly warranted on oral health of HCV-infected patients. Given the global estimates on HCV epidemic and its likely huge economic impact, primary prevention and secondary prevention are worldwide priorities. However, investments are still insufficient to achieve these goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Carrozzo
- Oral Medicine Department, Centre for Oral Health Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Beaumont E, Roingeard P. [Towards a bivalent prophylactic vaccine against hepatitis B and C viruses?]. Med Sci (Paris) 2014; 30:33-5. [PMID: 24472456 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20143001010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Beaumont
- Inserm U966, Université François Rabelais et CHRU de Tours, 10, boulevard Tonnellé 37032 Tours, France
| | - Philippe Roingeard
- Inserm U966, Université François Rabelais et CHRU de Tours, 10, boulevard Tonnellé 37032 Tours, France
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Murine models of hepatitis C: what can we look forward to? Antiviral Res 2014; 104:15-22. [PMID: 24462693 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2014.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The study of interactions between hepatitis C virus (HCV) with its mammalian host, along with the development of more effective therapeutics and vaccines has been delayed by the lack of a suitable small animal model. HCV readily infects only humans and chimpanzees, which poses logistic, economic and ethical challenges with analyzing HCV infection in vivo. Progress has been made in understanding the determinants that dictate HCV's narrow host range providing a blueprint for constructing a mouse model with inheritable susceptibility to HCV infection. Indeed, genetically humanized mice were generated that support viral uptake, replication and production of infectious virions--albeit at low levels. These efforts are complemented with attempts to select for viral variants that are inherently more capable of replicating in non-human species. In parallel, engraftment of relevant human tissues into improved xenorecipients is being continuously refined. Incorporating advances in stem-cell-biology and tissue engineering may allow the generation of patient-specific humanized mice. Construction of such mouse "avatars" may allow analyzing functionally patient-specific differences with respect to susceptibility to infection, disease progression and responses to treatment. In this review, we discuss the three, before mentioned approaches to overcome current species barriers and generate a small animal model for HCV infection, i.e. genetic modification of mice to increase their susceptibility to the virus; genetic modification of HCV, to increase its pathogenicity for mice; and the introduction of human liver and immune cells into immunodeficient mice, to create "humanized" mice. Although in the foreseeable future there will not be a single model that perfectly mimics the natural course of HCV in humans there is reason for optimism. The spectrum of murine animal models for hepatitis C provides a broad arsenal for analyzing the disease. These models may play an important role by prioritizing vaccine candidates and possibly refining combination anti-viral drug therapies. This article forms part of a symposium in Anti-viral Research on "Hepatitis C: next steps toward global eradication."
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Dillon ST, Bhasin MK, Feng X, Koh DW, Daoud SS. Quantitative proteomic analysis in HCV-induced HCC reveals sets of proteins with potential significance for racial disparity. J Transl Med 2013; 11:239. [PMID: 24283668 PMCID: PMC3850534 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-11-239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The incidence and mortality of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is higher in African Americans (AA) than other racial/ethnic groups in the U.S., but the reasons for this disparity are unknown. There is an urgent need for the discovery of novel molecular signatures for HCV disease progression to understand the underlying biological basis for this cancer rate disparity to improve the clinical outcome. Methods We performed differential proteomics with isobaric labeling tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and MS/MS analysis to identify proteins differentially expressed in cirrhotic (CIR) and HCC as compared to normal tissues of Caucasian American (CA) patients. The raw data were analyzed using the ProteinPilot v3.0. Searches were performed against all known sequences populating the Swiss-Prot, Refseq, and TrEMBL databases. Quality control analyses were accomplished using pairwise correlation plots, boxplots, principal component analysis, and unsupervised hierarchical clustering. Supervised analysis was carried out to identify differentially expressed proteins. Candidates were validated in independent cohorts of CA and AA tissues by qRT-PCR or Western blotting. Results A total of 238 unique proteins were identified. Of those, around 15% were differentially expressed between normal, CIR & HCC groups. Target validation demonstrates racially distinct alteration in the expression of certain proteins. For example, the mRNA expression levels of transferrin (TF) were 2 and18-fold higher in CIR and HCC in AA as compared to CA. Similarly; the expression of Apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) was 7-fold higher in HCC of AA. This increase was mirrored in the protein expression levels. Interestingly, the level of hepatocyte nuclear factor4α (HNF4α) protein was down regulated in AA, whereas repression of transcription is seen more in CA compared to AA. These data suggest that racial disparities in HCC could be a consequence of differential dysregulation of HNF4α transcriptional activity. Conclusion This study identifies novel molecular signatures in HCV-induced HCC using iTRAQ-based tissue proteomics. The proteins identified will further enhance a molecular explanation to the biochemical mechanism(s) that may play a role in HCC racial disparities.
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Abstract
We are entering an important new chapter in the story of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. There are clear challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, new HCV infections are still occurring, and an estimated 185 million people are or have previously been infected worldwide. Most HCV-infected persons are unaware of their status yet are at risk for life-threatening diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), whose incidences are predicted to rise in the coming decade. On the other hand, new HCV infections can be prevented, and those that have already occurred can be detected and treated--viral eradication is even possible. How the story ends will largely be determined by the extent to which these rapidly advancing opportunities overcome the growing challenges and by the vigor of the public health response.
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48
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Billerbeck E, de Jong Y, Dorner M, de la Fuente C, Ploss A. Animal models for hepatitis C. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2013; 369:49-86. [PMID: 23463197 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-27340-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C remains a global epidemic. Approximately 3 % of the world's population suffers from chronic hepatitis C, which is caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV)-a positive sense, single-stranded RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family. HCV has a high propensity for establishing a chronic infection. If untreated chronic HCV carriers can develop severe liver disease including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Antiviral treatment is only partially effective, costly, and poorly tolerated. A prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine for HCV does not exist. Mechanistic studies of virus-host interactions, HCV immunity, and pathogenesis as well as the development of more effective therapies have been hampered by the lack of a suitable small animal model. Besides humans, chimpanzees are the only species that is naturally susceptible to HCV infection. While experimentation in these large primates has yielded valuable insights, ethical considerations, limited availability, genetic heterogeneity, and cost limit their utility. In search for more tractable small animal models, numerous experimental approaches have been taken to recapitulate parts of the viral life cycle and/or aspects of viral pathogenesis that will be discussed in this review. Exciting new models and improvements in established models hold promise to further elucidate our understanding of chronic HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Billerbeck
- Center for the Study of Hepatitis C, The Rockefeller University, NY, USA
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Thomas DL. Global control of hepatitis C: where challenge meets opportunity. Nat Med 2013; 19:850-8. [PMID: 23836235 PMCID: PMC4937625 DOI: 10.1038/nm.3184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
We are entering an important new chapter in the story of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. There are clear challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, new HCV infections are still occurring, and an estimated 185 million people are or have previously been infected worldwide. Most HCV-infected persons are unaware of their status yet are at risk for life-threatening diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), whose incidences are predicted to rise in the coming decade. On the other hand, new HCV infections can be prevented, and those that have already occurred can be detected and treated--viral eradication is even possible. How the story ends will largely be determined by the extent to which these rapidly advancing opportunities overcome the growing challenges and by the vigor of the public health response.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Thomas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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50
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Hart-Malloy R, Carrascal A, Dirienzo AG, Flanigan C, McClamroch K, Smith L. Estimating HCV prevalence at the state level: a call to increase and strengthen current surveillance systems. Am J Public Health 2013; 103:1402-5. [PMID: 23763407 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The degree to which case surveillance captures persons ever infected with HCV is unknown. We determined the discrepancy between HCV seroprevalence, estimated from national survey data, among adults in New York State in 2008 (n = 286 262, or 1.95%) and the number of infected persons reported to the state's surveillance hepatitis registries (n = 144 015). Findings suggest the need to strengthen the existing surveillance system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Hart-Malloy
- New York State Department of Health, ESP, Corning Tower, Rm 429, Albany, NY 12237, USA.
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