A holistic evaluation of patients with chronic Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection enrolled in the Italian PITER-B and delta cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to characterize the epidemiologic and comorbidities profiles of patients with chronic Hepatitis D (CHD) followed in clinical practice in Italy and explored their interferon (IFN) eligibility. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of the PITER cohort consisting of consecutive HBsAg-positive patients from 59 centers over the period 2019-2023. Multivariable analysis was performed by logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of 5492 HBsAg-positive enrolled patients, 4152 (75.6%) were screened for HDV, 422 (10.2%) were anti-HDV positive. Compared with HBsAg mono-infected, anti-HDV positive patients were more often younger, non-Italians, with a history of drug use, had elevated alanine transaminase (ALT), cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Compared with Italians, anti-HDV positive non-Italians were younger (42.2% age ≤ 40 years vs. 2.1%; P < 0.001), more often females (males 43.0% vs. 68.6%; P < 0.001) with less frequent cirrhosis and HCC. HDV-RNA was detected in 63.2% of anti-HDV-positive patients, who were more likely to have elevated ALT, cirrhosis, and HCC. Extrahepatic comorbidities were present in 47.4% of anti-HDV positive patients and could affect the eligibility of IFN-containing therapies in at least 53.0% of patients in care. CONCLUSIONS: CHD affects young, foreign-born patients and older Italians, of whom two-thirds had cirrhosis or HCC. Comorbidities were frequent in both Italians and non-Italians and impacted eligibility for IFN.

The Role of Hepatitis Viruses as Drivers of Hepatocancerogenesis.

Recently, metabolic associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) became the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and one of the most frequent causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonetheless, in this epidemiological trend, viral hepatitis remains the major driver in hepatic carcinogenesis. Globally, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma, with an overall attributable risk of approximately 40%, followed by hepatitis C virus (HCV), which accounts for 28-30% of cases, with significant geographic variations between the Eastern and Western world. Considering all the etiologies, HCC risk increases proportionally with the progression of liver disease, but the risk is consistently higher in patients with viral triggers. This evidence indicates that both direct (due to the oncogenic properties of the viruses) and indirect (through the mechanisms of chronic inflammation that lead to cirrhosis) mechanisms are involved, alongside the presence of co-factors contributing to liver damage (smoking, alcohol, and metabolic factors) that synergistically enhance the oncogenic process. The aim of this review is to analyze the oncogenic role of hepatitis viruses in the liver, evaluating epidemiological changes and direct and indirect viral mechanisms that lead to liver cancer.

Role of sex in liver tumor occurrence and clinical outcomes: A comprehensive review.

Clinical research on sex-based differences in the manifestations, pathophysiology, and prevalence of several diseases, including those affecting the liver, has expanded considerably in recent years. Increasing evidence suggests that liver diseases develop, progress, and respond to treatment differently depending on the sex. These observations support the concept that the liver is a sexually dimorphic organ in which estrogen and androgen receptors are present, which results in disparities between men and women in liver gene expression patterns, immune responses, and the progression of liver damage, including the propensity to develop liver malignancies. Sex hormones play protective or deleterious roles depending on the patient's sex, the severity of the underlying disease, and the nature of precipitating factors. Moreover, obesity, alcohol consumption, and active smoking, as well as social determinants of liver diseases leading to sex-related inequalities, may interact strongly with hormone-related mechanisms of liver damage. Drug-induced liver injury, viral hepatitis, and metabolic liver diseases are influenced by the status of sex hormones. Available data on the roles of sex hormones and gender differences in liver tumor occurrence and clinical outcomes are conflicting. Here, we critically review the main gender-based differences in the molecular mechanisms associated with liver carcinogenesis and the prevalence, prognosis, and treatment of primary and metastatic liver tumors.

Anti-HDV reflex testing in HBsAg-positive subjects: An efficacious strategy to identify HDV infection.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The prevalence of HDV infection in HBsAg carriers is about 9.9% in Italy. However, the real prevalence is underestimated because the anti-HDV test is not performed routinely in all HBsAg carriers. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and the absolute number of HDV infection identified in HBsAg-positive subjects tested at University Hospital Federico II before and after the introduction of anti-HDV reflex testing. METHODS: From January to December 2022, reflex test for the detection of total HDV antibodies was performed in all HBsAg-positive subjects tested at University Hospital Federico II. The control group consisted of all the HBsAg-positive subjects tested at the same laboratory in 2019, before the implementation of anti-HDV reflex testing. Sera were evaluated with ADVIA Centaur HBsAgII Qualitative, Liaison Murex HBsAg Quantitative and Liaison Murex Total Anti-HDV Qualitative. RESULTS: Before reflex testing, anti-HDV had been tested in 16.4% (84/512) of HBsAg-positive subjects, while after its implementation, 100% (484/484) of HBsAg-positive patients was tested for anti-HDV. The anti-HDV positive prevalence was lower than before the introduction of reflex test (10.7% vs. 16.6%) but the absolute number of anti-HDV positive patients increased (14 vs. 52 subjects). HDV-RNA was detectable in 26 (53%) of 49 tested subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that the implementation of anti-HDV reflex testing increased the diagnoses of HDV infection. In this setting, due to the approval of specific anti-HDV drugs, a reflex test for anti-HDV should be implemented to early identify patients with HBV/HDV infection.

COVID-19 and Fatty Liver Disorders.

In late 2019, the world was shaken by the COVID-19 pandemic. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection became one of the main causes of illness and hospitalization worldwide, especially in subjects with metabolic comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, or liver disease. This scenario crosses with the metabolic liver disorders' "pandemic", caused by the exponential spreading of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is now the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease (CLD). The aim of this review is to analyze the key factors of the relationship between COVID-19 and the spectrum of fatty liver disorders (FLD), in terms of molecular mechanisms and clinical presentation which can predict a more severe course of the infection. In addition, this review will face the change in management of FLD during pandemics, with a central role of telemedicine, and the role of other interventions in preventing and treating severe infection in these subjects.

Visceral Obesity and Cytokeratin-18 Antigens as Early Biomarkers of Liver Damage.

Visceral obesity is linked to the progression of fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Cytokeratin-18 (CK18) epitopes M30 (CK18M30) and M65 (CK18M65) represent accurate markers for detecting NASH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of CK18M30 and CK18M65 levels with anthropometric and metabolic characteristics, liver stiffness, and liver indices of steatosis and fibrosis in a cohort of subjects with visceral obesity; in this cross-sectional study, transient elastography (TE-Fibroscan®), anthropometric measurements, metabolic parameters, High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), and CK18M30 and CK18M65 levels (Apoptosense ELISA, PEVIVA, Germany) were evaluated. Fatty Liver Index (FLI), Fibrosis 4 (FIB-4), and Aspartate transaminase (AST)-platelet ratio index (APRI) were calculated; among 48 subjects, 47.2% presented metabolic syndrome, 93.8% hepatic steatosis, 60.4% high liver stiffness, and 14.6% hypertransminasemia, while FIB-4 and APRI were normal. CK18M30 and CK18M65 levels were significantly correlated with waist circumference, AST, ALT, HoMA-IR, liver stiffness, and APRI (p < 0.001). Subjects with CK18 fragments above the median values showed significantly higher waist circumference, HbA1c, AST, ALT, HoMA-IR, FLI, and APRI compared to those with values below the median; CK18M30 and CK18M65 levels correlated well with anthropometric and metabolic characteristics, representing good biomarkers for early identification of NASH in subjects with visceral obesity.

Relevance of Bile Acids in Cholangiocarcinoma Pathogenesis: Critical Revision and Future Directions.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a highly heterogeneous cancer, is the second most common type of primary liver cancer. It is characterized by resistance to therapy and poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate lower than 20%. The pathogenesis of CCA is complex and multifactorial, and in recent years, bile acids (BAs) have been implicated in CCA development and prognosis. BAs belong to a category of amphipathic compounds that hold significant importance as signaling molecules and inflammatory agents. They possess the ability to activate transcriptional factors and cellular signaling pathways, thereby governing the regulation of lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism in diverse human disorders. These disorders encompass chronic liver diseases among other conditions. In this review, we provided an update on the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms involving BAs in cholangiocarcinogenesis. Additionally, we analyzed the role of gut and biliary microbiota in CCA pathogenesis. Future research is required to better understand how to modulate BA activity and, possibly, identify new therapeutic strategies.

Ribociclib in newly diagnosed hepatitis B infection: A case report.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Actually CDK4/6 inhibitor Ribociclib is approved for the treatment of metastatic hormone-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER 2)-negative breast cancer, but comorbidities like infectious or cardiovascular diseases may limit its use. Case report: A 45-year-old woman was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in September 2021; also, her hepatitis screening resulted positive for hepatitis B infection. Patient assumed eradicative therapy for hepatitis and bit after started oncological therapy with Ribociclib. Outcome: Frequent check of hepatological function was observed since start of eradicative therapy; liver transaminases and bilirubin kept to not rise despite start of oncological treatment with Ribociclib. Patient's Performance Status was also not compromised and revaluation at 4, 9 and 13 months showed partial response and then stable disease. Discussion: hepatotoxicity of Ribociclib is reported as a possible side effect, and often positivity for hepatitis is cause of exclusion from therapy; in our case, no hepatotoxicity was noted and patient obtained response in terms of control of both infectious and oncological diseases.

Safety and Immunogenicity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Booster Dose in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease.

The low response to vaccines is a well-known problem in cirrhosis. We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of booster doses in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), comparing the humoral response in cirrhotic vs. non-cirrhotic patients, and the impact of different factors on immune response. From September 2021 to April 2022, outpatients with CLD who completed the primary vaccination course and the booster dose against SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled. Blood samples were collected after second and third doses for detecting anti-spike protein IgG. We enrolled 340 patients; among them, 91 subjects were cirrhotic. After primary vaccination course, 60 (17.6%) patients did not develop a positive antibody titer, without significant differences between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients (p = 0.076); most of them (88.3%) developed it after booster dose. At multivariable analysis, factors associated with higher humoral response after booster dose were only porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (p = 0.007) as an etiology of CLD and the use of the mRNA-1273 vaccine (p = 0.001). In conclusion, in patients with CLD, a booster dose against SARS-CoV-2 induces an excellent immunogenicity and leads to an adequate antibody response. Cirrhosis is not associated with a worse humoral response, compared to patients with non-cirrhotic CLD.

The unhealthy lifestyle in primary biliary cholangitis: An enemy to fight.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Metabolic dysfunctions, particularly hyperlipidemia, are a common finding in Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). In presence of metabolic components of fatty-liver-disease (MAFLD), the liver fibrosis progression risk is higher. The aim of this study was to evaluate lifestyle of PBC patients compared to controls. METHODS: In a prospective, multicenter study 107 PBC patients were enrolled; among these, 54 subjects were age-and sex-matched with 54 controls with a propensity-score-matching-analysis. Eating habits and physical activity were evaluated, respectively, with a food-frequency-questionnaire and with a short pre-validated-questionnaire. The adherence to Mediterranean diet was assessed with the alternate Mediterranean diet score. RESULTS: The total fat intake was higher in controls than in PBC (p=0.004), unless above the national recommendations in both groups. Moreover, in PBC monounsaturated-fat and polyunsaturated-fatty-acid intakes and the adherence to Mediterranean diet were significantly lower than in controls (p<0.001, p=0.005 and p<0.001 respectively). Regarding physical activity, PBC subjects had a sedentary behavior as well as controls. CONCLUSIONS: The lifestyle of both PBC and controls is at high risk of developing MAFLD. Therefore, hepatologists should regularly evaluate eating habits and physical activity in PBC patients and promote a lifestyle change to reduce liver disease progression risk.

Vascular liver diseases: A sex-oriented analysis of the literature.

Vascular liver diseases are an heterogenous group of diseases that collectively represent an important health issue in the field of liver diseases. This narrative review was elaborated by the Special Interest Group (SIG) "Gender in Hepatology" of the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF). We aimed to review the current knowledge regarding the potential role of biological sex in patients with vascular liver diseases such as splanchnic vein thrombosis, hepatic vein thrombosis, porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder, and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. As vascular liver diseases commonly affect young individuals, including women in childbearing age, we also included a specific section on the management of pregnancy in these challenging patients.

Enhanced liver fibrosis score as a noninvasive biomarker in hepatitis C virus patients after direct-acting antiviral agents.

Background: In more than 90% of chronic viral hepatitis C (HCV) patients treated with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), a sustained viral response (SVR) was observed. Unfortunately, there are subgroups of subjects who display enduring liver fibrosis and are at high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, liver fibrosis evaluation during the follow-up of these patients plays a pivotal role. The gold standard to evaluate hepatic fibrosis is liver biopsy, which is an invasive procedure. Imaging techniques and serum biomarkers have been proposed as safer and cheaper procedures. Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the concordance of transient elastography (TE) with ELF score ( enhanced liver fibrosis) in a cohort of patients with HCV before and after direct-acting antiviral (DAAs) treatment. ELF score has been validated in other chronic liver diseases; the evidence is not available in HCV patients treated with DAAs. Study design: We prospectively recruited all consecutive HCV patient candidates for DAAs therapy at the University of Naples "Federico II" between April 2015 and July 2016. TE and ELF scores were assessed at baseline, at SVR24, and at SVR48. Results: One-hundred-nineteen patients were treated with DAAs, and 94.1% of them reached SVR. A total of 55.5% of patients were males with a mean age of 64.7 ± 9.6 years. TE results revealed that 12 patients (10%) had F1-2 mild/moderate fibrosis, and 107 (90%) had F3-4 advanced fibrosis. At baseline, SVR24, and SVR48, the concordance between ELF test and TE was poor: 0.11 (p = 0.086), 0.15 (p = 0.124), and 0.034 (p = 0.002), respectively. However, at SVR24 and SVR48, both methods showed a significant amelioration of liver fibrosis compared to baseline (p < 0.001). In addition, both ELF index and TE were significantly associated with portal hypertension at baseline, but not with varices and ascites. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that ELF test could predict changes in liver fibrosis, independently of TE. In case of TE unavailability, ELF score could represent an appropriate tool. Notably, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, ELF testing should be encouraged to reduce unnecessary access to the hospital and prolonged physical contact.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on the Management of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Worldwide, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) significantly increases mortality and morbidity. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has had a considerable impact on healthcare systems all around the world, having a significant effect on planned patient activity and established care pathways, in order to meet the difficult task of the global pandemic. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are considered a particularly susceptible population and conceivably at increased risk for severe COVID-19 because of two combined risk factors: chronic advanced liver disease and HCC itself. In these challenging times, it is mandatory to reshape clinical practice in a prompt way to preserve the highest standards of patient care and safety. However, due to the stay-at-home measures instituted to stop the spread of COVID-19, HCC surveillance has incurred a dramatic drop, and care for HCC patients has been rearranged by refining the algorithm for HCC treatment to the COVID-19 pandemic, permitting these patients to be safely managed by identifying those most at risk of neoplastic disease progression.

Gender and Autoimmune Liver Diseases: Relevant Aspects in Clinical Practice.

Autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) include autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The etiologies of AILD are not well understood but appear to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. AILDs commonly affect young individuals and are characterized by a highly variable clinical course. These diseases significantly influence quality of life and can progress toward liver decompensation or the onset of hepatocellular or cholangiocarcinoma; a significant number of patients eventually progress to end-stage liver disease, requiring liver transplantation. In this review, we focus on the sex characteristics and peculiarities of AILD patients and highlight the relevance of a sex-specific analysis in future studies. Understanding the sex differences underlying AILD immune dysregulation may be critical for developing more effective treatments.

Primary biliary cholangitis: perception and expectation of illness.

An important tool to explore personal experience of symptoms, treatment and clinical outcome is stratification of illness perception in patients affected by PBC. AIM: To assess the perception of illness in a cohort of Italian patients with PBC. METHODS: Between June and December 2019, a specific questionnaire was administered to a pool of 210 patients from 7 tertiary Italian centers, in order to identify and assess the patient's past history, symptoms and their impact on the quality of life, follow-up, treatment and perceived satisfaction of patients toward the provided care. RESULTS: Fatigue, pruritus, and abdominal discomfort and sicca syndrome were present in 50.4%, 45%, 30.4% and 28.5% of patients, fatigue having the most impacting the daily-life. After a consultation with a specialist, the diagnosis of PBC was met within 18 months for 143 patients. Patients were mostly concerned about possible health problems that occur and in 25% of cases, symptoms had a negative impact on their life. Eighty percent of patients said they were satisfied with efficacy and tolerability of treatment, while 26% requested an improvement in the relationship with the specialist. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the importance of both promoting timely referral to the specialist and facilitating communication between healthcare professionals and patients.

COVID-19 in liver transplant recipients: incidence, hospitalization and outcome in an Italian prospective double-centre study.

Liver transplant (LT) recipients are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2-infection (COVID-19), due to immunosuppression and comorbidities. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on LT recipients compared to general population in the Campania region. In this prospective double-centre study, we enrolled all consecutive adult LT recipients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infection. Data were collected at diagnosis of COVID-19 and during follow-up and compared with the regional population. Thirty LT recipients (3.28%) developed SARS-CoV-2-infection (76.66% male, median age 62.61 years). Sixteen (53.33%) were symptomatic. Common symptoms were fever, cough, fatigue, and anosmia. Twenty-five (83.33%) were outpatients, 5 (16.66%) required hospitalization (6.66% admitted to Intensive Care Unit, 6.62% developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and 6.66% died). Immunosuppressors were in 3 (10%) patients. Incidence rate of COVID-19 was similar between LT patients and general population (3.28% vs 4.37%, p = 0.142) with higher rate of symptoms in LT patients (53.33% vs 15.87%, p < 0.000). At univariate analysis, hospitalization and case fatality rates were higher in LT patients compared to general population (16.66% vs 4.54%, p = 0.001; and 6.66% vs 1.76%, p = 0.041, respectively). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, LT patients with COVID-19 were more frequently symptomatic (OR 5.447 [95% CI 2.437-12.177], p < 0.000), whereas hospitalization and death for COVID-19 were not significatively associated with LT condition (p = 0.724 and p = 0.462, respectively) and were comparable with general population. LT is not a risk factor for acquiring COVID-19. Nonetheless, LT patients are more frequently symptomatic, although comparable to the general population for hospitalization rate and mortality.

Beneficial Effects of Silybin Treatment After Viral Eradication in Patients With HCV-Related Advanced Chronic Liver Disease: A Pilot Study.

Introduction and Aims: HCV eradication by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) improves liver outcomes and reduces overall liver mortality. However, patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) may experience a progression of liver disease despite viral clearance. Silybin has shown hepatoprotective effects in experimental models, but clinical data are limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a highly bioavailable form of silybin on liver fibrosis in patients with HCV-related ACLD after viral eradication with DAAs, in comparison with the standard of care. Methods: In this multicenter and prospective study, HCV patients with ACLD achieving SVR12 were treated with the combination of silybinphospholipid complex with vitamin D and vitamin E (Realsil 100D®, Ibi Lorenzini S.p.A., Aprilia, Italy) for 12 months (R group) compared to controls (C group). Patients were submitted to transient elastography (TE) and to the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test at baseline, week 24, and week 48. Results: One hundred sixteen patients were enrolled, 56 in the R group and 60 in the C group. The median age was 68 years, and 53% were male, with no differences between groups. In both groups, liver stiffness improved at 6 and 12 months compared to baseline. However, patients in the R group compared to those in the C group showed a higher reduction of liver stiffness after 6 months (-2.05, 95% CI -3.89 to -0.22, p < 0.05) and 12 months of treatment (-2.79, 95% CI -4.5 to -1.09, p < 0.01) in comparison with baseline. No significant difference in the reduction of ELF was observed between the two groups. During the follow-up, four patients developed HCC, all in the C group. Conclusions: In HCV-related ACLD, the hepatoprotective effects of silybin may represent a tool to counteract liver disease progression.

Effectiveness of Hepatitis B Vaccination Campaign in Italy: Towards the Control of HBV Infection for the First Time in a European Country.

BACKGROUND: In 1991, a mass immunization campaign against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for children and teenagers was introduced in Italy. This study evaluated the impact of the immunization campaign on the incidence and modes of HBV transmission. METHOD: Acute HBV cases of viral hepatitis were reported to the National Surveillance System (SEIEVA). Hepatitis A cases reported to the same system were used as controls to calculate the adjusted odds ratios and the population attributable risk for potential risk factors. RESULTS: The incidence of acute HBV declined from 5.0 in 1990 to 0.4 in 2019 per 100,000 population. The fall was almost total in people targeted by the campaign: in 2019, zero cases (100% reduction) in the age-group 0-14 years and 0.1 cases per 100,000 population (99.4% reduction) in the age-group 15-24 years were reported. In the decade 2010-2019, nearly one-fifth (19.3%) of cases occurred in foreigners. Intravenous drug use is no longer a risk factor (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.5-1.02). Beauty treatments, risky sexual exposure, and household contact with an HBsAg carrier were found to be independent predictors of acute hepatitis B. CONCLUSIONS: The HB vaccination campaign proved effective in minimising acute HBV in Italy. Control of the infection is close to being reached for the first time in Europe.

Humoral Response to 2-dose BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination in Liver Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In the context of the Italian severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination program, liver transplant (LT) recipients were prioritized for vaccine administration, although the lower response to vaccines is a well-known problem in this population. We aimed to evaluate immunogenicity of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in LT recipients and healthy controls and to identify factors associated with negative response to vaccine. METHODS: In a cohort of adult patients with LT, we prospectively evaluated the humoral response (with anti-Spike protein IgG-LIAISON SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2-IgG chemiluminescent assay) at 1 and 3 months after 2-dose vaccination. A group of 307 vaccinated health care workers, matched by age and sex, served as controls. RESULTS: Overall, 492 LT patients were enrolled (75.41% male; median age, 64.85 years). Detectable antibodies were observed in the 75% of patients, with a median value of 73.9 AU/mL after 3 months from 2-dose vaccination. At multivariable analysis, older age (>40 years; P = .016), shorter time from liver transplantation (<5 years; P = .004), and immunosuppression with antimetabolites (P = .029) were significantly associated with non-response to vaccination. Moreover, the LT recipients showed antibody titers statistically lower than the control group (103 vs 261 AU/mL; P < .0001). Finally, in both controls and LT patients, we found a trend of inverse correlation between age and antibody titers (correlation coefficients: -0.2023 and -0.2345, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Three months after vaccination, LT recipients showed humoral response in 75% of cases. Older age, shorter time from transplantation, and use of antimetabolites were factors associated with non-response to vaccination, and LT recipients at risk of non-response to vaccination needed to be kept under close monitoring.

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991-2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign.

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come.