Impact of a performance monitoring intervention on the timeliness of Hepatitis B birth dose vaccination in the Gambia: a controlled interrupted time series analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The Hepatitis B virus that can cause liver cancer is highly prevalent in the Gambia, with one in ten babies at risk of infection from their mothers. Timely hepatitis B birth dose administration to protect babies is very low in The Gambia. Our study assessed whether 1) a timeliness monitoring intervention resulted in hepatitis B birth dose timeliness improvements overall, and 2) the intervention impacted differentially among health facilities with different pre-intervention performances. METHODS: We used a controlled interrupted time series design including 16 intervention health facilities and 13 matched controls monitored from February 2019 to December 2020. The intervention comprised a monthly hepatitis B timeliness performance indicator sent to health workers via SMS and subsequent performance plotting on a chart. Analysis was done on the total sample and stratified by pre-intervention performance trend. RESULTS: Overall, birth dose timeliness improved in the intervention compared to control health facilities. This intervention impact was, however, dependent on pre-intervention health facility performance, with large impact among poorly performing facilities, and with uncertain moderate and weak impacts among moderately and strongly performing facilities, respectively. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a novel hepatitis B vaccination timeliness monitoring system in health facilities led to overall improvements in both immediate timeliness rate and trend, and was especially helpful in poorly performing health facilities. These findings highlight the overall effectiveness of the intervention in a low-income setting, and also its usefulness to aid facilities in greatest need of improvement.

Residual risk of mother-to-child transmission of HBV despite timely Hepatitis B vaccination: a major challenge to eliminate hepatitis B infection in Cambodia.

BACKGROUND: In countries with intermediate or high hepatitis B virus (HBV) endemicity, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) represents the main route of chronic HBV infection. There is a paucity of information on HBV MTCT in Cambodia. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women and its MTCT rate in Siem Reap, Cambodia. METHODS: This longitudinal study included two parts, study-1 to screen HBsAg among pregnant women and study-2 to follow up babies of all HBsAg-positive and one-fourth of HBsAg-negative mothers at their delivery and six-month post-partum. Serum or dried blood spot (DBS) samples were collected to examine HBV sero-markers by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA), and molecular analyses were performed on HBsAg-positive samples. Structured questionnaires and medical records were used to examine the risk factors for HBV infection. MTCT rate was calculated by HBsAg positivity of 6-month-old babies born to HBsAg-positive mothers and ascertained by the homology of HBV genomes in mother-child pair at 6-month-old. RESULTS: A total of 1,565 pregnant women were screened, and HBsAg prevalence was 4.28% (67/1565). HBeAg positivity was 41.8% and was significantly associated with high viral load (p < 0.0001). Excluding subjects who dropped out due to restrictions during COVID-19, one out of 35 babies born to HBsAg-positive mothers tested positive for HBsAg at 6 months of age, despite receiving timely HepB birth dose and HBIG, followed by 3 doses of HepB vaccine. Hence the MTCT rate was 2.86%. The mother of the infected baby was positive for HBeAg and had a high HBV viral load (1.2 × 109 copies/mL). HBV genome analysis showed 100% homology between the mother and the child. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings illustrate the intermediate endemicity of HBV infection among pregnant women in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Despite full HepB vaccination, a residual risk of HBV MTCT was observed. This finding supports the recently updated guidelines for the prevention of HBV MTCT in 2021, which integrated screening and antiviral prophylaxis for pregnant women at risk of HBV MTCT. Furthermore, we strongly recommend the urgent implementation of these guidelines nationwide to effectively combat HBV in Cambodia.

First hepatitis B vaccine uptake in neonates prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Routine vaccination for hepatitis B is recommended at birth, and most infants should be vaccinated within 24 h of life. Historically, vaccination rates have been less than ideal, and routine vaccination has been further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with decreased uptake of many vaccines. This retrospective study assessed hepatitis B vaccination rates at birth before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and explored the factors associated with lower vaccination rates. METHODS: Infants born at a single academic medical center in Charleston, South Carolina from November 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021 were identified. Infants were excluded if they died or received ≥ 7 days of systemic steroid therapy within the first 37 days of life. Maternal and infant baseline characteristics and uptake of the first hepatitis B vaccine during hospital admission were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 7808 infants were included in the final analysis, with an overall vaccine uptake of 91.6 %. Of the 3880 neonates in the pre-pandemic group, 3583 (92.3 %) were vaccinated, versus 3571 (90.9 %) of 3928 neonates in the pandemic group (rate difference = 1.4 %; 95 % confidence interval -2.8 % to 5.7 %, p = 0.52). Factors independently associated with lower vaccine uptake included being of non-Hispanic white race, born to a married mother, birth weight < 2 kg, and parental refusal of erythromycin eye ointment at birth. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly affect the uptake of inpatient neonatal hepatitis B vaccination. Several patient-specific factors were associated with suboptimal vaccination rates in this population.

Who is protected? Determinants of hepatitis B infant vaccination completion among a prospective cohort of migrant workers in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B causes significant disease and death globally, despite the availability of effective vaccination. Migration likewise affects hundreds of millions of people annually, many of whom are women and children, and increases risks for poor vaccine completion and mother to child transmission of hepatitis B. In the neighbouring countries of Thailand and Myanmar, vaccine campaigns have made progress but little is known about the reach of these programs into migrant worker communities from Myanmar living in Thailand. METHODS: A cohort of 253 postpartum women (53 urban migrants in Chiang Mai and 200 rural migrants in Tak Province) were surveyed about their Hepatitis B knowledge and willingness to vaccinate their children between September 10, 2019 and March 30, 2019. They were subsequently followed to determine vaccine completion. When records of vaccination were unavailable at the birth facility, or visits were late, families were contacted and interviewed about vaccination elsewhere, and reasons for late or missed vaccines. RESULTS: Though women in Tak province displayed better knowledge of Hepatitis B and equal intention to vaccinate, they were 14 times less likely to complete Hepatitis B vaccination for their children compared to migrants in Chiang Mai. Tak women were largely undocumented, had private (non-profit) insurance and had more transient residence. In Chiang Mai migrant women were mostly documented and had full access to the Thai national health services. Though minor individual and facility-level differences may have contributed, the major driver of the disparity seems to be the place of migrants within local socio-political-economic systems. The COVID-19 pandemic further disproportionately affected Tak province migrants who faced severe travel restrictions hampering vaccination. Sixty percent of families who were lost to vaccine follow-up in Tak province could not be contacted by phone or home visit. Chiang Mai migrants, with 86.8% vaccine completion, nearly reached the target of 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Achievement of high levels of hepatitis B vaccination in migrant communities is important and feasible, and requires inclusive policies that integrate migrants into national health and social services. This is more urgent than ever during the COVID-19 era.

Effects of Decreased Immunization Coverage for Hepatitis B Virus Caused by COVID-19 in World Health Organization Western Pacific and African Regions, 2020.

The World Health Organization-designated Western Pacific Region (WPR) and African Region (AFR) have the highest number of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted childhood immunization, threatening progress toward elimination of hepatitis B by 2030. We used a published mathematical model to estimate the number of expected and excess HBV infections and related deaths after 10% and 20% decreases in hepatitis B birth dose or third-dose hepatitis B vaccination coverage of children born in 2020 compared with prepandemic 2019 levels. Decreased vaccination coverage resulted in additional chronic HBV infections that were 36,342-395,594 in the WPR and 9,793-502,047 in the AFR; excess HBV-related deaths were 7,150-80,302 in the WPR and 1,177-67,727 in the AFR. These findings support the urgent need to sustain immunization services, implement catch-up vaccinations, and mitigate disruptions in hepatitis B vaccinations in future birth cohorts.

Prevalence of undiagnosed hepatitis B virus infection in patients with COVID-19A single center retrospective study.

At its onset, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought significant challenges to healthcare systems, changing the focus of medical care on acute illness. Disruptions in medical service provision have impacted the field of viral hepatitis, with screening programs paused throughout much of 2020 and 2021. We performed a retrospective study on consecutive outpatients with COVID-19 during the second and third wave of COVID-19 in Romania, from November 2020 to April 2021, aiming to characterize the prevalence of undiagnosed hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among patients presenting with acute illness. Overall, 522 patients had available records during the study timespan. Their mean ±â€…standard deviation age was 51 ±â€…13 years; 274 (52.5%) were male. We identified 16 (3.1%) cases of active HBV infection; only six of these patients were aware of their HBV status, and 3 of the newly diagnosed cases were identified as candidates for HBV treatment. A total of 96 patients (18.4%) had serological markers suggestive for prior HBV vaccination. A large proportion of patients (n = 120, 23.0%) had positive HBV core antibodies; among these, 90 (17.2%) had cleared a previous HBV infection (being positive for HBV surface antibodies and HBV core antibodies). We identified the following parameters that were significantly more frequent in patients with a history of HBV infection: older age (P < .001), hypoalbuminemia (P = .015), thrombocytopenia (P < .001), thrombocytopenia followed by thrombocytosis (P = .041), increased blood urea nitrogen (P < .001) and increased creatinine (P = .011). In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us essential lessons about the importance of maintaining access to screening programs and of ensuring active monitoring of patients with chronic infections such as hepatitis B, even during a medical crisis.

Adenoviral Vectors: Potential as Anti-HBV Vaccines and Therapeutics.

Adenoviral vaccines have been at the front line in the fight against pandemics caused by viral infections such as Ebola and the coronavirus disease 2019. This has revived an interest in developing these vectors as vaccines and therapies against other viruses of health importance such as hepatitis B virus (HBV). Current hepatitis B therapies are not curative; hence, chronic hepatitis B remains the major risk factor for development of liver disease and death in HBV-infected individuals. The ability to induce a robust immune response and high liver transduction efficiency makes adenoviral vectors attractive tools for anti-HBV vaccine and therapy development, respectively. This review describes recent developments in designing adenoviral-vector-based therapeutics and vaccines against HBV infection.

Hepatitis B in Poland in 2020.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of the study was the assessment of hepatitis B epidemiological situation in Poland in 2019 compared to previous years, taking into consideration the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during that time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data for 2020 included in individual reports on hepatitis B and HBV infections recorded by sanitary and epidemiological stations at EpiBaza, i.e. in the electronic epidemiological surveillance system on infectious diseases, were analyzed. In the assessment of the epidemiological situation, data published in the annual bulletins: "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2020" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2020" were also used. Data on deaths were obtained from the Statistics Poland (GUS). RESULTS: In 2020, 2,854 cases of hepatitis B were reported, which corresponds to the incidence of 2.59 per 100,000 population, lower by 65.1% than in 2019. 14 cases of acute hepatitis B were reported, constituting 1.4% of all registered cases. The incidence of acute hepatitis B was 0.04 per 100,000 population and was lower by 67% compared to 2019 and lower by 71% compared to the median for the years 2014-2018. There were no cases of acute disease in the age group 0-29 years. A total of 978 chronic and unknown hepatitis B cases (UNK) were registered and the diagnosis rate was 2.56 per 100,000 population, lower by 64.2% than in 2019. Compared to the median diagnosis rate of chronic hepatitis B in 2014-2018, a decrease of 70.4% was observed. In the age group 0-19 years, there was no case reported. In 2020, 24 people died due to hepatitis B, including 22 from chronic hepatitis B. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant reduction in the number of HBV tests performed and, consequently, a reduction in the number of diagnosed infections. A decrease in the number of detected infections was observed from the second quarter of 2020, i.e. from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, although already in the first quarter of 2020 the number of registered hepatitis B cases was lower than in the same period in 2019. No acute cases were reported among people who were vaccinated against hepatitis B during childhood. Vaccination with three doses of hepatitis B vaccine in children in the second year of life was only slightly lower than in 2019, which proves the stability of the implementation of the preventive vaccination program, despite the limited access to primary health care during the pandemic.

Knowledge about Hepatitis B Virus and Relevant Safety Precautions among Dental Students in Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still a major health problem worldwide, placing healthcare workers, medical and dental students, and professionals at higher occupational risk. The present study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge about this virus and relevant safety precautions among dental students in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Materials and methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among the third, fourth, and fifth stage dental students of Hawler Medical, Sulaimani, and Duhok universities. Data on the students' demographic characteristics and their knowledge about HBV (16 close-ended questions) and safety precaution measures (10 close-ended questions) were collected by means of a questionnaire. Analysis of variance was used to compare the mean of knowledge and safety precaution scores. Results: In total, 372 students (mean age 21.77 ± 1.31 years) completed the questionnaires. The mean scores for knowledge and safety precautions were 13.17 ± 2.09 and 8.05 ± 1.61, respectively. Respondents from Hawler Medical University showed statistically significantly higher knowledge levels than their counterparts in Sulaimani and Duhok universities (p = 0.012). Conclusions: The majority of surveyed dental students are aware of HBV, its mode of transmission, infection, complications, vaccination, and safety precautions required to prevent the spreading of the virus. While the levels of knowledge about HBV and safety precautions among the dental students in the Kurdistan region of Iraq were generally acceptable, differences in knowledge level were identified between the universities, and these may be related to their educational and training programs.

Ways to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis as a Global Health Threat.

Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) have been recognized by the World Health Organization [...].

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of hepatitis B virus infection in Italy over the last 50 years.

A relevant gradual reduction of both the incidence rate of acute hepatitis B (AHB) and prevalence of chronic hepatitis B has occurred in Italy in the last 50 years, due to substantial epidemiological changes: Improvement in socioeconomic and hygienic conditions, reduction of the family unit, accurate screening of blood donations, abolition of re-usable glass syringes, hepatitis B virus (HBV)-universal vaccination started in 1991, use of effective well tolerated nucleo(t)side analogues able to suppress HBV replication available from 1998, and educational mediatic campaigns against human immunodeficiency virus infection focusing on the prevention of sexual and parenteral transmission of infections. As an example, AHB incidence has gradually decreased from 10/100000 inhabitants in 1985 to 0.21 in 2020. Unfortunately, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has interrupted the trend towards HBV eradication. In fact, several HBV chronic carriers living in the countryside have become unable to access healthcare facilities for screening, diagnosis, clinical management, and nucleo(t)side analogue therapy in the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly for anxiety of becoming infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), movement restrictions, and reduced gains from job loss. In addition, one-third of healthcare facilities and personnel for HBV patients have been devolved to the COVID-19 assistance.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hepatitis B virus vaccination and transmission among men who have sex with men: A mathematical modelling study.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccinations among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been considerably lower than before the pandemic. Moreover, less frequent HBV testing and a reduction in numbers of sex partners have been reported. We assessed the impact of these COVID-19-related changes on HBV transmission among MSM in the Netherlands. METHODS: We estimated the changes in sexual activity, HBV testing, and HBV vaccination among MSM during the pandemic from Dutch data. We used a deterministic compartmental model and investigated scenarios with small or large declines in sexual activity, testing, and vaccination for the current phase of the pandemic (without available data). We examined the increase in HBV vaccinations needed to prevent further increase in HBV incidence. RESULTS: With a decrease in numbers of sex partners of 15-25% during the first lockdown and 5% during the second lockdown, we found a decline of 6.6% in HBV incidence in 2020, despite a >70% reduction in HBV testing and vaccination during the first lockdown. With numbers of sex partners rebounding close to pre-pandemic level in 2021, and a reduction of 15% in testing and 30% in vaccination in 2021, we found an increase of 1.4% in incidence in 2021 and 3.1% in 2026. With these changes, an increase of ≥60% in HBV vaccinations in 2022 would be needed to bring the HBV incidence in 2023 back to the level that it would have had if the COVID-19-related changes had not occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Despite reductions in sexual activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the decrease in HBV vaccinations may result in a small increase in HBV incidence after 2021, which may persist for years. It is important to restore the vaccination level and limit further increase in HBV transmission among MSM.

Adult immunization against hepatitis B: Does the number of jabs matter?

BACKGROUND: At least one-half of adults beginning an immunization series with a three-dose hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine (ENGERIX-B, RECOMBIVAX-B) have been reported not to receive the third dose. Use of a two-dose vaccine may improve adherence and lead to greater overall levels of seroprotection. OBJECTIVE: To examine expected levels of adherence and overall seroprotection at one year among adults in routine clinical settings beginning an immunization series with either ENGERIX-B or the two-dose HBV vaccine, HEPLISAV-B. METHODS: Decision-analytic model comparing expected levels of adherence and overall seroprotection at one year among a hypothetical cohort of one million previously unvaccinated adults aged ≥ 30 years receiving first doses of either ENGERIX-B or HEPLISAV-B in a routine clinical setting. We stratified the population by age (30-49 years vs ≥ 50 years) to allow for possible differences in adherence and seroprotection. We estimated our model using published adherence rates for HBV vaccines, and reported seroprotection rates by number of doses administered. We also compared total expected costs of HBV immunization with each vaccine. RESULTS: Use of a two-dose rather than three-dose HBV vaccine would increase the expected number of adults seroprotected at one year by 275,000 per one million persons beginning immunization series, largely reflecting a gain of 290,000 in the expected number of persons fully vaccinated. Results were similar for the two age groups. While the cost per dose of HEPLISAV-B exceeds that of ENGERIX-B, its estimated mean cost per person seroprotected at one year is $50-$70 (∼15%) lower. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a two-dose HBV vaccine would increase the number of adults fully seroprotected at one year compared with the number expected with a three-dose vaccine. Notwithstanding its higher unit cost, mean expected cost per person seroprotected is substantially lower for HEPLISAV-B than ENGERIX-B as a result of much higher levels of seroprotection.

Prevalence of hepatitis B immunity and infection in home self-sampling HIV service users.

OBJECTIVES: Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination for high-risk groups including gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) is recommended in the UK, data on HBV immunisation coverage are limited. This study aimed to understand the prevalence of HBV infection, susceptibility and immunity due to immunisation among a high-risk population of MSM and heterosexuals who are less likely to attend sexual health services. METHODS: Residual HIV-negative serology samples archived from a national HIV self-sampling service in 2016 were tested for HBV markers using an unlinked anonymous approach. Prevalence of HBV infection, evidence of immunisation and susceptibility were calculated and stratified by individuals' characteristics. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate relative risk ratios (RRRs) associated with covariates. RESULTS: Of 2172 samples tested, 1497 (68.9%) were from MSM and 657 (30.2%) were from heterosexuals. Susceptibility to HBV infection was 66.1% among MSM and 77.0% among heterosexuals. Only 29.9% of MSM and 17.4% of heterosexuals had serological evidence of immunisation. Current infection was 1.1% in heterosexuals and 0.2% in MSM. Adjusted analysis showed evidence of immunisation was lower among heterosexuals (RRR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.86) and those with no previous HIV test (RRR 0.41, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.54), and higher in those of other white or other ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Among MSM and heterosexual users of a self-sampling HIV service, evidence of immunisation to HBV infection was low and susceptibility to infection was comparatively high, suggesting suboptimal delivery of HBV immunisation in sexual health services.

Acute hepatitis B in pregnancy with surprisingly rapid clearance of serum HBs antigen associated with a favourable outcome.

Acute hepatitis B (AHB) is usually asymptomatic, but it can progress to chronic hepatitis B (HB) defined by HB surface antigen (HBsAg) persisting beyond 6 months. Nevertheless, the delay of HBsAg seroclearance is not well-defined. During pregnancy, the immune system of the pregnant women is altered and delayed HBsAg loss can be observed, leading to chronic infection. Here, we present an uncommon case of AHB in a pregnant woman in whom rapid HBsAg seroclearance (52 days after AHB) was associated with a favourable outcome (no injury to liver). This patient received tenofovir disoproxil fumarate promptly after diagnosis. The case raises questions about the use of antiviral treatment in AHB. This is generally not recommended in AHB, but it would be potentially useful in pregnant women to reduce the risk of chronic HB infection and could also prevent the transmission of the maternal precore mutation, thus reducing the significant risk of fulminant hepatitis in the infant. This case also highlights the impact of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and precore/core mutations on the clinical course of the disease.

Management of hepatitis B virus reactivation due to treatment of COVID-19.

The world has made significant progress in developing novel treatments for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Some treatments target the patient's dysregulated inflammatory response during COVID-19 infection and may cause hepatitis B reactivation (HBVr) in patients with current or past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This review summarizes the risk and management of HBVr due to different treatments of COVID-19 in patients who have current or past HBV infection. Abnormal liver function tests are common during COVID-19 infection. Current evidence suggests that current or past HBV infection is not associated with an increased risk of liver injury and severe disease in COVID-19 patients. Among patients who received high-dose corticosteroids, various immunosuppressive monoclonal antibodies and inhibitors of Janus kinase, the risk of HBVr exists, especially among those without antiviral prophylaxis. Data, however, remain scarce regarding the specific use of immunosuppressive therapies in COVID-19 patients with HBV infection. Some results are mainly extrapolated from patients receiving the same agents in other diseases. HBVr is a potentially life-threatening event following profound immunosuppression by COVID-19 therapies. Future studies should explore the use of immunosuppressive therapies in COVID-19 patients with HBV infection and the impact of antiviral prophylaxis on the risk of HBVr.