Field-applicable simultaneous multiplex LAMP assay for screening HBV and HCV co-infection in a single tube.

BACKGROUND: Globally, around 7 to 20 million people are believed to be suffering from coinfection with both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) approach, introduced by Notomi and colleagues, has undergone substantial advancements as an effective molecular tool that enables the simultaneous analysis of multiple samples in a single tube. METHODS: The present study examined the simultaneous detection of HBV and HCV in a single tube using melt curve analysis multiplex LAMP (mLAMP), which is based on the identification of unique melting peak temperatures. Selected regions for primer design including the S gene of HBV and the UTR gene of HCV. Primer optimization is initially performed through individual HBV and HCV LAMP analysis. Following the optimization process, the mLAMP assay was evaluated by optimizing the multiplex reaction mixture, determining the reaction time, and analyzing the limit of detection (LOD). The results are also analyzed using lateral flow dipsticks (LFD), which enable the visual detection of HBV and HCV by adding 20 pmol FITC-labeled LF primers into the reaction mixture prior the mLAMP. RESULTS: The LOD for the mLAMP assay was determined as 10 copies/µl, and no cross-reactivity with other microorganisms was detected. The detection results obtained from patient plasma were also visually demonstrated using LFD, and displayed significant concordance with those obtained from Real-Time Polymerase Chain Assay. The mLAMP assay revealed a diagnostic sensitivity of 95% for detecting the HBV, and LOD is 90% for HCV. The overall diagnostic sensitivity of the mLAMP assay for both viruses was 85%. The assay confirmed a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSION: The mLAMP assay displays significant promise for analyzing coinfected samples by simultaneously detecting the dual targets HBV and HCV within a set temperature of 62 °C, all within a time frame of 1 h. Additionally, when paired with disposable LFD, the mLAMP assay enables rapid visual detection of assay results in a matter of minutes. The result contributes to the mLAMP assay being highly suitable for coinfection screening, particularly in field conditions.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses and some possible associated factors among cancer patients at the Oncology Treatment Center, Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients are prone to infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which pose a major public health challenge, especially in developing countries. However, little is known about the magnitude of these infections among cancer patients in Ethiopia. Thus, this study determined the prevalence of HBV and HCV in cancer patients at the Oncology Treatment Center, Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 115 cancer patients from 15 April to 22 July 2023 at the Oncology Treatment Center, Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. Sociodemographic, clinical, and other relevant data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Five milliliters of venous blood were collected using a vacutainer tube, serum was harvested and tested for HBV and HCV using a one-step HBsAg and anti-HCV test strip with further confirmation through an ELISA test kit. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and Fisher exact test was used to determine the association between HBV/HCV infection and associated factors. RESULTS: Out of 115 cancer patients, the majority (62.6%) were females. The median age was 50 (IQR; 40-56) years. The overall prevalence of HBV and HCV infections was 4.3% (95% CI; 0.6-8%) and 6.1% (95% CI; 1.7-10.5%), respectively. Sex was significantly associated with the prevalence of HCV (p = 0.011) with higher anti-HCV positivity in males (14%) than in females (1.4%). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the prevalence of HCV was higher and the HBV prevalence was intermediate in cancer patients. To reduce the burden of HBV and HCV infections, it is crucial to provide access to HBV and HCV screening services, strengthen vaccination, and improve prompt treatment in cancer patients.

Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in Non-Liver Solid Organ Transplantation: Incidence and Risk Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) can occur in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with previously inactive hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Previous studies have reported that HBVr is generally less than 10% in nonliver SOT recipients with past HBV infection. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study from January 2018 to August 2023 at Mayo Clinic sites in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota. We examined the antiviral prophylaxis strategy used and the characteristics of HBVr in hepatitis B core antibody-positive (HBcAb +) nonliver SOT adult recipients. Past HBV infection was defined as HBcAb + / hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) -. Chronic HBV infection was defined as HBcAb + / HBsAg +. RESULTS: A total of 180 nonliver SOT recipients were identified during the study period. Indefinite antiviral prophylaxis was utilized in 77 recipients, and none developed HBVr after transplantation. In 103 recipients without antiviral prophylaxis, the incidence of HBVr was 12% (12/97) and 33% (2/6) in those with past HBV infection and chronic HBV infection. The incidence of HBVr in patients with past HBV infection is 16% (8/50), 15% (3/20), and 5% (1/22) in kidney, heart, and lungs, respectively. HBVr was more frequent in those who received alemtuzumab. Among 14 recipients with HBVr, none had HBV-associated liver failure or death. CONCLUSIONS: Our study observed a higher rate of HBVr (12%) in nonliver SOT recipients with past HBV infection compared to the previous studies. Further studies are needed to identify predictors of HBVr in nonliver SOT recipients and optimize antiviral prophylaxis guidance.

Risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation in cancer patients undergoing treatment with tyrosine kinase-inhibitors.

This editorial commented on an article in the World Journal of Gastroenterology titled "Risks of Reactivation of Hepatitis B Virus in Oncological Patients Using Tyrosine Kinase-Inhibitors: Case Report and Literature Analysis" by Colapietro et al. In this editorial, we focused on providing a more comprehensive exploration of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) associated with the usage of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). It includes insights into the mechanisms underlying HBV reactivation, the temporal relationship between TKIs and HBV reactivation, and preventive measures. The aim is to understand the need for nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAT) and serial blood tests for early recognition of reactivation and acute liver injury, along with management strategies. TKIs are considered to be an intermediate (1%-10%) of HBVr. Current guidelines stipulate that patients receiving therapy with high or moderate risks of reactivation or recent cancer diagnosis must have at least tested hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis B core antigen (HBc), and anti-hepatitis B surface antibody. Anti-HBc screening in highly endemic areas means people with negative tests should be vaccinated against HBV. Nucleoside or nucleotide analogs (NAs) like entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) form the basis of HBV reactivation prophylaxis and treatment during immunosuppression. Conversely, lamivudine, telbivudine, and adefovir are generally discouraged due to their reduced antiviral efficacy and higher risk of fostering drug-resistant viral strains. However, these less effective NAs may still be utilized in cases where ETV, TDF, and TAF are not feasible treatment options.

Performance evaluation of the MAGLUMI Hepatitis B virus surface antigen chemiluminescence immunoassay.

A highly sensitive and reliable Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) measurement is essential to universal screening, timely diagnosis, and management of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of MAGLUMI HBsAg chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). MAGLUMI HBsAg (CLIA) was compared against ARCHITECT HBsAg. 411 HBsAg positive samples, including different stages of infection, genotypes, subtypes, mutants, and 30 seroconversion panels were tested to evaluate diagnostic sensitivity. Diagnostic specificity was evaluated by testing 205 hospitalized samples and 5101 blood donor samples. Precision, limit of blank (LoB), limit of detection (LoD), and linearity were also verified. The diagnostic sensitivity of the MAGLUMI HBsAg (CLIA) was 100% with better seroconversion sensitivity than ARCHITECT HBsAg. The MAGLUMI HBsAg (CLIA) has optimal detection efficacy for HBV subgenotypes samples. The analytical sensitivity is 0.039 IU/mL. The initial diagnostic specificity is 99.63% on blood donors and 96.59% on hospitalized samples. The verification data demonstrated high repeatability, a LoB of 0.02 IU/mL, LoD of 0.05 IU/mL and an excellent linearity of 0.050-250 IU/mL (R2 = 0.9946). The MAGLUMI HBsAg (CLIA) is proved a highly sensitive and reliable assay with optimal subgenotype detection efficacy.

The Characteristic of HBV Quasispecies Is Related to Occult HBV Infection of Infants Born to Highly Viremic Mothers.

Although a combination of immunoprophylaxis and antiviral therapy can effectively prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV), a considerable number of infants born to highly viremic mothers still develop occult HBV infection (OBI). To uncover the virological factor and risk predictor for OBI in infants, we found that the diversity and complexity of maternal HBV quasispecies in the case group were lower than those in the control group. Mutations with significant differences between the two groups were most enriched in the NTCPbd and PreC regions. Genetic distance at the amino-acid level of the PreC region, especially the combination of three amino-acid mutations in the PreC region, could strongly predict the risk of OBI in infants. HBV quasispecies in OBI infants were highly complex, and the non-synonymous substitutions were mainly found in the RT and HBsAg regions. The sK47E (rtQ55R) and sP49L mutations in OBI infants might contribute to OBI through inhibiting the production of HBV DNA and HBsAg, respectively. This study found the potential virological factors and risk predictors for OBI in infants born to highly viremic mothers, which might be helpful for controlling OBI in infants.

Neural Network Enables High Accuracy for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Detection with a Plasmonic Platform.

The detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is critical in diagnosing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, existing clinical detection technologies inevitably cause certain inaccuracies, leading to delayed or unwarranted treatment. Here, we introduce a label-free plasmonic biosensing method based on the thickness-sensitive plasmonic coupling, combined with supervised deep learning (DL) using neural networks. The strategy of utilizing neural networks to process output data can reduce the limit of detection (LOD) of the sensor and significantly improve the accuracy (from 93.1%-97.4% to 99%-99.6%). Compared with widely used emerging clinical technologies, our platform achieves accurate decisions with higher sensitivity in a short assay time (∼30 min). The integration of DL models considerably simplifies the readout procedure, resulting in a substantial decrease in processing time. Our findings offer a promising avenue for developing high-precision molecular detection tools for point-of-care (POC) applications.

High prevalence of hepatitis B and HIV among women survivors of sexual violence in South Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

INTRODUCTION: Limited data are available on the prevalence rates of hepatitis B and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among women survivors of sexual violence (WSSV) in South Kivu province, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where armed conflicts persist. Here, we aimed to assess the prevalence of these two infections in this vulnerable local population. METHODS: A total of 1002 WSSV, aged from 18 to 70 years old were enrolled from May 2018 to May 2020 at three healthcare facilities (Panzi, Mulamba and Bulenga hospitals), which are called "The One-Stop Centre Care Model" for the management of sexual violence in South Kivu. Blood samples were collected and tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens and antibodies using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) methods. Subsequently, viral load quantification for HBV and HIV were performed using the GeneXpert. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with HIV-positive and HBV-positive status. RESULTS: For HBV, overall prevalence was 8.9% (95% CI; 7.2-10.8%), 32.1% (95% CI; 29.3-35.0%), and 14.5% (95% CI; 12.3-16.8%) for HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs antibodies, respectively. Among the 89 HBsAg-positive patients, 17 (19.1%) were HBeAg-positive. The median age of individuals with a positive HBsAg test was higher than those with a negative test (median: 40 years (IQR 30-52) compared to 36 years (IQR 24-48)). Risk factors for HBV infection were age (≥35 years) (AOR = 1.83 [1.02-3.32]; p = 0.041), having no schooling (AOR = 4.14 [1.35-12.62]; p = 0.012) or only primary school-level (AOR = 4.88 [1.61-14.75]; p = 0.005), and multiple aggressors (AOR = 1.76 [1.09-2.84], p = 0.019). The prevalence of HIV was 4.3% [95% CI: 3.1-5.7%]. HIV/HBV co-infection occurred only in 5 individuals (0.5%). The HBV viral load was detectable (> 1 log10 UI/mL) in 61.8% of HBsAg-positive subjects and 64.8% HIV-positive subjects had a high viral load (≥ 3 log10 copies/mL). CONCLUSION: This study revealed a high prevalence of HBV and HIV infections among WSSV in South Kivu. The results generated highlight the urgent need for systematic screening of HBV and HIV by integrating fourth-generation ELISA tests in HIV and HBV control programs.

Prevalence of HBV genotypes among patients attending Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital liver clinic.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) belongs to the genus Orthohepadnavirus, of Hepadnaviridae family, smallest human deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) virus with 3200 bp in a partially double-stranded circular DNA. Globally, about 2 billion people are infected with over 65 million of the chronically infected residing in Africa. Ten HBV genotypes (A-J) have been reported across the globe. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) African Regions including Kenya have high HBV prevalence rates yet the data on prevalence rates of the various HBV genotypes and their associated biomarkers is very scanty. A cross-sectional descriptive study with purposive sampling was conducted in which a census of patients with chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) with history >6-month were reviewed for eligibility. Demographics data was abstracted from patient files and blood samples drawn for genotyping, viral load using Rotor gene Q Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) equipment, Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis B envelope antigen (HbeAg) and Hepatitis B core antibody (Anti-HBc) using Cobas e411 machine. Out of a total of 83 patients, 43 (52%) were eligible; males 29 (67.4%), females 14 (32.6%) with mean ages of 35.1±10.8 and 34.3±9.3 respectively. Genotypes A were 34(79.1%), B were 5(11.6%), C-D were 0 while E-J were 9(20.9%). All cases of genotype B were associated with co-infection of genotype A. Majority were HBeAg negative with HBV DNA >10 IU/ml (81.4% and 86.0% respectively) with distribution among all the genotypes. Across genotypes, viral load mean percentage comparisons were: A vs. A/B = 2600 (p = 0.09), A vs. E-J = 5260 (p = 0.09) and A/B vs. E-J = 200 (p = 0.28). The most prevalent genotype was A followed by mixed co-infection of genotype A/B. Genotype A was associated with HBV DNA viral loads > 10IU/ml and high rates of HBeAg negativity. Genotypes E-J were also detected though not characterized.

Risk Factors and Nomogram Model for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Low-Level Viremia.

Background and aim: Patients with chronic hepatitis B patients (CHB) with low-level viremia (LLV) are not necessarily at low risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The question of whether CHB patients with LLV require immediate antiviral agent (AVT) or long-term AVT remains controversial. The study aims to investigate the risk of HCC development and the risk factors in CHB patients with LLV and construct a nomogram model predicting the risk of HCC. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study that enrolled 16,895 CHB patients from January 2008 to December 2020. The patients were divided into three groups for comparison: the LLV group, maintained virological response (MVR) group and HBV-DNA>2000 group. The cumulative incidence of progression to HCC was assessed. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the final risk factors, and a nomogram model was constructed. The 10-fold Cross-Validation method was utilized for internal validation. Results: A total of 408 new cases of HCC occurred during the average follow-up period of 5.78 years. The 3, 5, and 10-year cumulative HCC risks in the LLV group were 3.56%, 4.96%, and 9.51%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the cumulative risk of HCC between the HBV-DNA level > 2000 IU/mL and LLV groups (p = 0.049). Independent risk factors for HCC development in LLV group included male gender, age, presence of cirrhosis, and platelets count. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) values for the 3-year and 5-year prediction from our HCC risk prediction model were 0.75 and 0.76, respectively. Conclusion: Patients with LLV and MVR are still at risk for developing HCC. The nomogram established for CHB patient with LLV, incorporating identified significant risk factors, serves as an effective tool for predicting HCC-free outcomes. This nomogram model provides valuable information for determining appropriate surveillance strategies and prescribing AVT.

Clinical performance of Circulating HBV RNA and iTACT-HBcrAg Assays in HBeAg-negative and HBsAg-cleared Chronic Hepatitis B Patients.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) have been reported to reflect the transcriptional activity of covalently closed circular HBV DNA. We retrospectively investigated the proportions of quantifiable serum HBV RNA and immunoassay for total antigen including complex via pretreatment-hepatitis B core-related antigen (iTACT-HBcrAg) in chronic hepatitis B patients negative for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and/or with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance. This study included 246 HBeAg-negative HBV-infected patients, who comprised 13 with liver cirrhosis (LC, the LC group), 118 chronic hepatitis (CH, the CH group), and 115 inactive carriers (IC, the IC group), and 44 patients with HBsAg seroclearance. iTACT-HBcrAg and HBV RNA levels were determined using stored serum samples. Higher proportions of the patients had quantifiable iTACT-HBcrAg than HBV RNA in all groups of HBeAg-negative patients (iTACT-HBcrAg: 84.6%, 90.7%, 35.7%, HBV RNA: 23.1%, 26.3%, 14.8%, for the LC, CH, IC groups). With HBsAg seroclearance (HBsAg <0.05 IU/mL), the proportions of quantifiable samples for HBV RNA were also lower than iTACT-HBcrAg (0% for HBV RNA). Thus, iTACT-HBcrAg was more often detectable than circulating HBV RNA in this study population. Further long-term prospective evaluation of iTACT-HBcrAg is desirable for its utilization in clinical practice.

Rapid and Reliable Protein-Free HBV DNA Extraction and Sensitive Branched DNA Southern Blot Assay.

HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) plays an important role in the persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by serving as the template for transcription of viral RNAs. To cure HBV infection, it is expected that cccDNA needs either to be eliminated or silenced. Hence, precise cccDNA quantification is essential. Sample preparation is crucial to specifically detect cccDNA. Southern blot is regarded as the "gold standard" for specific cccDNA detection but lacks sensitivity. Here, we describe a rapid and reliable modified kit-based, HBV protein-free DNA extraction method as well as a novel enhanced sensitivity Southern blot that uses branched DNA technology to detect HBV DNA in cell culture and liver tissue samples. It is useful for both HBV molecular biology and antiviral research.

A Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization (CISH) Assay for Detection of HBV RNA, DNA, and cccDNA in Liver Tissue.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) developed highly intricates mechanisms exploiting host resources for its multiplication within a constrained genetic coding capacity. With the aid of a series of classical analytical methods such as ultrafiltration, and Southern and Northern blots, a general framework of HBV life cycle has been established. However, this picture still lacks many key histological contexts which involves pathophysiological changes of hepatocytes, non-parenchymal cells, infiltrated leukocytes, and associated extracellular matrix. Here, we describe a CISH protocol modified from the ViewRNA assay that allows direct visualization of HBV RNA, DNA, and cccDNA in liver tissue of chronic hepatitis B patients. By coupling it with immunohistochemistry and other histological stains, much richer information regarding the HBV-induced pathological changes can be harvested.

One-Step Reverse Transcriptase qPCR Method for Serum Hepatitis B Virus RNA Quantification.

In recent years, serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA has been identified as a promising noninvasive surrogate biomarker of intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), detection of which requires an invasive liver biopsy in patients with chronic HBV infection. It is impractical to detect intrahepatic cccDNA as a routine diagnosis for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in clinical management. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for serum HBV RNA quantification, which can reflect the activity of intrahepatic cccDNA. The procedure includes three major steps: (1) Simultaneous isolation of HBV DNA and RNA from patients' serum, (2) DNase I digestion for removing HBV DNA contamination, and (3) HBV RNA quantification by one-step reverse transcription qPCR.

Detection technology and clinical applications of serum viral products of hepatitis B virus infection.

Viral hepatitis, caused by its etiology, hepatitis virus, is a public health problem globally. Among all infections caused by hepatitis-associated viruses, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains the most serious medical concern. HBV infection particularly affects people in East Asia and Africa, the Mediterranean region, and Eastern Europe, with a prevalence rate of > 2%. Currently, approximately 1 billion people worldwide are infected with HBV, and nearly 30% of them experience chronic infection. Chronic HBV infection can lead to chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), resulting in the related death of approximately 1 million people annually. Although preventative vaccines and antiviral therapies are currently available, there is no cure for this infection. Clinical testing is not only the gateway for diagnosis of HBV infection, but also crucial for judging the timing of medication, evaluating the effect of antiviral therapy, and predicting the risk of relapse after drug withdrawal in the whole follow-up management of hepatitis B infected persons. With advances in detection technology, it is now possible to measure various viral components in the blood to assess the clinical status of HBV infection. Serum viral products of HBV infection, such as HBV DNA, HBV RNA, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B e-antigen, and hepatitis B core-related antigen, are non-invasive indicators that are critical for the rapid diagnosis and management of related diseases. Improving the sensitivity of monitoring of these products is essential, and the development of corresponding detection technologies is pivotal in achieving this goal. This review aims to offer valuable insights into CHB infection and references for its effective treatment. We provide a comprehensive and systematic overview of classical and novel methods for detecting HBV serum viral products and discusses their clinical applications, along with the latest research progress in this field.

Impact of universal hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening using chemotherapy orders on the HBV reactivation in cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation (HBVr) induced by chemotherapy in patients with resolved or chronic infection can lead to severe consequences. Despite recommendations, rates of HBV screening before chemotherapy are low due to poor recognition of risk factors by clinicians. The aim of the study is to assess whether routine HBV screening using universal HBV screening on chemotherapy orders (CO) could reduce HBVr incidence. METHODS: This is a 1-year retrospective single-center observational study of patients who received intravenous chemotherapy post implementation of CO. We compared the incidence of HBVr in three groups of patients: those screened through CO (group 1), those screened by the medical team (group 2), and those not screened (group 3). RESULTS: On a total of 1374 patients, 179 of 206 patients were screened as requested on CO (group 1) and 421 by the medical team (group 2), whereas 747 patients were not screened (group 3). Only one HBVr occurred, and no difference was seen on the incidence of HBVr between group 1 and group 3 (0% vs 0.1%; p = 1.00), probably because of a lack of follow-up after chemotherapy. Follow-up for HBVr was imperfect in group 1 and group 2 (16.7% vs 5.6%; p = 0.32). Screening was done for 92% of patients on anti-CD20 therapy. In group 3, 89 patients had ALT elevation during chemotherapy but only 17 (19%) were tested for HBVr. CONCLUSION: Systematic HBV detection requested on CO is an effective way to obtain a high percentage of patients with adequate screening, particularly when chemotherapy is at high risk of HBVr. Nevertheless, this screening method do not guarantee optimal follow-up and requires improvements.

Nano-immuno-conjugates inspired by hydrophilic perovskite fluorescent spheres and magnetic assisted for detection of hepatitis B surface antigen.

The rampant hepatitis B virus (HBV) seriously endangers human health, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is its early diagnostic marker. Therefore, it is crucial to construct a fast and highly sensitive HBsAg detection method. Based on high-efficiency magnetic separation technology and fluorescent composite material labelling technology, an accurate, fast and sensitive fluorescent immunosensing system for HBsAg detection was developed. Immunomagnetic beads constructed from carboxyl-functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4-COOH) with excellent magnetic response performance were used as efficient capture carriers for HBsAg. Immunofluorescence composite microspheres constructed based on ultra-stable polystyrene-coated CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (CPB@PSAA) with high hydrophilic properties, were excellent fluorescent markers for HBsAg. Using this sensitive sandwich fluorescence sensing system a good linear relationship within the range of 0.2-15 ng/mL was established between HBsAg concentration and fluorescence intensity with a limit of detection (LOD) of  0.05 ng/mL. The system obtained satisfactory results when tested on real human serum samples. The magnetic-assisted fluorescence immune-sandwich sensor system has broad application prospects in biomedicine such as rapid and early diagnosis and effective prevention of infectious diseases.

Progress Toward Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus - Region of the Americas, 2012-2022.

In 2022, an estimated 5 million persons in the World Health Organization Region of the Americas (AMR) were living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis worldwide. Most chronic infections are acquired through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) or horizontal transmission during childhood and are preventable with hepatitis B vaccination, including a birth dose (HepB-BD), followed by 2-3 additional doses (HepB3) in infancy. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Elimination of MTCT of HBV infection strategy is intended to reduce chronic HBV infection (measured by hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] seroprevalence) to ≤0.1% among children by achieving 1) ≥95% coverage with HepB-BD and HepB3; and 2) ≥80% of pregnant women received testing for HBsAg, and provision of hepatitis B immunoglobulin to HBV-exposed neonates. By 2012, all 51 AMR countries and territories (countries) provided HepB3 nationwide, and by 2021, 34 (67%) provided HepB-BD nationwide. Mathematical models estimate that HBsAg seroprevalence in children is ≤0.1% in 14 (28%) of 51 countries and at the regional level. Three (6%) of 51 countries met the 95% coverage targets for both HepB3 and HepB-BD during both 2021 and 2022. Of these, two have likely met criteria for the elimination of MTCT of HBV infection. However, in 2022, HepB3 coverage had declined by ≥10 percentage points in 15 (37%) of 41 countries with 2012 coverage data for comparison. These declines in HepB3 coverage, as well as the absence of HepB-BD in the routine immunization schedules in 17 countries, threaten PAHO's progress toward the elimination of MTCT of HBV infection. Efforts to introduce HepB-BD and maintain high HepB3 and HepB-BD coverage are needed.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection and its determinants among pregnant women in East Africa: Systematic review and Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major public health problems globally and needs an urgent response. It is one of the most responsible causes of mortality among the five hepatitis viruses, and it affects almost every class of individuals. Different studies were conducted on the prevalence of HBV among pregnant women in East African countries, but none of them showed the pooled prevalence of HBV among the pregnant women. Thus, the main objective of this study was to determine the pooled prevalence and its determinants among pregnant women in East Africa. METHODS: We searched studies using PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and grey literature that were published between January 01/2020 to January 30/2024. The studies were assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) quality assessment scale. The random-effect (DerSimonian) model was used to determine the pooled prevalence and associated factors of HBV among pregnant women. Heterogeneity were assessed by I2 statistic, sub-group analysis, and sensitivity analysis. Publication bias was assessed by Egger test, and the analysis was done using STATA version 17. RESULT: A total of 45 studies with 35639 pregnant women were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of HBV among pregnant women in East Africa was 6.0% (95% CI: 6.0%-7.0%, I2 = 89.7%). The highest prevalence of 8% ((95% CI: 6%, 10%), I2 = 91.08%) was seen in 2021, and the lowest prevalence 5% ((95% CI: 4%, 6%) I2 = 52.52%) was observed in 2022. A pooled meta-analysis showed that history of surgical procedure (OR = 2.14 (95% CI: 1.27, 3.61)), having multiple sexual partners (OR = 3.87 (95% CI: 2.52, 5.95), history of body tattooing (OR = 2.55 (95% CI: 1.62, 4.01)), history of tooth extraction (OR = 2.09 (95% CI: 1.29, 3.39)), abortion history(OR = 2.20(95% CI: 1.38, 3.50)), history of sharing sharp material (OR = 1.88 (95% CI: 1.07, 3.31)), blood transfusion (OR = 2.41 (95% CI: 1.62, 3.57)), family history of HBV (OR = 4.87 (95% CI: 2.95, 8.05)) and history needle injury (OR = 2.62 (95% CI: 1.20, 5.72)) were significant risk factors associated with HBV infection among pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: The pooled prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women in East Africa was an intermediate level and different across countries ranging from 1.5% to 22.2%. The result of this pooled prevalence was an indication of the need for screening, prevention, and control of HBV infection among pregnant women in the region. Therefore, early identification of risk factors, awareness creation on the mode of transmission HBV and implementation of preventive measures are essential in reducing the burden of HBV infection among pregnant women.

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV-1 co-infections in Ethiopia: Implications for disease burden and intervention strategies.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exhibits high prevalence rates within Ethiopia. The genetic diversity of HBV, marked by mixed genotype infections, may hold significant implications for the trajectory of disease and responses to treatment. Ethiopia grapples with a substantial public health challenge posed by co-infections involving HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), particularly among vulnerable populations. METHODS: A comprehensive investigation into HBV, HCV, and HIV-1 co-infection was conducted. A total of 7,789 blood samples were meticulously analyzed, among which 815 exhibited HBV positivity. Among the HBV-positive samples, 630 were subjected to genotyping procedures, resulting in the identification of a prevalent trend of mixed infections characterized by HBV genotypes A/E/F (67.30%). Serological assessments were performed on 492 specimens to ascertain the presence of HCV and HIV-1 co-infections, revealing respective co-infection rates of 13.02% for HBV/HIV, 3.31% for HBV/HCV, and 2.07% for triple infection. RESULTS: The investigation revealed the intricate prevalence of co-infections in Ethiopia, notably underlining the continued transmission of viruses. The prominent occurrence of mixed HBV genotypes A/E/F suggests dynamic viral interactions and ongoing transmission pathways. These findings accentuate the necessity for targeted interventions and enhanced patient care, as co-infections carry significant clinical complexities. CONCLUSIONS: This study furnishes crucial insights into the molecular epidemiology of HBV, HCV, and HIV-1 co-infections in Ethiopia. The acquired knowledge can contribute to the advancement of strategies for clinical management and the formulation of public health interventions aimed at ameliorating the burden of viral infections within the nation.