Epidemiology of HCV and HBV in a High Endemic Area of Southern Italy: Opportunities from the COVID-19 Pandemic—Standardized National Screening or One Tailored to Local Epidemiology?

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the hospitalization of an unselected population with the possibility to evaluate the epidemiology of viral hepatitis. Thus, a retrospective multicenter study was conducted in an area of Southern Italy with the aim of assessing the prevalence of HCV and HBV markers and the ability of current screening program to capture cases. We evaluated 2126 hospitalized patients in seven COVID Centers of Naples and Caserta area in which 70% of the Campania population lives. HBsAg and HCV-Ab prevalence was 1.6% and 5.1%, respectively, with no differences between gender. Decade distribution for birth year shows a bimodal trend of HCV prevalence, with a peak (11.6%) in the decade 1930–1939 and a second peak (5.6%) for those born in 1960–1969. An analysis of the screening period imposed by the Italian government for those born between 1969 and 1989 shows that only 17% of cases of HCV infection could be captured. A small alignment of the screening period, i.e., those born from 1960 to 1984, would capture 40% of cases. The data confirm the high endemicity of our geographical area for hepatitis virus infections and underline the need for a tailored screening program according to the regional epidemiology.

Gender Differences in the Pathogenesis and Risk Factors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Viral hepatitis resulting from chronic infection with HCV, HBV, and hepatitis D virus (HDV) are among the main determinants of liver cirrhosis and HCC [48]. If all major hepatotropic virus infections are able to induce HCC through mechanisms of liver damage and regeneration leading to cirrhosis, HBV shows a further intrinsic oncogenic potential linked to the peculiar interactions between virus and host [49].…”

HBV Infection and Host Interactions: The Role in Viral Persistence and Oncogenesis

“…Despite the availability of vaccines and effective therapies in suppressing the viral load and preventing its transmission, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a serious world healthcare issue, affecting more than 292 million people worldwide, with an estimated global prevalence of about 4% [1], with different distribution and prevalence in relation to the geographical area, the diffusion of vaccination, and the risk factors [1][2][3]. Chronic HBV infection is one of the major causes of chronic hepatitis, which may lead to cirrhosis and decompensated liver disease [4].…”

Can Telemedicine Optimize the HCV Care Cascade in People Who Use Drugs? Features of an Innovative Decentralization Model and Comparison with Other Micro-Elimination Strategies

“…To date, the identification of HCV cases seems to be the limiting factor towards the objectives suggested by the WHO. For this reason, screening of population groups at high risk of HCV infection is essential [ 5 ]. On this matter, people who use drugs (PWUDs) represent a priority population due to the high prevalence of HCV infection, high transmissibility, and treatment challenges.…”