Patterns of chronic hepatitis B in Central Italy: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

We investigated the patterns of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related disease in a large cohort of HBsAg-positive patients, in Central Italy, by collecting a screening form with demographic, clinical and laboratory data. Overall, 737 HBsAg-positive cases were included (70% male; median age 52 years): 30% were inactive HBsAg carriers, 51% had chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 19% had HBV-related cirrhosis. Patients from non-European Union (EU) countries (n = 65) were significantly younger, had a higher prevalence of HBeAg-positive infection and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) co-infection than patients of Italian origin. Therefore, as immigration from non-EU countries continues to grow, we can expect a change in the landscape of HBV-related disease in our area.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Sequential Pegylated Interferon-α and Telbivudine or Vice Versa for 48 Weeks in Hepatitis B E Antigen-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B

“…In HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B, use of nucleoside/nucleotide analogues as first-line monotherapy is limited by need of indefinite treatment duration and the consequent time-dependent risk of selecting drug-resistant HBV mutations. This issue is particularly relevant in Southern Europe, where >70% of patients are infected by genotype D and 90% are HBeAg-negative [8,9]. In this setting, the search for a treatment strategy combining the advantages of PEG-IFN-a and nucleoside/nucleotide analogues to allow treatment courses of definite duration has been recognized as a major unmet clinical need [15].…”

Serological Pattern of Hepatitis B, C, and HIV Infections Among Immigrants in Sicily: Epidemiological Aspects and Implication on Public Health

“…Prevalences appear disomogeneously represented around the world and the highest rates are found in developing areas [1][2][3][4][5].…”

The diversity of chronic hepatitis B virus infections within blood donors in England and North Wales 2005 through 2010

“…Dual HBV‐HDV infection is linked to disease severity, with cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer more common than in monoinfected HBV patients, but HBV‐HDV coinfection is not typically looked for among asymptomatic HBV infections in the United Kingdom. Recent studies in Europe have shown that, similar to HBV in blood donors, the prevalence of HDV is linked to migration from countries where the virus is endemic …”

“…Recent studies in Europe have shown that, similar to HBV in blood donors, the prevalence of HDV is linked to migration from countries where the virus is endemic. [19][20][21][22] To understand fully the impact of HBV on both the infected blood donors and the testing and surveillance carried out by NHSBT, we undertook this study to generate a complete overview of chronic HBV infections among blood donors in England and North Wales. Here we present the virologic factors associated with those infections identified between July 2005 and June 2010, as well as the relationship between these factors and the demographic profiles of these blood donors.…”