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Livers
Special Issues
Viral Hepatitis: Prevention, Infection, and Treatment
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Viral Hepatitis: Prevention, Infection, and Treatment

A special issue of Livers (ISSN 2673-4389).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (3 June 2024) | Viewed by 6370

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Marcello Persico

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Odontology Suola Meduca Salernitans, Università degli Studi di Salerno, 84084 Baronissi, Italy
Interests: viral hepatitis; NAFLD; cirrhosis; hepatocellular carcinoma; internal medicine
Dr. Pietro Torre

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital “San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona”, University of Salerno, 84131 Salerno, Italy
Interests: viral hepatitis; NAFLD; cirrhosis; hepatocellular carcinoma; liver immunology; internal medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The scenario of viral hepatitis, mainly referring to hepatitis B and C, has changed rapidly in recent years due to prevention interventions and increasingly effective antiviral therapies. Considering these advances, the WHO set the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030. This goal, however, still represents an open challenge because of important issues. These include the high number of undiagnosed people, inadequate prophylaxis and poor access to therapy for disadvantaged populations, and the complexity of assessing progress towards established goals.

In addition, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has hampered the management of people with viral hepatitis. In fact, it was documented that it led to a reduction in testing and initiation of treatments. Several efforts to counter this situation and stay in line with WHO goals have been conducted around the world, such as hepatitis C screening programs leveraging COVID-19 related services.

This Special Issue aims to collect articles on various aspects of viral hepatitis, including epidemiology, prevention, infection, screening strategies, and recent advances in antiviral therapies. In addition, articles analyzing the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on patients with viral hepatitis and proposing how to maintain an adequate rate of identification and treatment despite the reorganization of health services will be considered.

Prof. Dr. Marcello Persico
Dr. Pietro Torre
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Livers is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hepatitis A
  • hepatitis B
  • hepatitis C
  • hepatitis D
  • hepatitis E
  • hepatitis C screening
  • viral hepatitis elimination

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 502 KiB  
Article
Predominance of Genotype 5 Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection in a Portuguese Hepatology Unit
by Mariana Ferreira Cardoso, Henrique Coelho, Joana Carvalho e Branco, Sofia Bragança, Gonçalo Alexandrino, Mariana Nuno Costa, Rita Carvalho, Elizabeth Pádua and Alexandra Martins
Livers 2024, 4(3), 388-397; https://doi.org/10.3390/livers4030028 - 21 Aug 2024
Viewed by 516
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is the most severe form of viral hepatitis. Genotype 1 (HDV-1) is by far the most prevalent in Europe and globally, while HDV-5 predominates in Western Africa. Data about HDV seroprevalence in Portugal are scarce and genotyping studies [...] Read more.
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is the most severe form of viral hepatitis. Genotype 1 (HDV-1) is by far the most prevalent in Europe and globally, while HDV-5 predominates in Western Africa. Data about HDV seroprevalence in Portugal are scarce and genotyping studies have not been performed yet. We aimed to assess the seroprevalence and genotypes of HDV in a large cohort of HBsAg-positive patients followed in our Hepatology Unit between 2012 and 2022. The anti-HDV-positive patients were subjected to a cross-sectional analysis, including blood sample collection for HDV RNA testing and genotype determination. In the cohort of HBsAg-positive patients, 57.5% (480/835) were born in African countries and 665/835 (79.6%) had been screened for anti-HDV antibodies. The HDV seroprevalence obtained was 6.5% (43/665). Twenty-one patients (age 41.2 ± 9.9 years; 57.1% male) were included in further molecular analyses. HDV RNA was positive in 8/21 (38.0%) and classified as HDV-5 in 7 patients (6 from Guinea-Bissau and 1 from Cape Verde) and HDV-1 in 1 patient (from Ukraine). In the largest and most comprehensive study performed in Portugal regarding HDV epidemiology to date, seroprevalence and genotype distribution of HDV (with predominance of HDV-5) were strongly influenced by immigration, notably from African countries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Hepatitis: Prevention, Infection, and Treatment)
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13 pages, 2148 KiB  
Article
The Hepatitis B Virus PreS1/HBsAg Ratio Is a Predictive Marker for the Occurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
by Masanari Kosaka, Hatsue Fujino, Masataka Tsuge, Shinsuke Uchikawa, Atsushi Ono, Eisuke Murakami, Tomokazu Kawaoka, Daiki Miki, C. Nelson Hayes and Shiro Oka
Livers 2024, 4(3), 364-376; https://doi.org/10.3390/livers4030026 - 2 Aug 2024
Viewed by 799
Abstract
The preS1 region of the large hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface protein is a crucial component in HBV infection; however, its impact on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. This study investigated the relationship between serum preS1 levels and hepatocarcinogenesis in [...] Read more.
The preS1 region of the large hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface protein is a crucial component in HBV infection; however, its impact on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. This study investigated the relationship between serum preS1 levels and hepatocarcinogenesis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The preS1 levels were measured in 531 patients with CHB without a history of HCC. Among the patients, 293 HBV carriers who had never received nucleotide/nucleoside analog (NA) therapy had their preS1 levels measured at their first visit (non-NA group), and 238 patients who had received NA therapy had their preS1 levels measured at the start of NA administration (NA group). The two groups had no significant differences in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels; however, the NA group’s preS1/HBsAg ratio was significantly higher. The preS1/HBsAg ratio was significantly different between patients with CHB not meeting the NA treatment criteria and patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis who were eligible for NA treatment. The predictors of HCC development were analyzed, and the preS1/HBsAg ratio was identified in both groups. The preS1/HBsAg ratio could predict hepatocarcinogenesis in patients with CHB with or without NA administration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Hepatitis: Prevention, Infection, and Treatment)
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13 pages, 1211 KiB  
Article
Impact of IL-12B Genetic Variants on Antiviral Treatment Response among Hepatitis B Patients in Pakistan
by Yasmin Badshah, Maria Shabbir, Sameen Zafar, Uzma Mussarat, Aamer Ikram, Sumbal Javed and Hashaam Akhtar
Livers 2023, 3(3), 494-506; https://doi.org/10.3390/livers3030034 - 12 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1380
Abstract
HBV is a continuous major global health concern. Genetic factors of hosts are known to play a role in HBV infection outcomes. This study aimed to reveal the association of IL-12b 3′ UTR variant rs3212227 in HBV patients. Genotyping was performed using ARMS-PCR [...] Read more.
HBV is a continuous major global health concern. Genetic factors of hosts are known to play a role in HBV infection outcomes. This study aimed to reveal the association of IL-12b 3′ UTR variant rs3212227 in HBV patients. Genotyping was performed using ARMS-PCR to detect IL-12b rs3212227 polymorphism. The patients were categorized into groups based on their response to the antiviral therapy. Group I: non-sustained virological response (NSR); Group II: sustained virological responders (SVR); and Group III: HBV-positive fresh cases. ALT levels were measured to evaluate liver function, and viral load was determined to evaluate viral infectivity among the study groups. The variant genotype CC was found to be significantly associated with the non-sustained virological response to the antiviral therapy (with a p-value of 0.0117; OR = 2.914; RR = 1.556). It was also determined that the genotype CC was the most prevalent genotype among both genders in the NSR group. Viral load was found to be 6-fold higher in Group III compared to Group I and Group II. The results suggest that genotype CC is the most prevalent genotype in the NSR groups, and it is associated with a poor response to antiviral therapy in Pakistani patients with HBV infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Hepatitis: Prevention, Infection, and Treatment)
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Review

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10 pages, 238 KiB  
Review
The Epidemiology of Chronic Hepatitis C: Where We Are Now
by Cristina Stasi, Caterina Milli, Fabio Voller and Caterina Silvestri
Livers 2024, 4(2), 172-181; https://doi.org/10.3390/livers4020013 - 30 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2772
Abstract
One of the main objectives of the World Health Organization is the eradication of viral hepatitis by 2030 by identifying subjects before disease progression. In 2019, only 21% of the 58 million people chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) had been diagnosed, [...] Read more.
One of the main objectives of the World Health Organization is the eradication of viral hepatitis by 2030 by identifying subjects before disease progression. In 2019, only 21% of the 58 million people chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) had been diagnosed, while overall 13% had been treated. The key recommendation of international screening programs is to reach the people at major risk of viral hepatitis and the general population. National plans, including that in Italy, have dedicated budget lines to support efforts to achieve the objective of elimination. The Italian program involves free screening for HCV in the general population born between 1969 and 1989 and also for all persons in the care of addiction services (Ser.D) and prisoners. The screening programs differed slightly among regions in Italy. In particular, referring to the screening for people born in the period of 1969–1989, in Tuscany, these people received an invitation by SMS to undergo a HCV antibody test. If the test results were positive, the subject was registered on a regional platform and required to undergo HCV RNA testing, prescribed by their GP. In the case of testing positive for HCV RNA, the linkage to care (i.e., patient entry into specialist care after diagnosis) is guaranteed. A strong effort is currently required to eliminate HCV effectively. This review highlights the most recent changes to the epidemiological scenario at the global, European, Italian, and regional (Tuscany) levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Hepatitis: Prevention, Infection, and Treatment)
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