Articles tagged with Hepatitis B
A large study of cancer patients reveals a significant proportion are undiagnosed with acute and chronic hepatitis B and C. The findings suggest that universal screening for these viruses may be warranted to prevent life-threatening complications and improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated acute liver failure results from an uncommon encounter between a highly mutated HBV variant and an unusual immune response in the patient's liver. By analyzing liver samples, they discovered new mechanisms about the disease, providing insights into its development.
The hepatitis B virus is highly stable at room temperature and can withstand temperatures of four degrees centigrade for nine months. Disinfectants are effective against the virus when applied undiluted, but their effectiveness decreases with dilution.
A new study found that genetic variation in Caucasians with chronic hepatitis B infection increases the risk of severe liver damage and inflammation. Researchers identified a link between the STAT4 gene and liver fibrosis, suggesting that genetic factors may play a role in disease progression.
Researchers developed an accurate diagnostic score that uses two simple blood tests to identify patients in need of treatment against the deadly hepatitis B virus. The test was found to be as accurate as existing methods but at a fraction of the cost, making it accessible for sub-Saharan Africa's poorest regions.
The study highlights the significant burden of hepatitis B virus globally, with 292 million individuals living with the virus in 2016. Only 5% of eligible patients received antiviral therapy, and less than 1% of expectant mothers with high viral load received prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
A phase III clinical trial in Thailand tested TDF therapy against standard preventative measures, finding no significant reduction in infant infection rates. The study suggests that adding TDF may have little effect on mother-to-child transmission rates already at low levels.
Recent studies investigate the role of cholesterol and other lipids in blood circulation, discovering a correlation between bad cholesterol levels and muscle damage in muscular dystrophy patients. Another study reveals a synergistic effect of hepatitis B and alcohol on cholesterol metabolism, increasing biosynthesis and impairing uptake.
New virus-cracking molecules can disrupt viral capsid assembly, preventing replication and killing new copies of the virus. This breakthrough could lead to better treatments against multiple viruses, including polio and herpes.
A public health-primary care collaboration tested individuals aged 40-70 in two Dutch hotspots, achieving high test uptake of 51% without detecting active/chronic hepatitis C. The strategy may be effective in areas with high disease rates but not recommended for low prevalence countries.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise physicians to vaccinate all unvaccinated adults against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and screen high-risk persons. This can help reduce chronic HBV infections, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and premature death.
The American College of Physicians and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend screening at-risk adults, increasing hepatitis B vaccination rates, and linking infected persons to care. This can help reduce transmission and complications associated with chronic hepatitis B infection.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute tested a new drug for hepatitis B virus infection, which uses RNA interference to reduce surface antigens. The therapy has shown safety and effectiveness in human trials, offering hope for a potential cure.
New data reveals 52 million children globally affected by viral hepatitis, highlighting the need for treatment and prevention. Despite declining hepatitis B infections among children, cases of hepatitis C are expected to continue growing due to lack of programs for pregnant women living with the virus.
Chronic hepatitis B and C cause life-threatening liver damage, cancer, and premature death, with 300 million infected worldwide. Donors are essential to deliver results in the next 13 years, as domestic funding is unlikely to meet the challenge.
Nine countries are making progress towards eliminating hepatitis C, thanks to innovative approaches and increased funding. Brazil, Egypt, Australia, and Georgia are leading the way with mass screenings, vaccination campaigns, and risk-sharing agreements.
Australia is currently on track to eliminate hepatitis C due to its efforts in enabling population-wide access to treatment. However, maintaining high annual treatment numbers is crucial to meet the 2030 elimination target. For hepatitis B, progress is slower, and a significant commitment is needed to achieve the elimination goals.
A study shows that Alaska's universal hepatitis B vaccination programme has wiped out hepatitis B infection and liver cancer cases in the state's young people. The program, introduced in the 1980s, led to a significant decrease in acute symptomatic HBV infection and liver cancer cases among Alaskan Native children, with no reported cas...
A new meta-analysis reveals that Indigenous Peoples are significantly more likely to contract viral hepatitis due to factors like poverty, injection drug use, and lack of access to healthcare. The study shows disparities in prevalence rates across North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
A recent study found that men with hepatitis B are more than twice as likely to develop severe liver disease as women, even when accounting for lifestyle and environmental factors. Drinking alcohol significantly increases liver disease risk in both men and women, but sex remains the strongest indicator of liver disease severity.
Researchers at the University of York and Leeds have made a major discovery in Hepatitis B Virus assembly, paving the way for new drug treatments. The team identified an 'assembly code' in the genetic material that allows the virus to create a protective casing.
A Taiwanese study found that statin use was linked to a decreased risk of decompensation in cirrhotic patients with HBV- or HCV-related cirrhosis. Statin use showed a favorable outcome and may benefit patients with other causes of cirrhosis as well.
A study of 1350 cirrhotic patients found that statin use reduced the risk of liver decompensation in a dose-dependent manner. Statins may provide benefits to patients with HBV- or HCV-related cirrhosis, improving survival rates.
The WHO's Global Hepatitis Report provides a comprehensive understanding of the disease's impact, revealing 325 million people living with viral hepatitis and 1.34 million annual deaths. To reverse this trend, scaling up birth dose vaccination against hepatitis B and improving access to affordable treatment are key actions needed.
A new form of pegylated interferon, TRK-560, has been shown to reduce hepatitis B virus infections more effectively than conventional agents. The novel compound's attachment of PEG reduces neutralizing antibodies and prevents protein cutting enzymes from cleaving it.
A recent study published in Neurology found that people with hepatitis B are 76% more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those without the virus. Those with hepatitis C have a 51% increased risk. The research linked both viruses to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, contradicting previous findings on hepatitis B.
Despite progress in implementing primary and secondary prevention measures, Europe still has a long way to go to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. The authors highlight the need for improved data collection and monitoring of interventions along the continuum of care to track progress and reduce mortality.
Researchers found that tree shrews have a natural immunity to HBV, with cytokine interferon-gamma playing a key role in the activation of hepatic natural killer cells. The study also revealed the importance of extracellular vesicles in regulating innate immune responses to HBV infection.
A new study by Thomas Jefferson University shows that community outreach workers may help increase hepatitis B vaccine uptake among Asian Americans, reducing the risk of liver cancer. The program involved lay health workers who provided personalized calls to encourage vaccinations.
A new study from Imperial College London and the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia found that a 'screen-and-treat' programme for hepatitis B can reduce deadly complications of the virus. The initiative is cost-effective and feasible in Sub-Saharan Africa, where around 80 million people are infected.
A new study reveals high levels of hepatitis B markers among unvaccinated refugee populations in northern Germany, highlighting a significant public health concern. The research found that nearly one million asylum applications were lodged in Germany last year, with many coming from unstable states where health systems have broken down.
A Phase 1 study found that NVR 3-778, a first-in-class HBV capsid assembly inhibitor, is well-tolerated when combined with pegylated interferon. The treatment reduced levels of hepatitis B more than NVR 3-778 alone, with the largest reduction seen in the combination group.
Studies demonstrate that tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is as effective and safer than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in treating chronic Hepatitis B, with fewer negative changes in bone and kidney parameters. TAF improves patient safety while sustaining efficacy in patients with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection.
A new study demonstrates that antiviral therapy for immune tolerant Hepatitis B patients prolongs overall survival and reduces the risk of developing liver cancer (HCC) and scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). Nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment significantly lowers HCC and cirrhosis risks.
A new study found a potential link between long-term oral nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment for hepatitis B and an increased risk of colorectal and cervical cancer. Regular screening is recommended to prevent these cancers in patients receiving such treatment. The study analyzed data from 45,299 patients with chronic HBV infection.
A new study published in Nature Communications has identified predictors and response mechanisms to the hepatitis B vaccine. Researchers found that elevated levels of inflammatory response transcripts correlate with weaker responses, while augmented B-cell responses are linked to stronger reactions.
Researchers found a prophylaxis treatment can prevent new-onset hepatitis B in children who receive livers from donors previously infected with HBV. The regimen consisted of HBV vaccine injections and immunoglobulin, maintaining high antibody levels against the virus.
SLU scientist John Tavis has received a $2.2 million NIH grant to develop a cure for the hepatitis B virus. His team aims to create a combination therapy that can kill the virus, which causes chronic infection and liver damage in millions of people worldwide.
Researchers at Hiroshima University developed a new animal model of hepatitis B using humanized mice and found that CTLA4Ig suppressed damage to liver cells infected with the virus. This model is useful for studying immunological reactions and viral clearance in hepatitis B virus infection.
A global study found that chronic hepatitis B virus infection affects approximately 248 million people worldwide, with a disproportionately high burden in some countries. The prevalence of the disease varies significantly between countries, with up to 20% of the population infected in certain regions.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is currently required in only two US states, with vaccination coverage substantially below the Healthy People 2020 target. A recent study found that HPV vaccination rates are lower than those for other adolescent vaccines, such as hepatitis B and meningococcal conjugate vaccines.
A study found that people with rheumatoid arthritis are less protected by the hepatitis B vaccine, highlighting increased risk of infection despite vaccination. The vaccine's efficacy was lower in RA patients compared to those without the condition.
Researchers at University College London have found that hepatitis B virus can persist in the liver by exploiting starved T cells. The study suggests that boosting the immune system and counteracting the liver's suppressive effect could potentially clear the infection.
A comprehensive review highlights the need for better evidence on hepatitis B and C testing in European countries. The study found gaps in knowledge, particularly for high-risk populations such as migrants and men who have sex with men.
TG1050 has been shown to reach the clinical goals considered a cure for CHB, including elimination of HBsAg and seroconversion. The study achieved these goals in 30% of TG1050-injected mice, supporting the move to a first-in-man study.
A recent study by the University of Liverpool suggests that the hepatitis B drug entecavir can be mass-produced for £24 ($36) per person per year, making it more accessible to developing countries. This could lead to significant reductions in liver cancer and cirrhosis cases, as well as lower death rates from Hepatitis B.
Researchers have developed a combination treatment using an antiviral and anti-cancer drug that has proven 100% successful in eliminating hepatitis B virus infections in preclinical models. The treatment targets the cell signalling pathways used by the virus, causing infected cells to die.
Research suggests that immuosuppressives and anti-cancer drugs can reanimate hepatitis B in previously infected individuals, according to a study published in Hepatology. The study authors emphasize the importance of routine screening for HBV before starting treatment with immunosuppressives or anti-cancer drugs.
The Life Sciences Discovery Fund has awarded $1.2 million in Proof of Concept grants to five Washington-based organizations, focusing on new therapies for cancer, diabetic macular edema, hepatitis B, and severe epilepsy. Additionally, the fund has announced two commercialization-focused awards totaling $600,000.
A study found that entecavir significantly reduced the incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatitis and HBV reactivation among patients receiving rituximab-based chemotherapy. The rates were lower in the entecavir group compared to the lamivudine group, with significant reductions in HBV-related complications.
Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have developed a potential cure for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The new treatment, birinapant, triggers the breakdown of proteins that prevent infected cells from self-destructing, allowing infected cells to die.
Dr Marc Pellegrini has been awarded a $1.225 million fellowship to focus on progressing his research into chronic infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and tuberculosis. The grant will enable him to explore how microbes evade the immune system and apply these discoveries to eradicate these diseases.
A new therapy to eradicate liver cells infected with hepatitis B virus has shown promising results in pre-clinical research. The treatment aims to clear patients of the disease, offering hope for those with chronic HBV infection. Dr Greg Ebert's work could lead to significant improvements in health outcomes for Australians and worldwide.
Two studies published in Gastroenterology found that antiviral therapy can reduce the risk of liver cancer in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Younger patients with minimal liver damage and those treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues showed a significant reduction in liver cancer risk.
The USPSTF recommends screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) in nonpregnant high-risk adolescents and adults, as well as postnatal immunoprophylaxis to prevent maternal transmission. Studies have shown that these interventions can reduce mortality and hospital readmissions related to heart failure.
Deaths from viral hepatitis have surpassed HIV/AIDS as a preventable cause of death in Australia, with an estimated 1,500 liver cancer deaths per year. Chronic viral hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer if left untreated, but access to effective care and treatment can reduce these risks.
Studies show sequential combination therapy with peginterferon and nucleoside analogues results in high complete response and HBsAg loss rates. Baseline HBsAg level and rate of decline during treatment predict treatment response. Adding peginterferon to entecavir enhances response rates, viral decline, and facilitates discontinuation.
Researchers are searching for a hepatitis B cure drug using a new assay and partnering with robots to screen thousands of potential candidates. The goal is to find a treatment that can halt the illness, as current drugs only treat it.
Scientists have discovered a way to selectively degrade viral DNA in the cell nucleus of infected liver cells, opening up new treatment options for hepatitis B. This breakthrough may allow for the development of a treatment that can heal hepatitis B without damaging the host cell.
A randomized trial found that home-based health education increased HBV screening rates and knowledge about the disease among Hmong Americans, overcoming cultural and language barriers. The study suggests using lay health workers to improve access to screenings and diagnoses.