Adoption of Euvax-B vaccine in Nineveh

Hepatitis B infection is one of the most important health problems around the world. The high mortality rate of the hepatitis B encouraged research that led to the finding of an effective vaccine against it. The aim of the present study was to find out the use of the Euvax-B vaccine in sectors of Nineveh province. According to the results obtained in this study, in the next five years, the vaccination coverage for the second and third doses needs to improve(AU)

La infección por hepatitis B es uno de los más importantes problemas de salud del mundo. La alta tasa de mortalidad de la hepatitis B impulsó las investigaciones que llevaron a encontrar una vacuna eficaz contra la misma. El objetivo del presente estudio fue conocer el uso de la vacuna Euvax-B en sectores de la provincia de Nínive. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos, en los próximos cinco años, se debe incrementar la cobertura de inmunización de la segunda y tercera dosis de la vacuna(AU)

Research advances in immune tolerance in chronic hepatitis B virus infection / 临床肝胆病杂志

Immune tolerance refers to the specific non-response or negative response of T and B lymphocytes to antigens.According to the period of formation,immune tolerance can be classified into central tolerance and peripheral tolerance.Immune tolerance to hepatitis B virus (HBV) after HBV infection is considered a major cause of chronic HBV infection.This article briefly reviews the roles of HBeAg,functional defects of dendritic cells,low response of cytotoxic T lymphocytes,T helper cells and cytokines,variations of HBV genotype and genome,and host gene polymorphisms in the development of immune tolerance in chronic HBV infection,as well as related research advances.

HEPATITIS B IN RONDÔNIA (WESTERN AMAZON REGION, BRAZIL): descriptive analysis and spatial distribution / Hepatite B em Rondônia (região da Amazônia Ocidental, Brasil): análise descritiva e distribuição espacial

Background The Amazon is one of the regions who have the highest rates of infection by the hepatitis B virus in the world. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological data and spatial distribution of hepatitis B cases reported between 2002 and 2012 in the Brazilian State of Rondônia. Methods Social and clinical data of these individuals were studied through the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), including the following variables: gender, age group, vaccination, contact with a known patient with HBV, exposure to risk factors, source of infection, and clinical status. Results There were 7,132 cases reported in Rondônia, with an average incidence rate of 42/100,000 inhabitants per year. The municipalities with the highest incidence rates were Monte Negro (187.6/100,000 inhabitants) and Ariquemes (157.2/100,000 inhabitants). The 20-39 year-old age group had the highest number of cases (n = 3,834), and 69.9% of patients were likely infected via sexual contact. Regarding the clinical disease status, most of the patients (80.7%) were in the chronic phase. Conclusions There was a recent 402% increase in the diagnosis of hepatitis B, which is likely owing to the improvements in the public diagnostic system. This highlights the need for public policies to prevent and control the disease. .

Contexto A Amazônia é uma das regiões que possui as maiores taxas de infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B do mundo. Objetivos Esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar dados epidemiológicos e a distribuição espacial dos casos de hepatite B notificados no Estado de Rondônia no período de 2002 a 2012. Métodos Foram estudados dados clínicos e sociais desses indivíduos através do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN). Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: gênero, faixa etária, vacinação, contato com paciente sabidamente portador do vírus hepatite B, exposição do paciente aos fatores de risco, fonte de infecção e forma clínica. Resultados Foram notificados 7.132 casos, tendo uma incidência de 42/100.000 habitantes por ano. Os municípios que apresentaram as maiores taxas de incidência foram Monte Negro, 187,6/100.000 habitantes e Ariquemes, 157,2/100.000 habitantes. A faixa etária com maior número de casos foi de 20-39 anos (n=3.834), sendo que 69,9% dos pacientes se infectaram provavelmente por via sexual. Em relação à forma clínica da doença, a maioria dos pacientes (80,7%) se encontra na fase crônica. Conclusão Houve um aumento do diagnóstico do vírus da hepatite B da ordem de 402% nos últimos anos, seguramente pela melhora no sistema de diagnóstico da doença, sendo necessário uma maior atenção das políticas públicas de prevenção e controle da doença em função de sua elevada prevalência. .

Theories about evolutionary origins of human hepatitis B virus in primates and humans

Introduction: The human hepatitis B virus causes acute and chronic hepatitis and is considered one of the most serious human health issues by the World Health Organization, causing thousands of deaths per year. There are similar viruses belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family that infect non-human primates and other mammals as well as some birds. The majority of non-human primate virus isolates were phylogenetically close to the human hepatitis B virus, but like the human genotypes, the origins of these viruses remain controversial. However, there is a possibility that human hepatitis B virus originated in primates. Knowing whether these viruses might be common to humans and primates is crucial in order to reduce the risk to humans. Objective: To review the existing knowledge about the evolutionary origins of viruses of the Hepadnaviridae family in primates. Methods: This review was done by reading several articles that provide information about the Hepadnaviridae virus family in non-human primates and humans and the possible origins and evolution of these viruses. Results: The evolutionary origin of viruses of the Hepadnaviridae family in primates has been dated back to several thousand years; however, recent analyses of genomic fossils of avihepadnaviruses integrated into the genomes of several avian species have suggested a much older origin of this genus. Conclusion: Some hypotheses about the evolutionary origins of human hepatitis B virus have been debated since the '90s. One theory suggested a New World origin because of the phylogenetic co-segregation between some New World human hepatitis B virus genotypes F and H and woolly B virus in basal sister-relationship to the Old monkey human hepatitis World non-human primates and human hepatitis B virus variants. Another theory suggests an Old World origin of human hepatitis B virus, and that it would have been spread following prehistoric human migrations over 100,000 years ...

Expression of Hepatitis B Virus X Protein in Hepatocytes Suppresses CD8+ T Cell Activity

BACKGROUND: CD8+ T cells contribute to the clearance of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and an insufficient CD8+ T cell response may be one of the major factors leading to chronic HBV infection. Since the HBx antigen of HBV can up-regulate cellular expression of several immunomodulatory molecules, we hypothesized that HBx expression in hepatocytes might affect CD8+ T cell activity. METHODS: We analyzed the activation and apoptosis of CD8+ T cells co-cultured with primary hepatocytes rendered capable of expressing HBx by recombinant baculovirus infection. RESULTS: Expression of HBx in hepatocytes induced low production of interferon-gamma and apoptosis of CD8+ T cells, with no effect on CD8 T cell proliferation. However, transcriptional levels of H-2K, ICAM-1 and PD-1 ligand did not correlate with HBx expression in hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HBx may inhibit CD8+ T cell response by regulation of interferon-gamma production and apoptosis.