Adenovirus Hepatitis in Immunocompetent Adults.

A 35-year-old female with no medical history presented with fever. Laboratory work was normal except for elevated liver function test (LFT): alkaline phosphatase (AP) (296), aspartate transaminase (AST) (343), alanine transaminase (ALT) (378), and international normalized ratio (INR) (1.23). Ultrasound liver was normal. Infectious workup was negative for hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Herpes simplex virus (HSV), and COVID-19. Similarly, autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson, and alpha-1 antitrypsin workup were negative. She reported taking Yogi-Kanthika (ayurvedic-proprietary medicine) on/off for seasonal sore throat, yet RUCAM-score was 2 (unlikely a drug induced injury). Respiratory-viral-panel came positive for adenovirus. With supportive treatment, symptoms and LFT trended down, thus, liver biopsy decision was deferred. We believe this is the first reported case of adenovirus hepatitis in an immunocompetent adult. Hence, we suggest that clinicians should consider a refined differential diagnosis for elevated LFT (that includes adenovirus).

Viral hepatitis in 2021: The challenges remaining and how we should tackle them.

Viral hepatitis results in 1.4 million deaths annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) set an ambitious target to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030, but significant challenges remain. These include inequalities in access to healthcare, reaching at risk populations and providing access to screening and effective treatment. Stigma around viral hepatitis persists and must be addressed. The WHO goal of global elimination by 2030 is a worthy aim, but remains ambitious and the coronavirus 2019 pandemic undoubtedly has set back progress. This review article will focus on hepatitis A to E, highlighting problems that have been resolved in the field over the past decade, those that remain to be resolved and suggest directions for future problem solving and research.

Progress and challenges in the comprehensive management of chronic viral hepatitis: Key ways to achieve the elimination.

Chronic viral hepatitis is a significant health problem throughout the world, which already represents high annual mortality. By 2040, chronic viral hepatitis due to virus B and virus C and their complications cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma will be more deadly than malaria, vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone, and tuberculosis altogether. In this review, we analyze the global impact of chronic viral hepatitis with a focus on the most vulnerable groups, the goals set by the World Health Organization for the year 2030, and the key points to achieve them, such as timely access to antiviral treatment of direct-acting antiviral, which represents the key to achieving hepatitis C virus elimination. Likewise, we review the strategies to prevent transmission and achieve control of hepatitis B virus. Finally, we address the impact that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has had on implementing elimination strategies and the advantages of implementing telemedicine programs.

Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Viral Hepatitis Elimination: What Is the Price?

In 2016, the World Health Organization developed a plan for viral hepatitis elimination by 2030. Globally, control of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the most challenging aspects of viral hepatitis elimination. In many developed countries elimination of HBV could be targeted to special populations mostly immigrants from low resource settings. Elimination of HCV, however, remains a challenge globally. Barriers to HCV elimination include high cost of medications and the ability to engage specific at-risk populations as well as individuals who are out of medical care. In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, treatment access and screening have been further negatively impacted by social distancing rules and COVID-19-related anxieties. This threatens to throw most countries off course in their elimination efforts. Before the pandemic, some states in the United States had scaled up their elimination efforts with plans to ramp up testing and treatment using Netflix-like payment models for HCV direct acting antiviral drugs. Most of these efforts have stalled on account of the health system's focus on COVID-19 control. To prevent further delays in achieving elimination targets, programs would need to explore new models of care that address COVID-19-related access hurdles. Systems that leverage technologies such as telemedicine and self-testing could help maintain treatment levels. Mathematical models estimate that COVID-19-related delays in 2020 could lead to 44,800 hepatocellular cancers and 72,300 liver-related deaths for the next decade.

Presentation of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 Infection as Cholestatic Jaundice in Two Healthy Adolescents.

Liver abnormalities in severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 infection, including hepatitis and cholestasis, have been observed in adults and are associated with worse outcomes. We describe 2 adolescents with cholestasis and hepatitis with mild presentation of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 lacking typical symptoms. Our intention is to raise index of suspicion for testing and protective equipment use.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on testing services for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections in the WHO European Region, March to August 2020.

We present preliminary results of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) impact assessment on testing for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections in the WHO European Region. We analyse 98 responses from secondary care (n = 36), community testing sites (n = 52) and national level (n = 10). Compared to pre-COVID-19, 95% of respondents report decreased testing volumes during March-May and 58% during June-August 2020. Reasons for decreases and mitigation measures were analysed.