Jaquet, Antoine; Muula, Guy; Ekouevi, Didier K; Wandeler, Gilles (2021). Elimination of Viral Hepatitis in Low and Middle-Income Countries: Epidemiological Research Gaps. Current epidemiology reports, 8(3), pp. 89-96. Springer 10.1007/s40471-021-00273-6
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Purpose of Review
The purpose of our review was to summarize current recommendations on testing strategies, antiviral therapy eligibility and monitoring, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, and to highlight major research gaps in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Recent Findings
While data on the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in LMIC are increasing, current knowledge on liver-related complications as well as on treatment outcomes remains limited. Furthermore, very little information is available on the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of large-scale testing and management strategies in high-prevalence settings. The availability of policy-relevant data is particularly scarce in SSA, which accounts for a significant part of the global burden of chronic viral hepatitis.
Summary
Current recommendations on the management and monitoring of chronic viral hepatitis rely mainly on data from high-income settings. The global elimination of viral hepatitis will only be achieved if prevention, testing, and treatment strategies tailored to specific LMIC are implemented. In order to inform scalable and cost-effective interventions, dedicated research initiatives have to be undertaken. Future studies will have to include the evaluation of innovative testing strategies, the validation of simplified methods to diagnose liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and the monitoring of long-term treatment outcomes and toxicity. In addition, national plans to achieve the elimination of HBV mother-to-child transmission are urgently needed, including effective ways to test pregnant women, treat those who are eligible, and ensure birth dose vaccination is given to all newborns.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
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Division/Institute: |
04 Faculty of Medicine > Pre-clinic Human Medicine > Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) 04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Haematology, Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Medicine and Hospital Pharmacy (DOLS) > Clinic of Infectiology |
UniBE Contributor: |
Wandeler, Gilles |
Subjects: |
300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology > 360 Social problems & social services 600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health |
ISSN: |
2196-2995 |
Publisher: |
Springer |
Funders: |
[4] Swiss National Science Foundation |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Annelies Luginbühl |
Date Deposited: |
23 Sep 2021 12:47 |
Last Modified: |
04 Jan 2023 10:53 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.1007/s40471-021-00273-6 |
PubMed ID: |
34532216 |
Additional Information: |
Open access funding by Universität Bern |
Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Elimination LMIC Research gaps Sub-Saharan Africa Viral hepatitis |
BORIS DOI: |
10.48350/159476 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/159476 |
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