RECENT ADVANCES IN DAIGNOSIS
AND MANAGEMENT OF HEPATITIS B
AND CHRONIC HEPATITIS C
CHAIR PERSON – Dr. KALINGA B E
STUDENT – Dr. ARATHY S
HEPATITIS B
oHepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus
(HBV).
oIt is a major public health problem, causing chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis
of liver and hepatocellular carcinoma.
oHuman carcinogen—cause of up to 80% of hepatocellular
carcinomas.
HISTORY…
HBV GENOTYPES
HBsAg
• Appears in the blood about 6 weeks after infection and has usually
disappeared by 3 months after the clinical illness.
• Persistence for more than 6 months implies the development of a
carrier state or progression to chronicity
• A diagnosis of HBV infection can usually be made by detection of
HBsAg in serum
• An inverse correlation exists between the serum concentration of
HBsAg and the degree of liver cell damage.
• These suggest that, in hepatitis B, the degree of liver cell damage and
the clinical course are related to variations in the patient’s immune
response to HBV rather than to the amount of circulating HBsAg
HBcAg and HBeAg
• HBeAg has a signal peptide that binds it to the smooth endoplasmic
reticulum, the secretory apparatus of cell, leading to its secretion into
circulation.
• This secreted nucleocapsid protein is thus a reliable qualitative
marker of HBV replication and infectivity
• HBcAg, devoid of signal peptide is not secreted and incorporated into
nucleocapsid.
HBxAg
• Capable of transactivating the transcription of both viral and cellular
genes
• clinical association observed between the expression of HBxAg and
antibodies to it in patients with severe chronic hepatitis and
hepatocellular carcinoma
• The transactivating activity can enhance the transcription and
replication of other viruses besides HBV such as HIV.
ACUTE INFECTION
CHRONIC INFECTION
PHASES OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS B
Phase Liver histology
Immune Tolerant Minimal inflammation and fibrosis
Immune Clearance Moderate to severe inflammation or
fibrosis
Inactive Disease Minimal necroinflammation but variable
fibrosis
HBeAg-negative Chronic HBV Moderate to severe inflammation or
fibrosis
Evaluation of HBsAg +ve patients
• HISTORY
Symptoms and signs of liver disease
alcohol and metabolic risk factors
Family history of HCC
vaccination status
• Laboratory tests
complete blood count
s.bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP
s.albumin, INR
AFP, GGT
SEROLOGY/ VIROLOGY
• HBsAg quantitative assay - The quantitative
electrochemiluminescence immunoassay determines the HBsAg
levels expressed in IU/mL
• widely used to monitor chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) patients response to
antiviral Therapy.
Antibodies to HBc
• In patients with hepatitis B surface antigenemia of unknown duration
testing for IgM anti-HBc may be useful to distinguish between acute
or recent infection (IgM anti-HBc-positive) and chronic HBV infection
• Specificity = 99.8% to 99.9%
HBeAg
• HBeAg correlates with ongoing viral synthesis and with infectivity
• Persistence for more than 10 weeks strongly suggests the
development of chronicity
Anti HBe
• Prognostic for resolution of infection
• The appearance of Anti-Hbe is strong evidence that the patient will
recover completely.
Anti HBs
• After immunization with hepatitis B vaccine, which consists of HBsAg
alone, anti-HBs is the only serologic marker to appear
• Anti-HBs >12mIu – Protective
Molecular Advances in Diagnosis of HBV
Infection
• Current HBV DNA assays make use of differing technologies and can
generally divided into i) signal amplification assays
ii) DNA amplification tests based on PCR
• HBV DNA detection based on PCR approach can detect as few as 10 2
– 10 3 Genome copies
HBV DNA
• the most sensitive index of viral replication.
• It is a good marker of the level of viraemia, can be correlated with
serum transaminase levels
NEEDLE LIVER BIOPSY
• ascertain the degree of necroinflammation and fibrosis
• help guide the decision to treat.
• the amount of replicating virus in the serum does not correlate with
the degree of histological activity
Non-Invasive Tests (NITs)
• APRI
• FIB-4
• transient elastography (FibroScan)
APRI
• In a meta-analysis of 40 studies, investigators concluded that an APRI
score greater than 1.0 had a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 72%
for predicting cirrhosis
FIB-4
FIB-4 score <1.45 had a negative predictive value of 90% for
advanced fibrosis.
FIB-4 >3.25 would have a 97% specificity and a positive
predictive value of 65% for advanced fibrosis.
these individuals could potentially have avoided liver biopsy.
Fibroscan
• measure liver stiffness
• based on ultrasound technology.
• Transient elastography performed with FibroScan has been the most widely
evaluated.
• >90% accuracy for early Fibrosis and Cirrhosis.
• Cost in India – Rs.4000 to 5000/- per scan.
Screening for HCC
oPatients who are HBsAg positive with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis,
especially if male and more than 45 years old, should be screened
regularly so that hepato-cellular carcinoma may be diagnosed early
when surgical resection may prove possible.
oSerum α-fetoprotein should be measured and ultrasound
examination performed at 6-monthly intervals.
• HBsAg seroclearance did not reduce therisk of HCC in patients with
Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis B patients who have indications for surveillance pre
seroclearance should continue getting surveillance post
seroclearance.
P pP Gounder, Bulkow, Snowball et al; Nested case control study:
Hepatocellular carcinoma risk after Hepatitis B surface antigen
seroclerance
TREATMENT
ACUTE HEPATITIS B
• Supportive management
• Recovery in 99% cases
• Severe acute Hepatitis B – antiviral therapy with nucleoside analogue
duration – until 3 months after HBsAg seroconversion or
6months after HBeAg seroconversion
CHRONIC HEPATITIS B
• Interferons
• Nucleotide analogues
• Nucleoside analogues
INTERFERONS
• Interferon alpha was the first approved therapy for chronic Hepatitis
B.
Mechanisms – immunostimulatory
intrinsic antiviral activity
• Dosage – 5million units daily or
10million units thrice a week
Contraindications - psychiatric disease
neutropenia or thrombocytopenia
coronary artery disease
cardiac arrhythmia
decompensated cirrhosis
renal transplantation.
• Complications – flu like symptoms
marrow suppression
emotional lability
autoimmune reactions
alopecia, rashes, diarrhoea
numbness and tingling
PEGYLATED INTERFERONS
• Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is added to make interferon last longer in
the body
• Ease of administration
• Higher efficacy
• Better sustained response rate
NUCLEOSIDE/NUCLEOTIDE ANALOGUES
INHIBIT VIRAL DNA POLYMERASE ENZYME
LAMIVUDINE
• Clinical and laboratory side effects of lamivudine are negligible
• Emergence of resistance
• Long-term monotherapy with lamivudine is associated with
methionine to valine(M204V) or methionine-to-isoleucine
(M2041)mutations, primarily at amino acid 204 in the tyrosine-
methionine aspartate-aspartate (YMDD) motif of HBV DNA
polymerase
• lamivudine is no longer recommended as first-line therapy
• The drug is still used widely as first-line therapy in developing
countries
ADEFOVIR DIPIVOXIL
• effective against both wild-type and lamivudine-resistant HBV.
• primary treatment failure (<1 log decline in the serum HBV DNA level
at week 12) was observed in 30% of patients
• Adverse effect – nephrotoxicity
• Dose – 10mg/day
• No longer recommended as a first line therapy
• Used widely as primary therapy or in combination with lamivudine in
resistant cases.
TENOFOVIR
• More potent agent
• Dosage – 300mg/day
• Active against wild type HBV
lamivudine resistant HBV
slow or limited response to adefovir
• The 5-year safety and resistance profile are very favourable
• Replaced adefovir both as first line therapy for chronic Hepatitis B and
add on therapy for lamivudine resistant cases.
• Tenofovir monotherapy was as effective as tenofovir emtricitabine
combination and well tolerated in Lamivudine resistans chronic
hepatitis B patients for upto 240 weeks
Fung s, Kwan P, Fabri M et al; TDF versus TDF/FTC in Lamivudine
resistant Hepatitis B : a 5yr randomised study. J.Hepatology 2016
Aug18.
ENTECAVIR
• The most potent of the HBV antivirals
• High potency and high barrier to resistance renders it a first line drug
for patients with chronic Hepatits B
• Resistance to entecavir in lamivudine resistant chronic hepatitis B has
been recorded to increase progressively to 43% at 4 years.
• Entecavir is not as attractive a choice as adefovir or tenofovir for
patients with lamivudine resistant hepatitis B
EFFICACY OF ANTIVIRALS IN CHRONIC
HEPATITIS B
GUIDELINES
1. AASLD: American Association of Study of Liver Diseases
2. EASL: European Association for the Study of Liver
3. WHO: World Health Organization
TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
• All adults, adolescents and children with CHB and clinical evidence of
compensated or decompensated cirrhosis should be treated,
regardless of ALT levels, HBeAg status or HBV DNA levels
• Treatment is recommended for adults with CHB who do not have
clinical evidence of cirrhosis but are aged more than 30 years have
persistently abnormal ALT levels with evidence of high-level HBV
replication (HBV DNA >20 000 IU/mL), regardless of HBeAg status
• Antiviral therapy is not recommended and can be deferred in persons
without clinical evidence of cirrhosis and with persistently normal ALT
levels and low levels of HBV replication (HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL),
regardless of HBeAg status or age
Continued monitoring is necessary
• persons without cirrhosis aged 30 years or less, with HBV DNA levels
>20 000 IU/ mL but persistently normal ALT
• HBeAg-negative persons without cirrhosis aged 30 years or less, with
HBV DNA levels that fluctuate between 2000 and 20 000 IU/mL, or
who have intermittently abnormal ALT levels
TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS B IN INDIA
• Guidelines recommend selection of drugs with high potency and low
risk of resistance
• Most guidelines advocate initial treatment with ETV, TDF or peg-IFN
• There is insufficient safety and efficacy data on antiviral agents in
India
• ETV has been associated with significantly higher rates of serological,
viral and biochemical improvement with no resistance
• ADV was found to be less potent though the frequency of resistance
mutations was low
• TDF and LdT were reported to reverse decompensation and improve
hepatic functional status with significant reduction in HBV DNA levels
• Though all approved agents are available in India, treatment with
guideline recommended first-line agents is a challenge, the major
hurdle being unaffordability due to high cost of therapy
DRUG COSTS [10 TABLETS]
ENTACAVIR 0.5mg 750 – 1500
ENTACAVIR 1mg 1500-3500
TENOFOVIR 400
LAMIVUDINE 80
ADEFOVIR 245
• ETV, LdT and TDF can be recommended in compliant patients who
can afford good treatment
• LAM/ADV combination may be advised for non-affording patients
with well compensated cirrhosis while LAM alone may be advised in
those with grade II fibrosis.
When to stop treatment?
• Lifelong NA therapy : All persons with clinical evidence of Cirrhosis.
• Discontinuation and careful long term follow up in :
oPersons without clinical evidence of cirrhosis
oEvidence of HBeAg loss and seroconversion to anti-HBe after
completion of atleast 1 year of treatment.
oIn association with persistently normal ALT levels and persistently
undetectable HBV DNA levels
LIVER TRANSPLANTATION
• Liver transplantation is currently a successful therapy for end-stage
chronic HBV-associated liver disease.
• The use of high dose HBIG ( Hepatitis B immunoglobulin ) peri-
operatively and post-operatively, combined with treatment of heptitis
B with entecavir or tenofovir are favored to prevent recurrent HBV
infection post-transplantation.
Special Groups : HBV-HIV coinfection
• treating for both HBV and HIV is recommended.
• Lamivudine, Emtricitabine and Tenofovir are all nucleoside analogs
with activity against both HIV and HBV
• Rate of HBV resistance to Lamivudine in HBV-HIV coinfection is almost
90% at 4 years, hence lamivudine should never be used as
monotherapy
• Entecavir has low-level activity against HIV and can result in selection
of HIV resistance
• Tenofovir and the combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine in one
pill are approved therapies for HIV and represent excellent choices for
treating HBV infection in HBV-HIV co-infected patients
PREGNANCY
• Tenofovir is effective in reducing mother to child transmission
Calvin Q Pan, Erhei Dai et al; Tenofovir to prevent Hepatitis B
transmission in mothers with high viral load, N Engl J Med 2016 June
16,; 2324-2334
CHB on Cytotoxic Chemotherapy
• Preemptive treatment with anti-virals for 6 months for inactive
Hepatitis B carriers prior to the initiation of chemotherapy has been
shown to reduce the risk of such reactivation.
PREVENTION & IMMUNOPROPHYLAXIS
• Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) :
effective for passive immunization if given prophylactically or within
hours of infection.
It is indicated for sexual contacts of acute sufferers, babies born to
HBsAg-positive mothers and victims of parenteral exposure (needle
stick) to HBsAg-positive blood.
oIn healthy individuals the recombinant vaccine is given in a dose of
20μg (2 ml) intramuscularly, repeated at 1 month with a booster at 6
months.
oFor patients undergoing haemodialysis and for other
immunosuppressed patients, higher vaccine dosages (40μg) or an
increased number of doses are recommended(4 doses).
POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS
• 0.06ml/Kg HBIG plus first dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine and continue
vaccine course.
HEPATITIS C
• Family – Flaviviridae
• Genus – Hepacivirus
• A small ( 50 nm ) virus ss RNA virus
• RNA sequence analysis into at least six major genotypes (Clades)
• There are 100 subtypes.
• HCV circulates in various forms in the serum of an infected host,
including
(1) virions that are bound to very-low-density and low-density
lipoproteins and appear to represent the infectious fraction,
(2) virions bound to immunoglobulins
(3) free virions.
• Chronic hepatitis develops in 50% to 90% of persons with acute HCV
infection.
• In the minority of patients in whom acute HCV resolves, an early and
multispecific T-cell response occurs.
• This response can be detected up to 20 years after resolution of
infection and may contribute to protection in case of subsequent
exposures to HCV.
ACUTE HEPATITIS C
• Acute hepatitis C is rarely seen in clinical practice
• nearly all cases are asymptomatic
• Even in symptomatic patients, however, most of the clinical symptoms
are nonspecific
• fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, mild fever, itching,
myalgia, Jaundice
• The rate of viral persistence after acute infection ranges from 45% to
more than 90%.
Age and gender
source of infection and size of inoculum
immune status of the host
patient’s race
• the rate of spontaneous clearance is higher in symptomatic patients
in whom jaundice develops during acute infection than in those who
remain asymptomatic
CHRONIC HEPATITIS C
• Chronic HCV infection has a variable course; in some patients disease
progression to cirrhosis is slow, while in others, progression is more
rapid
INVESTIGATIONS
Indirect Assays
• EIAs detect antibodies against different HCV antigens
• The third-generation EIAs detect antibodies against HCV core, NS3,
NS4, and NS5 antigens as early as 7 to 8 weeks after infection, with
sensitivity and specificity rates of 99%
• The presence of anti-HCV in high titer in serum (enzyme
immunoassay [EIA] ratio> 9) indicates exposure to the virus
• does not differentiate among acute, chronic, and resolved infection.
• Serologic assays are used initially for diagnosis.
Direct Assays
• Virologic assays are required for confirming infection, monitoring
response to treatment, and evaluating immunocompromised
patients.
• Quantitative assays
Real time PCR
Transcription meadiated amplification
• The advantages of these very sensitive tests include positivity within 1
to 3 weeks after acute infection and detection of low-level residual
infection during antiviral therapy
• Disadvantage – lack of comparability among different assays
• HCV core antigen assay - cheaper and faster alternative
Fully automated immunoassays
HCV GENOTYPING
• The most accurate method is PCR methodology and direct sequencing
of the NS5B or E1 region
• Reverse hybridization to genotype-specific probes
• restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis
• PCR amplification of the 5′ noncoding region of the HCV genome.
ASSESSMENT OF FIBROSIS
EASL Recommendations
• Anti-HCV antibodies are the first-line diagnostic test for HCV infection
• In the case of suspected acute hepatitis C or in immunocompromised
patients, HCV RNA testing should be part of the initial evaluation
• If anti-HCV antibodies are detected, HCV RNA should be determined
by a sensitive molecular method
• Anti-HCV-positive, HCV RNA negative individuals should be retested
for HCV RNA three months later to confirm true convalescence
TREATMENT
DRUGS
• INTERFERONS
• PEGYLATED INTERFERONS
• DIRECTLY ACTING ANTIVIRAL AGENTS
Ribavirin
• Guanosine analogue
• Side effect – RBC breakdown
birth defect in babies
Taribavirin [viramidine or ribamidine] - ribavirin derivative
less erythrocyte-trapping and better liver-targeting than
ribavirin.
phase III human trials
Directly acting agents
EASL Recommendations
• The goal of therapy is to cure HCV infection to prevent hepatic
cirrhosis, decompensation of cirrhosis, HCC, severe extra-hepatic
manifestations and death
• The endpoint of therapy is undetectable HCV RNA in a sensitive assay
(≤15 IU/ml) 12 weeks (SVR12) and 24 weeks (SVR24) after the end of
treatment
• In patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, HCV eradication
reduces the rate of decompensation and will reduce, albeit not
abolish, the risk of HCC. In these patients surveillance for HCC should
be continued
• In patients with decompensated cirrhosis, HCV eradication reduces
the need for liver transplantation. Whether HCV eradication impacts
mid- to long-term survival in these patients is unknown
• Treatment is indicated
All treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients with
compensated and decompensated liver disease
Treatment should be prioritized
• Patients with significant fibrosis (F3) or cirrhosis (F4), including
decompensated cirrhosis
• Patients with HIV coinfection
• Patients with HBV coinfection
• Patients with an indication for liver transplantation
• Patients with HCV recurrence after liver transplantation
• Patients with clinically significant extra-hepatic manifestations
• Patients with debilitating fatigue
• Individuals at risk of transmitting HCV (active injection drug users,
men who have sex with men with high-risk sexual practices, women
of child-bearing age who wish to get pregnant, haemodialysis
patients, incarcerated individuals)
Treatment can be deferred
Patients with no or mild disease (F0-F1) and none of
the above-mentioned extrahepatic manifestations
Treatment is not recommended
Patients with limited life expectancy due to non-liver
related comorbidities
HCV genotype 1
• a combination of weekly PegIFN-α, daily weightbased ribavirin (1000
or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily
sofosbuvir (400 mg) 12 weeks
• combination of weekly PegIFN-α, daily weightbased ribavirin (1000 or
1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily
simeprevir (150 mg) for 12 weeks to be followed bg PegIFN and
ribavirin for 12weeks
IFN free regimens
• Sofosbuvir (400 mg) and ledipasvir (90 mg)
• sofosbuvir (400 mg) and simeprevir (150 mg)
• sofosbuvir (400 mg) and daclatasvir (60 mg)
• Duration - 12 weeks
• Patients with cirrhosis - with daily weight-based ribavirin
• If ribavirin contraindicated - combination for 24 weeks
• the fixed-dose combination of ombitasvir (12.5 mg), paritaprevir (75
mg) and ritonavir (50 mg) in one single tablet (two tablets once daily
with food), and dasabuvir (250 mg) (one tablet twice daily)
• 1a with cirrhosis – 24weeks with ribavirin
• 1a without cirrhosis – 12weeks with ribavirin
• 1b without cirrhosis – 12weeks without ribavirin
• 1b with cirrhosis – 12weeks with ribavirin
HCV genotype 2
• daily weight-based ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or
≥75 kg, respectively), and daily sofosbuvir (400 mg) for 12 weeks
• Cirrhosis or treatment experienced – 16-20 weeks
Cirrhotic and/or treatment-experienced
patients
• weekly PegIFN-α, daily weight-based ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in
patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily sofosbuvir (400 mg)
12 weeks
• an IFN-free combination of daily sofosbuvir (400 mg) and daily
daclatasvir (60 mg) for 12 weeks
HCV genotype 3
• weekly PegIFN-α, weightbased ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in patients
<75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and sofosbuvir (400 mg) daily 12
Weeks
• weight-based ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg,
respectively) sofosbuvir (400 mg) daily for 24 weeks
• sofosbuvir (400 mg) and daclatasvir (60 mg) daily for 12weeks
HCV genotype 4
• a combination of weekly PegIFN-α, daily weightbased ribavirin (1000
or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily
sofosbuvir (400 mg) 12 weeks
• combination of weekly PegIFN-α, daily weightbased ribavirin (1000 or
1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily
simeprevir (150 mg) for 12 weeks to be followed bg PegIFN and
ribavirin for 12weeks
HCV genotype 5 or 6
• a combination of weekly PegIFN-α, daily weightbased ribavirin (1000
or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily
sofosbuvir (400 mg) 12 weeks
IFN free regimens for HCV genotype 4/5/6
• Sofosbuvir (400 mg) and ledipasvir (90 mg)
• sofosbuvir (400 mg) and simeprevir (150 mg)
• sofosbuvir (400 mg) and daclatasvir (60 mg)
• Duration - 12 weeks
• Patients with cirrhosis - with daily weight-based ribavirin
• If ribavirin contraindicated - combination for 24 weeks
Monitoring therapy
• PegIFN-α and ribavirin – Haematological parameters
• Sofusbuvir – Renal function tests
• Simprevir – rashes and indirect bilirubin
• A real-time PCR-based assay with a lower limit of detection of ≤15 IU/ml
should be used to monitor HCV RNA levels during and after therapy
• PegIFN-α, ribavirin and sofosbuvir - at baseline and at weeks 4, 12 (end of
treatment), and 12 or 24 weeks after the end of therapy
• PegIFN-α, ribavirin and simeprevir - at baseline, week 4, week 12, week 24
and 12 or 24 weeks after the end of therapy
• IFN-free regimen - at baseline, week 2 (assessment of adherence), week 4,
end of treatment and 12 or 24 weeks after the end of therapy
• Success of the treatment is assessed by SVR – defined as absence of
detectable HCV RNA in the serum six months following end of
treatment
• Relapsers: are defined as patients who achieved undetectable HCV
RNA at the end of treatment and subsequently relapsed and did not
achieve SVR
• With the triple combination of PegIFN-α, ribavirin and simeprevir,
treatment should be stopped if HCV RNA level is ≥25 IU/ml at
treatment week 4, week 12 or week 24
• An immediate switch to another IFN-containing DAA containing or to
an IFN-free regimen without a protease inhibitor should be
considered
HBV HCV COINFECTION
• Patients should be treated with the same regimens, following the
same rules as HCV monoinfected patients
• If HBV replicates at significant levels before, during or after HCV
clearance, concurrent HBV nucleoside/ nucleotide analogue therapy
is indicated
POST TRANSPLANT INFECTION
• All patients with post-transplant recurrence of HCV infection should
be considered for therapy
• an IFN-free regimen, for 12 or 24 weeks with ribavirin
In hemodialysis patients
• Haemodialysis patients should be considered for antiviral therapy
• an IFN-free, if possible ribavirin-free regimen, for 12 weeks in patients
without cirrhosis, for 24 weeks in patients with cirrhosis
• Sofosbuvir should not be administered to patients with an eGFR <30
ml/min/1.73 m2 or with end-stage renal disease
HCV HIV COINFECTION
• Regardless of genotype
• Weekly PEG IFN plus daily ribavirin
• Duration - 48 weeks
TRANSPLANTATION IN CIRRHOSIS
Hepatitis C in India
• According to current estimates more than 6 million people are
affected with Hepatitis C in India
• The predominant genotypes of HCV in India are genotype 3, followed
by genotype 1 and genotypes 4
• Until recently PEG IFN and ribavirin was the only treatment available
in India which costs around Rs.6000 per week
• Generic versions of sofosbuvir, ledipasvir and daclatasvir have now
become available in India, reducing the cost of therapy
• Combination therapy with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir or daclatasvir and
sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin is much more affordable than the
earlier treatment with PEG-IFNbased therapy
• Harvoni, the fixed-dose combination of ledipasvir-sofosbuvir of 90mg
and 400mg, respectively - Rs.25,000 for a bottle of 28 tablets.
• Sofusbuvir tablets – Rs 17000 for a bottle of 28 tablets
• Daclatasavir – Rs.3500 for 28 tablets
• Epclusa – sofusbuvir and velpatasavir
WHO organizes World Hepatitis day on 28 July
every year to increase awareness and
understanding of viral Hepatitis
REFERENCES
• Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine 19th Edition
• Sleisinger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and liver diseases 10th
edition
• Diseases of liver and biliary system Sheila Sherlock 11th edition
• Pawlotsky et al, EASL Recommendations on Treatment of Hepatitis C
2015, Journal of Hepatology 2015 vol. 63 j 199–236
• WHO global guideline for Hepatitis B 2015
THANK YOU..

Hepatitis B and C - Approach and Management : Updates 2018

  • 1.
    RECENT ADVANCES INDAIGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF HEPATITIS B AND CHRONIC HEPATITIS C CHAIR PERSON – Dr. KALINGA B E STUDENT – Dr. ARATHY S
  • 2.
  • 3.
    oHepatitis B isan infectious disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). oIt is a major public health problem, causing chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis of liver and hepatocellular carcinoma. oHuman carcinogen—cause of up to 80% of hepatocellular carcinomas.
  • 4.
  • 7.
  • 9.
  • 10.
    • Appears inthe blood about 6 weeks after infection and has usually disappeared by 3 months after the clinical illness. • Persistence for more than 6 months implies the development of a carrier state or progression to chronicity • A diagnosis of HBV infection can usually be made by detection of HBsAg in serum
  • 11.
    • An inversecorrelation exists between the serum concentration of HBsAg and the degree of liver cell damage. • These suggest that, in hepatitis B, the degree of liver cell damage and the clinical course are related to variations in the patient’s immune response to HBV rather than to the amount of circulating HBsAg
  • 12.
  • 13.
    • HBeAg hasa signal peptide that binds it to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, the secretory apparatus of cell, leading to its secretion into circulation. • This secreted nucleocapsid protein is thus a reliable qualitative marker of HBV replication and infectivity • HBcAg, devoid of signal peptide is not secreted and incorporated into nucleocapsid.
  • 14.
    HBxAg • Capable oftransactivating the transcription of both viral and cellular genes • clinical association observed between the expression of HBxAg and antibodies to it in patients with severe chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma • The transactivating activity can enhance the transcription and replication of other viruses besides HBV such as HIV.
  • 15.
  • 17.
  • 20.
    PHASES OF CHRONICHEPATITIS B
  • 21.
    Phase Liver histology ImmuneTolerant Minimal inflammation and fibrosis Immune Clearance Moderate to severe inflammation or fibrosis Inactive Disease Minimal necroinflammation but variable fibrosis HBeAg-negative Chronic HBV Moderate to severe inflammation or fibrosis
  • 22.
    Evaluation of HBsAg+ve patients • HISTORY Symptoms and signs of liver disease alcohol and metabolic risk factors Family history of HCC vaccination status
  • 23.
    • Laboratory tests completeblood count s.bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP s.albumin, INR AFP, GGT
  • 24.
    SEROLOGY/ VIROLOGY • HBsAgquantitative assay - The quantitative electrochemiluminescence immunoassay determines the HBsAg levels expressed in IU/mL • widely used to monitor chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) patients response to antiviral Therapy.
  • 25.
    Antibodies to HBc •In patients with hepatitis B surface antigenemia of unknown duration testing for IgM anti-HBc may be useful to distinguish between acute or recent infection (IgM anti-HBc-positive) and chronic HBV infection • Specificity = 99.8% to 99.9%
  • 26.
    HBeAg • HBeAg correlateswith ongoing viral synthesis and with infectivity • Persistence for more than 10 weeks strongly suggests the development of chronicity
  • 27.
    Anti HBe • Prognosticfor resolution of infection • The appearance of Anti-Hbe is strong evidence that the patient will recover completely.
  • 28.
    Anti HBs • Afterimmunization with hepatitis B vaccine, which consists of HBsAg alone, anti-HBs is the only serologic marker to appear • Anti-HBs >12mIu – Protective
  • 30.
    Molecular Advances inDiagnosis of HBV Infection • Current HBV DNA assays make use of differing technologies and can generally divided into i) signal amplification assays ii) DNA amplification tests based on PCR • HBV DNA detection based on PCR approach can detect as few as 10 2 – 10 3 Genome copies
  • 31.
    HBV DNA • themost sensitive index of viral replication. • It is a good marker of the level of viraemia, can be correlated with serum transaminase levels
  • 32.
    NEEDLE LIVER BIOPSY •ascertain the degree of necroinflammation and fibrosis • help guide the decision to treat. • the amount of replicating virus in the serum does not correlate with the degree of histological activity
  • 34.
    Non-Invasive Tests (NITs) •APRI • FIB-4 • transient elastography (FibroScan)
  • 35.
  • 36.
    • In ameta-analysis of 40 studies, investigators concluded that an APRI score greater than 1.0 had a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 72% for predicting cirrhosis
  • 37.
  • 38.
    FIB-4 score <1.45had a negative predictive value of 90% for advanced fibrosis. FIB-4 >3.25 would have a 97% specificity and a positive predictive value of 65% for advanced fibrosis. these individuals could potentially have avoided liver biopsy.
  • 39.
    Fibroscan • measure liverstiffness • based on ultrasound technology. • Transient elastography performed with FibroScan has been the most widely evaluated. • >90% accuracy for early Fibrosis and Cirrhosis. • Cost in India – Rs.4000 to 5000/- per scan.
  • 41.
    Screening for HCC oPatientswho are HBsAg positive with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, especially if male and more than 45 years old, should be screened regularly so that hepato-cellular carcinoma may be diagnosed early when surgical resection may prove possible. oSerum α-fetoprotein should be measured and ultrasound examination performed at 6-monthly intervals.
  • 42.
    • HBsAg seroclearancedid not reduce therisk of HCC in patients with Hepatitis B • Hepatitis B patients who have indications for surveillance pre seroclearance should continue getting surveillance post seroclearance. P pP Gounder, Bulkow, Snowball et al; Nested case control study: Hepatocellular carcinoma risk after Hepatitis B surface antigen seroclerance
  • 43.
  • 44.
    ACUTE HEPATITIS B •Supportive management • Recovery in 99% cases • Severe acute Hepatitis B – antiviral therapy with nucleoside analogue duration – until 3 months after HBsAg seroconversion or 6months after HBeAg seroconversion
  • 45.
    CHRONIC HEPATITIS B •Interferons • Nucleotide analogues • Nucleoside analogues
  • 46.
    INTERFERONS • Interferon alphawas the first approved therapy for chronic Hepatitis B. Mechanisms – immunostimulatory intrinsic antiviral activity • Dosage – 5million units daily or 10million units thrice a week
  • 47.
    Contraindications - psychiatricdisease neutropenia or thrombocytopenia coronary artery disease cardiac arrhythmia decompensated cirrhosis renal transplantation.
  • 48.
    • Complications –flu like symptoms marrow suppression emotional lability autoimmune reactions alopecia, rashes, diarrhoea numbness and tingling
  • 49.
    PEGYLATED INTERFERONS • Polyethyleneglycol (PEG) is added to make interferon last longer in the body • Ease of administration • Higher efficacy • Better sustained response rate
  • 50.
  • 51.
    LAMIVUDINE • Clinical andlaboratory side effects of lamivudine are negligible • Emergence of resistance • Long-term monotherapy with lamivudine is associated with methionine to valine(M204V) or methionine-to-isoleucine (M2041)mutations, primarily at amino acid 204 in the tyrosine- methionine aspartate-aspartate (YMDD) motif of HBV DNA polymerase
  • 52.
    • lamivudine isno longer recommended as first-line therapy • The drug is still used widely as first-line therapy in developing countries
  • 53.
    ADEFOVIR DIPIVOXIL • effectiveagainst both wild-type and lamivudine-resistant HBV. • primary treatment failure (<1 log decline in the serum HBV DNA level at week 12) was observed in 30% of patients • Adverse effect – nephrotoxicity • Dose – 10mg/day
  • 54.
    • No longerrecommended as a first line therapy • Used widely as primary therapy or in combination with lamivudine in resistant cases.
  • 55.
    TENOFOVIR • More potentagent • Dosage – 300mg/day • Active against wild type HBV lamivudine resistant HBV slow or limited response to adefovir
  • 56.
    • The 5-yearsafety and resistance profile are very favourable • Replaced adefovir both as first line therapy for chronic Hepatitis B and add on therapy for lamivudine resistant cases.
  • 57.
    • Tenofovir monotherapywas as effective as tenofovir emtricitabine combination and well tolerated in Lamivudine resistans chronic hepatitis B patients for upto 240 weeks Fung s, Kwan P, Fabri M et al; TDF versus TDF/FTC in Lamivudine resistant Hepatitis B : a 5yr randomised study. J.Hepatology 2016 Aug18.
  • 58.
    ENTECAVIR • The mostpotent of the HBV antivirals • High potency and high barrier to resistance renders it a first line drug for patients with chronic Hepatits B • Resistance to entecavir in lamivudine resistant chronic hepatitis B has been recorded to increase progressively to 43% at 4 years. • Entecavir is not as attractive a choice as adefovir or tenofovir for patients with lamivudine resistant hepatitis B
  • 59.
    EFFICACY OF ANTIVIRALSIN CHRONIC HEPATITIS B
  • 60.
    GUIDELINES 1. AASLD: AmericanAssociation of Study of Liver Diseases 2. EASL: European Association for the Study of Liver 3. WHO: World Health Organization
  • 61.
    TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS • Alladults, adolescents and children with CHB and clinical evidence of compensated or decompensated cirrhosis should be treated, regardless of ALT levels, HBeAg status or HBV DNA levels
  • 62.
    • Treatment isrecommended for adults with CHB who do not have clinical evidence of cirrhosis but are aged more than 30 years have persistently abnormal ALT levels with evidence of high-level HBV replication (HBV DNA >20 000 IU/mL), regardless of HBeAg status
  • 63.
    • Antiviral therapyis not recommended and can be deferred in persons without clinical evidence of cirrhosis and with persistently normal ALT levels and low levels of HBV replication (HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL), regardless of HBeAg status or age
  • 64.
    Continued monitoring isnecessary • persons without cirrhosis aged 30 years or less, with HBV DNA levels >20 000 IU/ mL but persistently normal ALT • HBeAg-negative persons without cirrhosis aged 30 years or less, with HBV DNA levels that fluctuate between 2000 and 20 000 IU/mL, or who have intermittently abnormal ALT levels
  • 68.
    TREATMENT OF HEPATITISB IN INDIA • Guidelines recommend selection of drugs with high potency and low risk of resistance • Most guidelines advocate initial treatment with ETV, TDF or peg-IFN • There is insufficient safety and efficacy data on antiviral agents in India
  • 69.
    • ETV hasbeen associated with significantly higher rates of serological, viral and biochemical improvement with no resistance • ADV was found to be less potent though the frequency of resistance mutations was low • TDF and LdT were reported to reverse decompensation and improve hepatic functional status with significant reduction in HBV DNA levels
  • 70.
    • Though allapproved agents are available in India, treatment with guideline recommended first-line agents is a challenge, the major hurdle being unaffordability due to high cost of therapy
  • 71.
    DRUG COSTS [10TABLETS] ENTACAVIR 0.5mg 750 – 1500 ENTACAVIR 1mg 1500-3500 TENOFOVIR 400 LAMIVUDINE 80 ADEFOVIR 245
  • 72.
    • ETV, LdTand TDF can be recommended in compliant patients who can afford good treatment • LAM/ADV combination may be advised for non-affording patients with well compensated cirrhosis while LAM alone may be advised in those with grade II fibrosis.
  • 73.
    When to stoptreatment? • Lifelong NA therapy : All persons with clinical evidence of Cirrhosis.
  • 74.
    • Discontinuation andcareful long term follow up in : oPersons without clinical evidence of cirrhosis oEvidence of HBeAg loss and seroconversion to anti-HBe after completion of atleast 1 year of treatment. oIn association with persistently normal ALT levels and persistently undetectable HBV DNA levels
  • 75.
    LIVER TRANSPLANTATION • Livertransplantation is currently a successful therapy for end-stage chronic HBV-associated liver disease. • The use of high dose HBIG ( Hepatitis B immunoglobulin ) peri- operatively and post-operatively, combined with treatment of heptitis B with entecavir or tenofovir are favored to prevent recurrent HBV infection post-transplantation.
  • 76.
    Special Groups :HBV-HIV coinfection • treating for both HBV and HIV is recommended. • Lamivudine, Emtricitabine and Tenofovir are all nucleoside analogs with activity against both HIV and HBV • Rate of HBV resistance to Lamivudine in HBV-HIV coinfection is almost 90% at 4 years, hence lamivudine should never be used as monotherapy
  • 77.
    • Entecavir haslow-level activity against HIV and can result in selection of HIV resistance • Tenofovir and the combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine in one pill are approved therapies for HIV and represent excellent choices for treating HBV infection in HBV-HIV co-infected patients
  • 78.
    PREGNANCY • Tenofovir iseffective in reducing mother to child transmission Calvin Q Pan, Erhei Dai et al; Tenofovir to prevent Hepatitis B transmission in mothers with high viral load, N Engl J Med 2016 June 16,; 2324-2334
  • 79.
    CHB on CytotoxicChemotherapy • Preemptive treatment with anti-virals for 6 months for inactive Hepatitis B carriers prior to the initiation of chemotherapy has been shown to reduce the risk of such reactivation.
  • 80.
    PREVENTION & IMMUNOPROPHYLAXIS •Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) : effective for passive immunization if given prophylactically or within hours of infection. It is indicated for sexual contacts of acute sufferers, babies born to HBsAg-positive mothers and victims of parenteral exposure (needle stick) to HBsAg-positive blood.
  • 81.
    oIn healthy individualsthe recombinant vaccine is given in a dose of 20μg (2 ml) intramuscularly, repeated at 1 month with a booster at 6 months. oFor patients undergoing haemodialysis and for other immunosuppressed patients, higher vaccine dosages (40μg) or an increased number of doses are recommended(4 doses).
  • 82.
    POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS •0.06ml/Kg HBIG plus first dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine and continue vaccine course.
  • 83.
  • 84.
    • Family –Flaviviridae • Genus – Hepacivirus • A small ( 50 nm ) virus ss RNA virus • RNA sequence analysis into at least six major genotypes (Clades) • There are 100 subtypes.
  • 86.
    • HCV circulatesin various forms in the serum of an infected host, including (1) virions that are bound to very-low-density and low-density lipoproteins and appear to represent the infectious fraction, (2) virions bound to immunoglobulins (3) free virions.
  • 87.
    • Chronic hepatitisdevelops in 50% to 90% of persons with acute HCV infection. • In the minority of patients in whom acute HCV resolves, an early and multispecific T-cell response occurs. • This response can be detected up to 20 years after resolution of infection and may contribute to protection in case of subsequent exposures to HCV.
  • 88.
    ACUTE HEPATITIS C •Acute hepatitis C is rarely seen in clinical practice • nearly all cases are asymptomatic • Even in symptomatic patients, however, most of the clinical symptoms are nonspecific • fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, mild fever, itching, myalgia, Jaundice
  • 90.
    • The rateof viral persistence after acute infection ranges from 45% to more than 90%. Age and gender source of infection and size of inoculum immune status of the host patient’s race • the rate of spontaneous clearance is higher in symptomatic patients in whom jaundice develops during acute infection than in those who remain asymptomatic
  • 91.
    CHRONIC HEPATITIS C •Chronic HCV infection has a variable course; in some patients disease progression to cirrhosis is slow, while in others, progression is more rapid
  • 93.
    INVESTIGATIONS Indirect Assays • EIAsdetect antibodies against different HCV antigens • The third-generation EIAs detect antibodies against HCV core, NS3, NS4, and NS5 antigens as early as 7 to 8 weeks after infection, with sensitivity and specificity rates of 99%
  • 94.
    • The presenceof anti-HCV in high titer in serum (enzyme immunoassay [EIA] ratio> 9) indicates exposure to the virus • does not differentiate among acute, chronic, and resolved infection. • Serologic assays are used initially for diagnosis.
  • 95.
    Direct Assays • Virologicassays are required for confirming infection, monitoring response to treatment, and evaluating immunocompromised patients.
  • 96.
    • Quantitative assays Realtime PCR Transcription meadiated amplification • The advantages of these very sensitive tests include positivity within 1 to 3 weeks after acute infection and detection of low-level residual infection during antiviral therapy • Disadvantage – lack of comparability among different assays
  • 97.
    • HCV coreantigen assay - cheaper and faster alternative Fully automated immunoassays
  • 98.
    HCV GENOTYPING • Themost accurate method is PCR methodology and direct sequencing of the NS5B or E1 region • Reverse hybridization to genotype-specific probes • restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis • PCR amplification of the 5′ noncoding region of the HCV genome.
  • 100.
  • 102.
    EASL Recommendations • Anti-HCVantibodies are the first-line diagnostic test for HCV infection • In the case of suspected acute hepatitis C or in immunocompromised patients, HCV RNA testing should be part of the initial evaluation
  • 103.
    • If anti-HCVantibodies are detected, HCV RNA should be determined by a sensitive molecular method • Anti-HCV-positive, HCV RNA negative individuals should be retested for HCV RNA three months later to confirm true convalescence
  • 104.
    TREATMENT DRUGS • INTERFERONS • PEGYLATEDINTERFERONS • DIRECTLY ACTING ANTIVIRAL AGENTS
  • 107.
    Ribavirin • Guanosine analogue •Side effect – RBC breakdown birth defect in babies Taribavirin [viramidine or ribamidine] - ribavirin derivative less erythrocyte-trapping and better liver-targeting than ribavirin. phase III human trials
  • 108.
  • 110.
    EASL Recommendations • Thegoal of therapy is to cure HCV infection to prevent hepatic cirrhosis, decompensation of cirrhosis, HCC, severe extra-hepatic manifestations and death • The endpoint of therapy is undetectable HCV RNA in a sensitive assay (≤15 IU/ml) 12 weeks (SVR12) and 24 weeks (SVR24) after the end of treatment
  • 111.
    • In patientswith advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, HCV eradication reduces the rate of decompensation and will reduce, albeit not abolish, the risk of HCC. In these patients surveillance for HCC should be continued • In patients with decompensated cirrhosis, HCV eradication reduces the need for liver transplantation. Whether HCV eradication impacts mid- to long-term survival in these patients is unknown
  • 112.
    • Treatment isindicated All treatment-naive and treatment-experienced patients with compensated and decompensated liver disease
  • 113.
    Treatment should beprioritized • Patients with significant fibrosis (F3) or cirrhosis (F4), including decompensated cirrhosis • Patients with HIV coinfection • Patients with HBV coinfection • Patients with an indication for liver transplantation
  • 114.
    • Patients withHCV recurrence after liver transplantation • Patients with clinically significant extra-hepatic manifestations • Patients with debilitating fatigue • Individuals at risk of transmitting HCV (active injection drug users, men who have sex with men with high-risk sexual practices, women of child-bearing age who wish to get pregnant, haemodialysis patients, incarcerated individuals)
  • 115.
    Treatment can bedeferred Patients with no or mild disease (F0-F1) and none of the above-mentioned extrahepatic manifestations
  • 116.
    Treatment is notrecommended Patients with limited life expectancy due to non-liver related comorbidities
  • 117.
    HCV genotype 1 •a combination of weekly PegIFN-α, daily weightbased ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily sofosbuvir (400 mg) 12 weeks
  • 118.
    • combination ofweekly PegIFN-α, daily weightbased ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily simeprevir (150 mg) for 12 weeks to be followed bg PegIFN and ribavirin for 12weeks
  • 119.
    IFN free regimens •Sofosbuvir (400 mg) and ledipasvir (90 mg) • sofosbuvir (400 mg) and simeprevir (150 mg) • sofosbuvir (400 mg) and daclatasvir (60 mg)
  • 120.
    • Duration -12 weeks • Patients with cirrhosis - with daily weight-based ribavirin • If ribavirin contraindicated - combination for 24 weeks
  • 121.
    • the fixed-dosecombination of ombitasvir (12.5 mg), paritaprevir (75 mg) and ritonavir (50 mg) in one single tablet (two tablets once daily with food), and dasabuvir (250 mg) (one tablet twice daily)
  • 122.
    • 1a withcirrhosis – 24weeks with ribavirin • 1a without cirrhosis – 12weeks with ribavirin • 1b without cirrhosis – 12weeks without ribavirin • 1b with cirrhosis – 12weeks with ribavirin
  • 123.
    HCV genotype 2 •daily weight-based ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily sofosbuvir (400 mg) for 12 weeks • Cirrhosis or treatment experienced – 16-20 weeks
  • 124.
    Cirrhotic and/or treatment-experienced patients •weekly PegIFN-α, daily weight-based ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily sofosbuvir (400 mg) 12 weeks • an IFN-free combination of daily sofosbuvir (400 mg) and daily daclatasvir (60 mg) for 12 weeks
  • 125.
    HCV genotype 3 •weekly PegIFN-α, weightbased ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and sofosbuvir (400 mg) daily 12 Weeks • weight-based ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively) sofosbuvir (400 mg) daily for 24 weeks • sofosbuvir (400 mg) and daclatasvir (60 mg) daily for 12weeks
  • 126.
    HCV genotype 4 •a combination of weekly PegIFN-α, daily weightbased ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily sofosbuvir (400 mg) 12 weeks
  • 127.
    • combination ofweekly PegIFN-α, daily weightbased ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily simeprevir (150 mg) for 12 weeks to be followed bg PegIFN and ribavirin for 12weeks
  • 128.
    HCV genotype 5or 6 • a combination of weekly PegIFN-α, daily weightbased ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg in patients <75 kg or ≥75 kg, respectively), and daily sofosbuvir (400 mg) 12 weeks
  • 129.
    IFN free regimensfor HCV genotype 4/5/6 • Sofosbuvir (400 mg) and ledipasvir (90 mg) • sofosbuvir (400 mg) and simeprevir (150 mg) • sofosbuvir (400 mg) and daclatasvir (60 mg)
  • 130.
    • Duration -12 weeks • Patients with cirrhosis - with daily weight-based ribavirin • If ribavirin contraindicated - combination for 24 weeks
  • 131.
    Monitoring therapy • PegIFN-αand ribavirin – Haematological parameters • Sofusbuvir – Renal function tests • Simprevir – rashes and indirect bilirubin
  • 133.
    • A real-timePCR-based assay with a lower limit of detection of ≤15 IU/ml should be used to monitor HCV RNA levels during and after therapy • PegIFN-α, ribavirin and sofosbuvir - at baseline and at weeks 4, 12 (end of treatment), and 12 or 24 weeks after the end of therapy • PegIFN-α, ribavirin and simeprevir - at baseline, week 4, week 12, week 24 and 12 or 24 weeks after the end of therapy • IFN-free regimen - at baseline, week 2 (assessment of adherence), week 4, end of treatment and 12 or 24 weeks after the end of therapy
  • 134.
    • Success ofthe treatment is assessed by SVR – defined as absence of detectable HCV RNA in the serum six months following end of treatment • Relapsers: are defined as patients who achieved undetectable HCV RNA at the end of treatment and subsequently relapsed and did not achieve SVR
  • 135.
    • With thetriple combination of PegIFN-α, ribavirin and simeprevir, treatment should be stopped if HCV RNA level is ≥25 IU/ml at treatment week 4, week 12 or week 24 • An immediate switch to another IFN-containing DAA containing or to an IFN-free regimen without a protease inhibitor should be considered
  • 139.
    HBV HCV COINFECTION •Patients should be treated with the same regimens, following the same rules as HCV monoinfected patients • If HBV replicates at significant levels before, during or after HCV clearance, concurrent HBV nucleoside/ nucleotide analogue therapy is indicated
  • 140.
    POST TRANSPLANT INFECTION •All patients with post-transplant recurrence of HCV infection should be considered for therapy • an IFN-free regimen, for 12 or 24 weeks with ribavirin
  • 141.
    In hemodialysis patients •Haemodialysis patients should be considered for antiviral therapy • an IFN-free, if possible ribavirin-free regimen, for 12 weeks in patients without cirrhosis, for 24 weeks in patients with cirrhosis • Sofosbuvir should not be administered to patients with an eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2 or with end-stage renal disease
  • 142.
    HCV HIV COINFECTION •Regardless of genotype • Weekly PEG IFN plus daily ribavirin • Duration - 48 weeks
  • 143.
  • 145.
    Hepatitis C inIndia • According to current estimates more than 6 million people are affected with Hepatitis C in India • The predominant genotypes of HCV in India are genotype 3, followed by genotype 1 and genotypes 4 • Until recently PEG IFN and ribavirin was the only treatment available in India which costs around Rs.6000 per week
  • 146.
    • Generic versionsof sofosbuvir, ledipasvir and daclatasvir have now become available in India, reducing the cost of therapy • Combination therapy with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir or daclatasvir and sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin is much more affordable than the earlier treatment with PEG-IFNbased therapy
  • 147.
    • Harvoni, thefixed-dose combination of ledipasvir-sofosbuvir of 90mg and 400mg, respectively - Rs.25,000 for a bottle of 28 tablets. • Sofusbuvir tablets – Rs 17000 for a bottle of 28 tablets • Daclatasavir – Rs.3500 for 28 tablets • Epclusa – sofusbuvir and velpatasavir
  • 148.
    WHO organizes WorldHepatitis day on 28 July every year to increase awareness and understanding of viral Hepatitis
  • 149.
    REFERENCES • Harrison’s Principlesof Internal Medicine 19th Edition • Sleisinger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and liver diseases 10th edition • Diseases of liver and biliary system Sheila Sherlock 11th edition • Pawlotsky et al, EASL Recommendations on Treatment of Hepatitis C 2015, Journal of Hepatology 2015 vol. 63 j 199–236 • WHO global guideline for Hepatitis B 2015
  • 150.

Editor's Notes

  • #5 The virus was not discovered until 1965 when Baruch Blumberg, discovered the Australia antigen ( later known to be Heptitis B Surface antigen, or HBsAg ) in the blood of Australian aboriginal people.
  • #6 HBV is a small DNA virus that belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family. a DNA genome that has a relaxed, circular, partially double-stranded configuration Exists in three forms 22nm particles – spherical or long filamentous 42nm particles – double shelled spherical particles intact hepatitis B virion
  • #8 The clinical associations with the various genotypes have not led to specific recommendations on routine testing because genotype classification does not generally lead to a difference in management.
  • #9 The 4 viral genes components include the core, surface, X, and polymerase genes. The core gene encodes the core nucleocapsid protein, which is important in viral packaging and production of HBeAg. The surface gene encodes the pre-S1, pre-S2, and S proteins (comprising the large [L], middle [M], and small [S] surface proteins). The X gene encodes the X protein, which has transactivating properties and may be important in hepatic carcinogenesis. The polymerase gene haS a large ORF (≈800 amino acids) and overlaps the entire length of the surface ORF. It encodes a large protein with functions that are critical for packaging and DNA replication
  • #12 , titers are highest in immunosuppressed patients, lower in patients with chronic liver disease, and very low in patients with acute fulminant hepatitis.
  • #15 testing for it is not part of routine clinical practice.
  • #18 Persons with chronic HBV infection, by contrast, exhibit infrequent, narrowly focused, and weak HBVspecific T-cell responses
  • #30 COMMONLY ENCOUNTERED SEROLOGICAL PATTERNS
  • #35 for assessing the stage of liver disease are supplanting liver biopsy and have been validated in adults with CHB.
  • #45 Tenofovir or entecavir Clinical trials have not yet established the efficacy of this.
  • #76 RECURRENCE RATE IS HIGH BECAUSE OF EXTRAHEPATIC PROLIFERATION
  • #80 Patients with chronic hepatitis B who undergo cytotoxic chemotherapy for treatment of malignancies experience enhanced HBV replication and viral expression on hepatocyte membranes during chemotherapy coupled with suppression of cellular immunity. Such patients are at risk of reactivation of Hepatitis B.
  • #86 The 2 envelope proteins, E1 and E2, heterodimerize and assemble into tetramers, which create a smooth outer layer The nucleocapsid is believed to be composed of multiple copies of the core protein and forms an internal icosahedral viral coat that encapsulates the genomic RNA
  • #91 - younger and female patients having the lowest rates of chronicity. chronicity may be less common in PWID than in those who acquire HCV infection by blood transfusion), chronicity rates are higher in persons with immunodeficiency states such as agammaglobulinemia and HIV infection
  • #97 No standardisation
  • #102 The serology of hepatitis C infection with a chronic course. Note that HCV RNA appears early, before the rise in alanine transferase (ALT) and persists. Anti-HCV positivity is delayed, appearing between 11 and 20 weeks of the onset. ALT shows characteristic fluctuations as chronicity develops
  • #108 Nucleoside inhibitor
  • #110 Epclusa – sofusbuvir and velpatasavir
  • #114 Patients with decompensated cirrhosis should be urgently treated with ifn free regimen
  • #144 DECOMPENSATION SHORTENS SURVIVAL