anti-hepatitis-B therapy (IMMUNO HBS / UMANBIG / IMMUNOHBS)

Evaluation of the Virucidal Activity of Chlorine Dioxide against Hepatitis B Virus.

Chen Ming M, Pereira Caroline Donzeli CD, Watashi Koichi K, Shibata Takashi T et al.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major global public health concern, with numerous nosocomial and occupational outbreaks reported. Preventing indirect HBV transmission through effective disinfection is crucial. This study evaluated the virucidal activity of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) against HBV and compared it with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). Pretreatment of HBV with ClO₂ at 10, 100, and 250 ppm (mg/L) for 1 min reduced hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) release to 65.5%, 21.9%, and 7.0%; hepatitis B core (HBc)-positive cells to 59.1%, 27.0%, and 6.6%; intracellular HBV RNA to 71.5%, 31.6%, and 3.0%; and extracellular HBV DNA to 82.2%, 42.6%, and 14.1%, respectively. At identical concentrations, NaClO produced smaller reductions. In the presence of organic matter, no significant reduction in ClO₂ activity against HBV was observed. ClO₂ demonstrated approximately 2.2-fold greater anti-HBV potency than NaClO with and without bovine serum albumin and sheep erythrocytes. Neutralizer, cell-permissiveness, and ultrafiltration controls supported direct viral inactivation. These findings indicate that ClO₂ showed stronger in vitro anti-HBV activity than NaClO within the tested concentration range and conditions.

The Evolving Burden of Hepatitis B and C: Past Trends and Future Projections from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Chen Yue Y, Mao He-Hui HH, Zhang Ming-Jing MJ, Zhang Jin-Yan JY et al.

Hepatitis B and C continue to pose significant challenges to global public health, and this study is aimed at evaluating their burden. Leveraging data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021, we analyzed age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) and age-standardized disability-adjusted life year rates (ASDRs) for hepatitis B and C from 1990 to 2021 using Joinpoint regression, age-period-cohort models, and decomposition analysis. Bayesian age-period-cohort models were applied to project future trends up to 2036. Additionally, we assessed the burden attributable to modifiable risk factors and its association with socioeconomic indicators. From 1990 to 2021, the global ASMR for hepatitis B declined from 12.19 to 7.57 per 100,000, and the ASMR for hepatitis C decreased from 8.18 to 6.10 per 100,000. Despite these decreases, the absolute numbers of deaths and DALYs continued to increase, mainly driven by population growth and aging. In 2021, males carried a disproportionately higher burden of hepatitis B and C compared to females. Moreover, countries with low socioeconomic development faced a greater burden. Notably, high alcohol consumption accounted for 16.20% of hepatitis B DALYs, while drug use was responsible for 49.49% of hepatitis C DALYs. By 2036, ASMRs are projected to decline further to 5.90 per 100,000 for hepatitis B and 5.23 per 100,000 for hepatitis C. Although ASMRs and ASDRs have declined, the global burden of hepatitis B and C remains considerable. Continued efforts in vaccination, antiviral treatment, and control of key risk factors are crucial, especially in populations with a high burden.

Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Cryoglobulinemic Glomerulonephritis Misdiagnosed as Lupus Nephritis: the Value of Clinicopathologic Integration.

Nguyen Thoi The TT, Dang Nghia Thanh NT, Hoang Uyen U, Nghiem Dung Trung DT et al.

Remarkable similarity between domestic cat hepatitis B virus strains identified in stray cats and outbreak-associated strains from a cat shelter in Okinawa, Japan.

Houri Yuika Y YY, Kato Nanami X NX, Adachi Yukinobu Y, Kawano Miki X MX et al.

We recently identified a domestic cat hepatitis B virus (DCHBV) outbreak at a cat shelter in Okinawa, Japan. Viral genome sequencing showed that this particular strain was highly conserved and distinct from previously reported Japanese strains, suggesting that a single strain had spread within the shelter. However, the origin of this strain remained unclear. DCHBV strains were also identified in two stray cats in central Okinawa. The outbreak strain shared 99.4-99.8% and 99.5-99.8% nucleotide identity with the strain from stray cat #1 and #2, respectively, indicating a close genetic relationship among all DCHBV strains identified in Okinawa. Our findings highlight the importance of screening stray cats for DCHBV before admission to shelters to help prevent outbreaks.