Hep B Blog

Monthly Archives: January 2021

About Hepatitis B, HBV, Hepatitis B Advocacy

Correctional Facilities and Hepatitis B

 

People experiencing incarceration in correctional facilities face a disproportionate burden of hepatitis B. This is due to potential increased exposure to high-risk individuals, including people who inject drugs or exchange sex for money or drugs.1 This blog will discuss the prevalence of hepatitis B in individuals experiencing incarceration in the United States and globally, risk factors for infection, and recommendations for policymakers, public health professionals, and correctional facilities.

Prevalence in The United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 850,000 to 2.2 million individuals are living with hepatitis B in the United States.2 Of those individuals, an estimated 0.9% to 11.4% for HBsAg (active, infectious HBV) and 6.5% to 42.6% for HBcAb (ever infected) of people experiencing incarceration are living with hepatitis B.2

Prevalence Internationally

Researchers have conducted various studies in different countries to determine hepatitis B prevalence. For example, a study in Iran found a prevalence of HBV DNA in incarcerated individuals at 2.1%.1  Another study in Mexico City tested over 15,500 men experiencing incarceration and almost 1,800 women experiencing incarceration and found the rate of HBcAb among men was 2.8% and among women, 3.0%. The rate of HBsAg was 0.1% among men and 0.3% among women.1

Risk Factors

Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood, semen, and other bodily fluids.1  Routes of transmission among incarcerated individuals include sharing needles and cookers or other injection drug paraphernalia, sharing tattoo paraphernalia, sharing razors, and having unprotected sex with someone living with hepatitis B.3  Because of policies in the United States criminalizing injection drug use and sex work, correctional facilities are more likely to have higher concentrations of individuals engaging in these risky behaviors. Additionally, sterile equipment is sometimes inaccessible and sharing drug injection equipment is common in correctional facilities which contributes to an increased risk of individuals contracting hepatitis B while experiencing incarceration.3

Recommendations

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends hepatitis B screening for all high-risk adult individuals which include people experiencing incarceration. However, The Hepatitis B Foundation urges a recommendation for universal screening because it would allow for individuals experiencing incarceration to lower their risk of contracting hepatitis B in correctional settings.

Opt-out vaccine programming is another strategy that can help to prevent the spread of hepatitis B in correctional facilities. However, it is also important for individuals at correctional facilities to be screened before they are vaccinated, to identify those who are already infected. Additionally, when public health professionals implement opt-out hepatitis B vaccination and/or screening programs in correctional facilities, they must ensure clear communication so that program recipients understand what they are being screened/vaccinated for, and that testing/vaccination is voluntary.4 Being diagnosed with a chronic infectious disease can be daunting, and some would rather not know their status, which is important to recognize and respect. Public health professionals also need to recognize the challenges associated with designing vaccination programs in correctional facilities. It is important to design a sustainable program which emphasizes continuous medical care for individuals who test positive for hepatitis B throughout incarceration, even with challenging situations like transfers, and reintegration back into their communities.1

Correctional facilities should consider providing treatment options for people experiencing addiction as well as utilizing a harm reduction approach to provide sterile injection and tattoo equipment to reduce the risk of hepatitis B transmission.1

References

  1. Smith JM, Uvin AZ, Macmadu A, Rich JD. Epidemiology and Treatment of Hepatitis B in Prisoners. Curr Hepatol Rep. 2017;16(3):178-183. doi:10.1007/s11901-017-0364-8
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/hbvfaq.htm
  3. Gupta S, Altice FL. Hepatitis B virus infection in US correctional facilities: a review of diagnosis, management, and public health implications. J Urban Health. 2009;86(2):263-279. doi:10.1007/s11524-008-9338-z
  4. Rosen DL, Golin CE, Grodensky CA, et al. Opt-out HIV testing in prison: informed and voluntary?. AIDS Care. 2015;27(5):545-554. doi:10.1080/09540121.2014.989486

 

Author: Evangeline Wang, Program Coordinator

Contact Information: info@hepb.org

300 Million Reasons, advocacy, HBV, Hepatitis B Advocacy, Hepatitis B Awareness, News

Hepatitis B Foundation Introduces 300 Million Reasons Movement

By Beatrice Zovich

The Hepatitis B Foundation is excited to launch a new movement called 300 Million Reasons, named for the almost 300 million people worldwide who are living with hepatitis B. The goal of this movement is to improve awareness about hepatitis B and liver cancer worldwide, to promote engagement of key stakeholders, and to empower people impacted by hepatitis B across the globe to become vocal advocates. We want to amplify the voices and stories of the millions of people directly affected by this disease, in order to make sure that hepatitis B is granted the funding, attention, and serious consideration that it deserves. The 300 Million Reasons movement will be officially launched in July of 2021, in time for World Hepatitis Day, but we wanted to begin sharing resources and information now. 

This movement is divided into four branches: B Informed, B Connected, B the Voice, and B the Change. Each of these arms is described below. 

B Informed

Hepatitis B can be prevented, treated, and managed. The B Informed branch of the 300 Million Reasons movement involves raising awareness about hepatitis B and liver cancer, providing accurate information, dispelling myths and misconceptions, decreasing stigma and discrimination, and providing simple hepatitis B educational tools, which will focus on transmission, prevention, liver cancer screening, and living with chronic hepatitis B. We have created a free and downloadable social media toolkit that can help spread the word about statistics, vaccines, testing, monitoring and care, symptoms, blood tests, acute vs. chronic hepatitis B and more. Check it out today! 

B Connected

You are not alone! The B Connected arm of 300 Million Reasons works to increase access to clinical trials, expand global connections to support people living with hepatitis B and their loved ones around the world, establish international peer mentoring programs, and create a social network and further community engagement opportunities for people impacted by hepatitis B. This branch of the movement will be modeled after current coalition work that has been done with Hep B United and the Coalition Against Hepatitis in People of African Origin. 

B the Voice

Your voice matters! The B the Voice component of the 300 Million Reasons movement is focused primarily on international storytelling and elevating the voices of those living with and affected by hepatitis B around the world. Stories of discrimination, stigma, screening, diagnosis, treatment, supporting community and family members, personal and larger-scale successes, setbacks and victories – all are important to share and learn about in order to raise awareness, inspire change, and eventually find a cure. Do you have a story to share? We would love to read it! Share your story today using this link. 

B the Change

Stand up, speak out! B the Change aims to increase activism among those living with hepatitis B and their loved ones and to use this as a tool to advance the cause of increasing knowledge about and support for hepatitis B among legislators and policy-makers. It will include national and international community ambassadors, strong relationships with the World Hepatitis Alliance and other key partners, outreach to people living with hepatitis B who have not had prior involvement in this effort, and advocacy training and opportunities. With knowledge can come action – let’s build a strong communication network to spread the word and B the Change to create a world that is Hep B-free! Become a hep B advocate today by joining our Action Center. 

The 300 Million Reasons movement will continue to grow and expand over the coming months and years, as more materials and resources are developed and disseminated. We hope you will continue to stay tuned on our website for updates and that you will join us in taking steps toward shining a light upon, and eventually eliminating, hepatitis B! Join the movement today!

HBV

Pharmacies and Hepatitis B

Yesterday was National Pharmacy Day! Every year, January 12th honors pharmacists and their role in healthcare. While we do not typically think of pharmacists as traditional healthcare practitioners, they play a highly important role in patients’ lives.

Pharmacies and Hepatitis B

Pharmacies have a direct impact on our health. Pharmacists interact with patients and medical professionals on a daily basis to provide important drug management services and play an important role in vaccination uptake. Community pharmacies are ubiquitous in urban and suburban areas which increases individuals’ access to vaccination services. Unlike traditional primary care settings, community pharmacies do not require appointments for vaccinations which increases someone’s likelihood of receiving a vaccine.1 Not only are they more accessible, but also cost-effective. One study found that of the 6 million vaccines administered at one national pharmacy chain, one third or around 1.98 million individuals received their vaccines outside of typical work hours, like the weekend, holidays, and evenings.1 This convenience allows for more prevention which reduces long-term future costs of treatment and management.

According to the American Pharmacist Association, the hepatitis B vaccine is available in less than 50% of community pharmacies.2 However, we can work to increase this number! Pharmacies can incorporate best practices and successful models to provide and administer multi-dose vaccines. An example strategy includes text message or email reminders for follow-up doses.2 Utilizing community pharmacies to increase hepatitis B vaccine uptake is essential to making progress toward hepatitis B elimination. Pharmacists have access to important patient information which allows them to identify patients for vaccine-preventable diseases like hepatitis B. Expanding hepatitis B care into non-traditional settings like pharmacies will allow for greater vaccination coverage. This week, let’s appreciate our pharmacies and pharmacists for what they do for our communities and encourage them to expand their immunization services.

References

  1. https://www.ajmc.com/view/essential-role-community-pharmacies-expanding-access-vaccines
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2020/20_0062.htm

Author: Evangeline Wang, Program Coordinator

Contact Information: info@hepb.org

 

HDV, Hepatitis Delta (HDV), News, Research

Eiger Presents Clinical Trial Results at The Liver Meeting Digital Experience™ 2020

By Beatrice Zovich

The 2020 meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) in November offered the opportunity for scientists from industry and academia to present their findings from clinical trials, studying new medications for hepatitis B and D. Two such presentations were given by Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. who presented their findings about how well their medications peginterferon lambda and lonafarnib work, both independently and in combination, to treat hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and halt liver fibrosis. The results are promising and offer hope for those affected by HDV.

The two medicines under investigation in these studies work in different ways. Lonafarnib works by blocking farnesyl transferase, an enzyme involved in prenylation, the modification of proteins that is necessary for the life cycle of HDV. Peginterferon lambda, on the other hand, triggers immune responses that are crucial for host protection during viral infections. Lambda can also target liver cells accurately, thus reducing the effects of inadvertently targeting central nervous system cells and making it more tolerable to those taking it (Eiger, 2020).

Eiger’s first study examined how well peginterferon lambda and lonafarnib (known as LIFT – Lambda InterFeron combo Therapy) work together to lower levels of HDV RNA, 24 weeks post-treatment (Eiger, 2020). This was a Phase 2 study. Lambda was administered at a dosage of 180 mcg once weekly, in combination with 50 mg of Lonafarnib and 100 mg of ritonavir given twice daily, for 24 weeks. The results of this study found that 77% of the 26 participants saw their HDV RNA levels decline and reach a level that was either undetectable or below the level of quantification. 23% of these participants were able to maintain these levels for 24 weeks after treatment had ended. Both tenofovir and entecavir were started prior to treatment for management of HBV. The observed side effects of this regimen were mild to moderate and included mostly gastrointestinal issues or were related to blood chemistry (Eiger, 2020).

The second study found that peginterferon lambda caused the regression of liver fibrosis after 48 weeks of treatment in people living with hepatitis delta. Two case studies emerged from the completed Phase 2 LIMT (Lambda Interferon MonoTherapy) study (Eiger, 2020). In these studies, a total of 33 participants received either 180 µg or 120 µg of lambda subcutaneous injections weekly for 48 weeks. Results indicated that degrees of liver fibrosis and levels of HDV RNA declined below the level of quantification in some participants, even after 72 weeks in a handful of cases. In some instances, ALT levels decreased as well. Side effects were found to be mild to moderate and fewer than those experienced by participants who had taken peginterferon alpha in the past. Side effects were primarily flu-like in nature (Eiger, 2020). 

Therapies for hepatitis B and D will only continue to improve and become more precise and targeted as time goes by. Check out the Hepatitis Delta Connect website for detailed information on HDV, as well as current clinical trials and a drug watch page, both of which are updated regularly. (A brand-new clinical trial has just been added!) For more information about Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, click here. 

References

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc. (2020, November 17). Eiger Announces Positive Peginterferon Lambda – Lonafarnib Combination End of Study Results from Phase 2 LIFT HDV Study in Late-Breaker Session at The Liver Meeting Digital Experience™ 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020, from https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/eiger-announces-positive-peginterferon-lambda-lonafarnib-combination-end-of-study-results-from-phase-2-lift-hdv-study-in-late-breaker-session-at-the-liver-meeting-digital-experience-2020/

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, I. (2020, November 16). Eiger Announces Case Studies Demonstrating Regression of Liver Fibrosis Following 48 Weeks of Therapy with Peginterferon Lambda in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) Infection Presented at The Liver Meeting Digital Experience™ 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020, from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eiger-announces-case-studies-demonstrating-regression-of-liver-fibrosis-following-48-weeks-of-therapy-with-peginterferon-lambda-in-patients-with-chronic-hepatitis-delta-virus-hdv-infection-presented-at-the-liver-meeting-digital–301173992.html 

Baruch S. Blumberg Institute