Genetic variation in FCER1A predicts peginterferon alfa-2a-induced hepatitis B surface antigen clearance in East Asian patients with chronic hepatitis B.

In a multicentre, genome-wide association study to identify host genetic factors associated with treatment response in adult chronic hepatitis B patients, genotype data were obtained by microarray analysis from 1669 patients who received peginterferon alfa-2a for ≥ 24 weeks with/without a nucleos(t)ide analog. Treatment response was assessed at least 24 weeks post-treatment, using serological and/or virological endpoints. Thirty-six single-marker analyses and a gene-by-gene analysis were conducted.

Clinical and virological heterogeneity of hepatitis delta in different regions world-wide: The Hepatitis Delta International Network (HDIN).

Background & Aims: Chronic hepatitis D (delta) is a major global health burden. Clinical and virological characteristics of patients with hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection and treatment approaches in different regions world-wide are poorly defined.

Methods: The Hepatitis Delta International Network (HDIN) registry was established in 2011 with centres in Europe, Asia, North- and South America.

GENOMIC ANALYSIS OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS STRAINS INFECTING ROMANIAN PATIENTS.

Chronic hepatitis B is widespread and represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality due to the evolution to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study was designed to improve the national laboratory surveillance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, focusing on genomic analysis of isolates from Romanian patients. Sera from ten patients with HBV were collected and analyzed.

Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection in Romania: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

Background: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is associated with accelerated progression of fibrosis, early occurrence of hepatic decompensation and an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. Epidemiological data on hepatitis delta virus (HDV) in Romania are still lacking.

Aim: To assess the prevalence, virological, clinical and epidemiological features of HDV infection in Romanian patients.

Efficacy and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/r and dasabuvir compared to IFN-containing regimens in genotype 1 HCV patients: The MALACHITE-I/II trials.

Background & Aims: Telaprevir plus pegylated interferon/ribavirin (TPV+PegIFN/RBV) remains a therapeutic option for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT) 1 infection in many regions. We conducted two open-label, phase IIIb trials comparing safety and efficacy of all-oral ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir±ribavirin (OBV/PTV/r+DSV±RBV) and TPV+PegIFN/RBV.

Methods: Treatment-naïve (MALACHITE-I) or PegIFN/RBV-experienced (MALACHITE-II) non-cirrhotic, chronic HCV GT1-infected patients were randomized to OBV/PTV/r+DSV+weight-based RBV, OBV/PTV/r+DSV (treatment-naïve, GT1b-infected patients only), or 12weeks of TPV+PegIFN+weight-based RBV and 12-36 additional weeks of PegIFN/RBV.

A real life boceprevir use in treatment-experienced HCV genotype 1 patients with advanced fibrosis.

Background: A number of high quality randomized clinical trials examining the efficacy and safety of triple therapy in genotype-1 HCV-infected patients have been published. However, these trials included a small number of patients with advanced fibrosis, and selected a population different from that in real-world settings.

Aim: To determine the efficacy of boceprevir, pegInterferon and ribavirin regimen in genotype-1 treatment-experienced HCV-infected patients with cirrhosis and bridging fibrosis in real-life setting.

Comparative methods for genotyping hepatitis C virus isolates from Romania.

Accurate genotyping of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has clinical implications for treatment orientation and epidemiological impact in tracing the contamination sources. The aim of the study was to compare a genotyping assay by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the HCV 5'untranslated region (5'UTR) with sequencing in the 5'untranslated and NS5B regions. One hundred and three samples, collected between 2004 and 2006 from chronically infected patients with HCV, were tested with the 5'UTR and NS5B protocols.