Opt-out testing for hepatitis B and C infections in adults attending the emergency department of a large London teaching hospital.

Background: The National Health Service (NHS) in England commissioned opt-out testing in London Emergency Departments (ED) in April 2022 to allow early identification and management of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients unaware of their infection status.

Methods: All adults over the age of 16 undergoing blood tests in the ED at the Royal Free Hospital were tested for HBV surface antigen and anti-HCV IgG unless they opted out. Data was collected between the 12th of April and 22nd of August 2022.

Diagnostic accuracy of Abbott Architect Assay as a screening tool for human T-cell leukaemia virus type-1 and type-2 infection in a London teaching hospital with a large solid organ transplant centre.

Aim: In the United Kingdom, organ donors/recipients are screened for evidence of human T-cell leukaemia virus type-1 and type-2 (HTLV-1/2) infections. Since the United Kingdom is a low prevalence country for HTLV infections, a screening assay with high sensitivity and specificity is required. Samples with repeat reactivity on antibody testing are sent to a reference lab for confirmatory serological and molecular testing.

Hepatitis E infection in stem cell and solid organ transplantpatients: A cross-sectional study: The importance of HEV RNA screening in peri-transplant period.

Background: Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is a common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Typically associated with a self-limiting illness, infection may persist in immunosuppressed populations with significant morbidity and mortality. Based on clinical data published world-wide, UK blood safety guidance recommends the universal screening for HEV RNA of blood donors and donors of tissue, organs and stem cells.

Disseminated adenovirus infection after allogeneic stem cell transplant and the potential role of brincidofovir - Case series and 10 year experience of management in an adult transplant cohort.

Background: Adenovirus infection is a recognized complication following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We present a review of our experience of these infections in our transplant cohort over 10 years including 3 patients treated with the novel antiviral brincidofovir.

Objectives: We aimed to describe the presentation, response to treatment and outcomes of adult stem cell transplant patients with disseminated adenovirus infection.

Acute hepatitis E mimicking a flare of disease in a patient with chronic autoimmune hepatitis.

 Acute hepatitis E is becoming increasingly recognised in Europe with up to 40% of the population in Southern France being exposed to the virus, which is harboured in pigs. Patients with known liver disease may present with acute hepatitis E and present a diagnostic challenge. For example patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) who are immunosuppressed and contract hepatitis E may be at increased risk of developing chronicity due to concurrent immunosuppression.

Transmission of Hepatitis B Core Antibody and Galactomannan Enzyme Immunoassay Positivity via Immunoglobulin Products: A Comprehensive Analysis.

Background: Therapeutic immunoglobulins are used as replacement or immunomodulatory therapy, but can transmit clinically important molecules. We investigated hepatitis B virus (HBV) antibodies and galactomannan enzyme immunoassay (GM-EIA) positivity. Detection of HBV core antibody may prompt antiviral prophylaxis when commencing therapy such as rituximab; a positive GM-EIA result prompts investigation or treatment for invasive fungal disease.

Evaluation of sequencing of HCV core/E1, NS5A and NS5B as a genotype predictive tool in comparison with commercial assays targeting 5'UTR.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotyping is required for tailoring the dose and duration of antiviral therapy, predicting virological response rates, and selecting future treatment options.

Objective: To establish whether baseline genotypes, performed by INNO-LiPA Version 1.0 (v1.

Hepatitis delta virus testing, epidemiology and management: a multicentre cross-sectional study of patients in London.

Background: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) testing is recommended for all patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HDV infection is associated with severe liver disease and interferon is the only available treatment.

Objectives: To determine the rate of anti-HDV antibody testing in HBV patients; and to describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and management of HDV-infected patients at four hospitals in London.

Telaprevir or boceprevir based therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection: development of resistance-associated variants in treatment failure.

The use of triple-therapy, pegylated-interferon, ribavirin and either of the first generation hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitors telaprevir or boceprevir, is the new standard of care for treating genotype 1 chronic HCV. Clinical trials have shown response rates of around 70-80%, but there is limited data from the use of this combination outside this setting. Through an expanded access programme, we treated 59 patients, treatment naïve and experienced, with triple therapy.

Management of hepatitis B in pregnant women and infants: a multicentre audit from four London hospitals.

Background: Pregnant women with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can transmit the infection to their infants, screening of patients and appropriate interventions reduce vertical transmission. This audit was conducted to assess adherence to the national guidelines for management of HBV infection in pregnancy.

Methods: A retrospective audit was conducted on pregnant women diagnosed with hepatitis B on screening in antenatal clinics, across four hospitals in London over 2 years (2009-2010).

Comparison of automated chemiluminescence immunoassays with capture enzyme immunoassays for the detection of measles and mumps IgM antibodies in serum.

Outbreaks of measles and mumps occur regularly in the UK. Rapid diagnosis of acute infection is important for both infection control and epidemiological purposes. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of an automated platform (DiaSorin Liaison(®), Saluggia, Italy) with a manual capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA; Microimmune, Hounslow, UK) for the detection of measles and mumps IgM antibodies in serum from symptomatic individuals.

Herpetic neonatal pustular rash.

Pustular rash in a neonate is very common and is usually associated with staphylococcal infection. The present report describes the case of a 12-day-old neonate with a pustular rash, secondary to herpes simplex infection. A high index of suspicion is necessary in neonates presenting with suggestive signs, especially with negative bacterial cultures.