Avian anti-HBV immunoglobulin: New tool to improve hepatitis B diagnosis methods.

Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) could be used in serological diagnosis focused on several infectious agents. This study aims to produce IgY anti-hepatitis B virus surface antigen (anti-HBs) and to assess its use in enzyme immunoassays. Antibodies were produced by immunizing chickens with Hepatitis B vaccine associated (group A), or not, with adjuvant CpG-ODN (group B).

Feasibility of dried blood spot for hepatitis C diagnosis in vulnerable subjects and people living in remote areas from Brazil.

Background: Agile, accessible and cheap diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is essential to achieve the elimination of this infection, worldwide, as mandated by the World Health Organzation as part of its strategy for 2030. Dried blood spots (DBS) can be an attractive alternative for sample collection among people living in remote areas and vulnerable populations due to the less invasive collection, its biosafety, and storage & transportation of samples at room temperature.

Design: This study aims to estimate the usefulness of dried blood spot samples for the diagnosis and the assessment of HCV infection rates in three different settings in Brazil.

Dried blood spot sampling as an alternative for the improvement of hepatitis B and C diagnosis in key populations.

Background: To achieve the elimination of hepatitis B and C, there is an urgent need to develop alternative strategies to increase the access of diagnosis, particularly among key populations such as people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), individuals with coagulopathies and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Aim: To evaluate the use of dried blood spot (DBS) in the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers.

Methods: A total of 430 individuals comprised of people living with HIV, coagulopathies and CKD provided paired serum and DBS samples.

Evaluation of accuracy of hepatitis B virus antigen and antibody detection and relationship between epidemiological factors using dried blood spot.

Dried blood spots (DBS) testing might increase the access for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) diagnosis, but little is known about the performance of these assays in real life conditions. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs detection in DBS in clinical settings and field studies and to evaluate demographic and risk behaviour according the presence of HBsAg and anti-HBc. Paired sera and DBS samples were obtained from 2309 individuals from 3 groups, defined as follows: G1: clinical setting (n = 5-19), G2: general population (n = 1305) and G3: vulnerable individuals that could be more exposed to blood contact (n = 485).

Usefulness of automated assays for detecting hepatitis B and C markers in dried blood spot samples.

Objective: Dried blood spots (DBSs) can be used as an alternative to serum samples because they are easily collected and can be transported without refrigeration to reference laboratories for diagnosis. The present study was performed to evaluate the utility of electrochemiluminescence immunoassay "ECLIA" for anti-HCV, HBsAg and anti-HBc detection from DBS samples.

Results: Anti-HCV was detected in 103 DBS samples from 108 paired, positive serum and undetected in 364 DBS samples from 366 paired, negative specimens, giving a sensitivity of 95.

Utility of oral fluid samples for hepatitis B antibody detection in real life conditions.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) testing in oral fluid samples may provide advantages in diagnosis, screening or prevalence studies, especially among individuals with venous access difficulties. This study aims to optimize one commercially available assay for detecting total anti-HBc marker in oral fluid samples and to evaluate its utility under real life conditions in different settings for the purposes of prevalence and diagnostic studies.

Methods: Oral fluid was collected using a Salivette device and some parameters were initially evaluated: type of elution buffer and sample volume.

Applicability of Oral Fluid and Dried Blood Spot for Hepatitis B Virus Diagnosis.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease worldwide; however most of individuals are not aware about the infection. Oral fluid and dried blood spot (DBS) samples may be an alternative to serum to HBV diagnosis to increase the access to diagnosis in remote areas or high-risk groups. The main objective of this review is to give an insight about the usefulness of oral fluid and DBS for detecting HBV markers.

Cross-sectional study to determine viral hepatitis knowledge in different urban populations in Brazil.

Aim: To evaluate viral hepatitis knowledge among individuals from different resource areas and health conditions to identify possible gaps.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out among 447 individuals from five distinct populations in Brazil: Southeast Viral Hepatitis Ambulatory ( = 100), South ( = 89) and Northeast ( = 114) Health Center, Southeast ( = 77) and Northeast ( = 67) low resource areas. All individuals answered a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics and viral hepatitis awareness.

Determination of hepatitis B, C and D prevalence among urban and Amerindian populations from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon: a cross sectional study.

Background: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HDV in urban populations and Amerindians living in the state of Tocantins (Eastern Amazon).

Methods: A total of 948 individuals were recruited in Tocantinopolis city (Tocantins state) of whom 603 were Amerindians (from 6 tribes) and 345 were non-Amerindians (6 urban areas of Tocantinópolis city). Anti-HCV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HBe, HBeAg, and anti-delta antibodies were determined using enzyme immunoassay.

Assessing hepatitis B immunity using dried blood spot samples from HIV+ individuals.

This study aims to evaluate the utility of an optimized enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to detect and quantify antibodies against hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) in dried blood spots (DBSs) within the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. Serum and DBS samples were obtained from 56 HIV+ and 99 HIV- patients and subjected to EIA for the detection of anti-HBs, where sample volume and cut off value were modified for DBS testing. Sensitivities of anti-HBs detection in DBS were 79.

Comparison of the performance of enzyme immunoassays for hepatitis B and C detection in dried blood spot.

Dried blood spots (DBSs) could be an alternative to serum for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate two enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for HBsAg and anti-HCV detection using DBS. Serum was tested using commercial EIA.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Viral Hepatitis Perception among Residents from Southeast and North Regions of Brazil.

Few data are available regarding viral hepatitis perception among the general global population. The present study aims to estimate the perception of viral hepatitis in a cohort of individuals living in two geographical regions of Brazil: North (Manaus city (MA)) and Southeast (Rio de Janeiro city (RJ)). A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out among 287 subjects recruited in MA (134) and RJ (153).

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C virus infection among alcoholic individuals: importance of screening and vaccination.

Drug users have been reported to have an increased risk for acquisition of viral hepatitis. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection and usefulness of saliva for HBsAg and anti-HCV detection in alcoholic patients.A total of 90 alcoholic patients were recruited in 2013.

Evaluation of HBsAg and anti-HBc assays in saliva and dried blood spot samples according HIV status.

Influence of HIV status in HBV markers detection in saliva and dried blood spots (DBS) was not well established. This study aims to evaluate the performance of optimized commercial immunoassay for identifying HBsAg and anti-HBc in saliva and DBS according HIV status. A sum of 535 individuals grouped as HIV, HBV, HIV/HBV and HIV/HBV- were recruited where 347 and 188 were included for HBsAg and anti-HBc evaluation, respectively.

Performance of ANTI-HCV testing in dried blood spots and saliva according to HIV status.

The use of saliva and dried blood spots (DBS) could increase access to HCV diagnosis for high-risk populations, such as HIV-infected individuals, but the performance of these assays has not been well established in this group. This study aims to evaluate HIV status, particularly TCD4 cell count and viral load, in the performance of anti-HCV testing using DBS and saliva. A total of 961 individuals classified as HCV+, HIV+, or HIV/HCV+, as well as negative controls, donated serum, DBS, and saliva samples for anti-HCV testing using a commercial enzyme immunoassay.

Poor sensitivity of rapid tests for the detection of antibodies to the hepatitis B virus: implications for field studies.

Rapid tests (RTs) can be used as an alternative method for the conventional diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV). This study aims to evaluate antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and antibodies to HBeAg (anti-HBe) RTs under different Brazilian settings. The following three groups were included: GI: viral hepatitis outpatient services; GII: low resource areas; and GIII: crack users and beauticians.

A Cross Section Study to Determine the Prevalence of Antibodies against HIV Infection among Hepatitis B and C Infected Individuals.

(1) BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence among hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected individuals. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among HIV individuals; (2) METHODS: A total of 409 patients (126 HBV+ and 283 HCV+) referred to the Brazilian Reference Laboratory for Viral Hepatitis from 2010 to 2013 donated serum samples. Anti-HIV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HBcIgM, anti-HBe, HBeAg, and anti-HCV antibodies were measured, and anti-HCV positive samples were tested for viral RNA and genotype; (3) RESULTS: The anti-HIV antibody prevalence was 10.

Evaluating HBsAg rapid test performance for different biological samples from low and high infection rate settings & populations.

Background: Rapid tests (RTs) might have several advantages over standard laboratory procedures, increasing access to diagnosis, especially among vulnerable populations and/or those living in remote areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of RTs for the detection of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in samples from different populations/settings.

Methods: Three RTs for HBsAg detection (Vikia® HBsAg, HBsAg Teste Rápido®, and Imuno-Rápido HBsAg®) and different biological specimens (serum, whole blood, and saliva) were evaluated.

Update on hepatitis B and C virus diagnosis.

Viral hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) are responsible for the most of chronic liver disease worldwide and are transmitted by parenteral route, sexual and vertical transmission. One important measure to reduce the burden of these infections is the diagnosis of acute and chronic cases of HBV and HCV. In order to provide an effective diagnosis and monitoring of antiviral treatment, it is important to choose sensitive, rapid, inexpensive, and robust analytical methods.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among military personnel.

Background: Data regarding Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) prevalence among military personnel in Brazil are lacking, but the work-related risk of exposure can be high. The objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV and the risk factors associated to HBV exposure among Brazilian military personnel.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and included 433 male military adults aged 18-25 years old working in Rio de Janeiro during October 2013.

Performance of rapid hepatitis C virus antibody assays among high- and low-risk populations.

Background: Rapid tests for the detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) can facilitate access to diagnosis.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of rapid tests for anti-HCV detection in the sera, whole blood, and oral fluid samples from individuals with different endemicity profiles and risk behaviors.

Study Design: Three groups donated biological samples that were tested using three anti-HCV rapid tests (WAMA, Bioeasy and OraSure): (I) suspected cases of hepatitis C, (II) individuals who were living in remote areas in Brazil and (III) crack users and beauty professionals.

Importance of collection methods and stability of oral fluid samples for hepatitis B surface antigen detection.

Background: Oral fluid (OF) sample collection and stability for HBsAg detection are not fully established. This study aims to investigate the applicability of OF collectors and sample stability for Hepatitis B virus surface antigen detection.

Methods: Paired serum and OF samples were obtained from 191 individuals, and Chembio (Chembio Diagnostic System, USA) and Salivette (Sarstedt, Germany) devices were used for OF collection.

Assessment of dried blood spot samples as a simple method for detection of hepatitis B virus markers.

Detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological markers in dried blood spot (DBS) samples by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) has not yet been fully optimized. In this study, the ability to detect three HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs) was evaluated in DBS samples using a modified commercial ELISA. Matched serum and DBS samples were obtained from individuals with or without a past history of HBV infection.