High prevalence of hepatitis markers in immigrant populations: a prospective screening approach in a real-world setting.

Background: Immigrant populations are believed to be more frequently infected with hepatitis viruses. However, limited unbiased data are available on immigrants outside of academic centres. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform large-scale screening for hepatitis markers in primary care centres treating mainly individuals with a migrational background in Germany.

How to interpret borderline HCV antibody test results: a comparative study investigating four different anti-HCV assays.

Anti-HCV testing is the first step to diagnose hepatitis C. Although anti-HCV assay performance improved during the last 2 decades, very high sensitivity required for screening may lead to limitations in specificity. Thus, there remains an uncertainty how to interpret anti-HCV test results with a borderline signal-to-cut-off ratio.

Increased HEV seroprevalence in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection takes a clinically silent, self-limited course in the far majority of cases. Chronic hepatitis E has been reported in some cohorts of immunocompromised individuals. The role of HEV infections in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is unknown.

HBeAg-positive hepatitis delta: virological patterns and clinical long-term outcome.

Background And Aims: The presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-eAg in patients with hepatitis B is associated with higher HBV replication and with an increased risk to develop liver-related clinical endpoints defined as liver related death, liver transplantation, development of hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic decompensation. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of HBeAg in patients co-infected with the hepatitis D virus (HDV).

Methods: We studied virological markers of HBV and HDV infection and as well as biochemical and clinical features of liver disease in a cohort of 534 anti-HDV-positive patients.

Absence of chronic hepatitis E in a German cohort of common variable immunodeficiency patients.

Cases of chronic or prolonged hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections have been described in solid organ transplant recipients, HIV infected patients and in patients with malignancies or idiopathic CD4(+) T lymphopenia. It is unknown if HEV infection also takes chronic courses in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). We studied a cohort of 73 CVID patients recruited in a low endemic Central European country.

HCV core antigen testing in HIV- and HBV-coinfected patients, and in HCV-infected patients on hemodialysis.

Background: A quantitative HCV core antigen (HCVcoreAg) immunoassay has been developed for the confirmation of viremia in patients with hepatitis C.

Objectives: We evaluated the correlation of HCV RNA and HCVcoreAg in different patient populations without HCV-specific treatment: HIV/HCV-coinfection, HBV/HCV-coinfection, and patients with end-stage renal disease.

Study Design: HCVcoreAg was quantified by a fully-automated immunoassay.

Different kinetics of HBV and HCV during haemodialysis and absence of seronegative viral hepatitis in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are common in haemodialysis units. Moreover, some studies reported seronegative cases of viral hepatitis. We and others have previously shown an HCV RNA decline during haemodialysis; however, limited data on HBV viraemia during haemodialysis are available.

Correlation between the Elecsys HBsAg II assay and the Architect assay for the quantification of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the serum.

Background: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance during chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is associated with improved long-term clinical outcome, so is considered an important therapeutic goal in CHB. Studies have shown that serum HBsAg quantification during, and at end of, treatment may predict long-term HBsAg loss.

Objectives: Performance comparison of the qualitative Elecsys HBsAg II assay using a quantitative research protocol and an established quantitative HBsAg assay.

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels in the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infection: a European perspective.

Background & Aims: The quantifiable level of HBsAg has been suggested as a predictor of treatment response in chronic hepatitis B. However, there is limited information on HBsAg levels considering the dynamic natural course of HBV-infection. This study aimed to determine HBsAg levels in the different phases of HBV-infection in European HBsAg-positive patients.

Hepatitis E virus infection as a cause of graft hepatitis in liver transplant recipients.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection induces self-limiting liver disease in immunocompetent individuals. Cases of chronic hepatitis E have recently been identified in organ transplant recipients. We questioned if chronic hepatitis E plays a role in graft hepatitis after liver transplantation in a low endemic area.

Performance and clinical utility of a novel fully automated quantitative HCV-core antigen assay.

Background: Recently, a novel quantitative HCVcoreAg immunoassay developed for commercialisation by Abbott has become available in Europe and Asia.

Objectives: We evaluated the correlation of HCV-RNA and HCVcoreAg and investigated the stability of HCVcoreAg and HCV-RNA.

Study Design: HCVcoreAg was quantified by a novel fully automated immunoassay (Architect HCVAg, Abbott, Germany).