Pilot model of hepatitis C virus micro-elimination in high-risk populations in Hong Kong: Barriers and facilitators.

Background: Although the general seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Hong Kong is <0.5 %, Hong Kong is still striving for HCV elimination owing to barriers in care cascade encompassing linkage-to-care (LTC), treatment initiation and adherence. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a pilot model of micro-elimination to strengthen the HCV care cascade for high-risk groups in Hong Kong.

The Predictive Value of Gut Microbiota Composition for Sustained Immunogenicity following Two Doses of CoronaVac.

CoronaVac immunogenicity decreases with time, and we aimed to investigate whether gut microbiota associate with longer-term immunogenicity of CoronaVac. This was a prospective cohort study recruiting two-dose CoronaVac recipients from three centres in Hong Kong. We collected blood samples at baseline and day 180 after the first dose and used chemiluminescence immunoassay to test for neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of wild-type SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Association between Recent Usage of Antibiotics and Immunogenicity within Six Months after COVID-19 Vaccination.

Gut microbiota can be associated with COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity. We investigated whether recent antibiotic use influences BNT162b2 vaccine immunogenicity. BNT162b2 recipients from three centers were prospectively recruited.

Role of serum HBV RNA and hepatitis B surface antigen levels in identifying Asian patients with chronic hepatitis B suitable for entecavir cessation.

Background: Treatment cessation in chronic HBV infection may be durable in certain patient subgroups before hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance. The role of serum HBV RNA in determining treatment cessation suitability has not been well-investigated.

Methods: Nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) treatment was discontinued in non-cirrhotic patients with chronic HBV with serum HBsAg <200 IU/mL and fulfilling internationally recommended criteria for treatment cessation.

Entecavir Reduced Serum Hepatitis B Core-Related Antigen in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Serum hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) was shown to predict the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients undergoing treatment. We investigated the longitudinal profile of HBcrAg in entecavir (ETV)-treated CHB patients with subsequent HCC development. We identified HCC cases diagnosed at ≥1 year after ETV initiation.

A large real-world cohort study examining the effects of long-term entecavir on hepatocellular carcinoma and HBsAg seroclearance.

Real-world studies examining reduction in risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients receiving antivirals are limited by the small size of the studies, or by data insufficiency and heterogeneity with short follow-up duration. We aimed to examine the real-world long-term outcome of patients receiving entecavir treatment on HCC incidence and HBsAg seroclearance. The incidence of HCC in 1225 entecavir-treated patients between 2002 and 2015 was compared with the HCC incidence estimated using the REACH-B, GAG-HCC and CU-HCC scores.

Hepatitis B core-related antigen levels after HBeAg seroconversion is associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) is a novel serological marker for hepatitis B virus infection. Its clinical significance after HBeAg seroconversion has not been defined. We aimed to determine the relationship between HBcrAg levels after spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer level predicts hepatocellular carcinoma development in E-negative chronic hepatitis B patients.

Background: Liver cirrhosis is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) is a novel serological marker for fibrosis. The role of M2BPGi in prediction of HCC is unknown.

A Territorywide Prevalence Study on Blood-Borne and Enteric Viral Hepatitis in Hong Kong.

Background: Viral hepatitis epidemiological data are important for the World Health Organization plan of eliminating viral hepatitis. We aimed to document the prevalence of viral hepatitis A to E in Hong Kong.

Methods: This community-based study was open to all Hong Kong Chinese citizens aged ≥18 years.

Long-term outcomes and predictive scores for hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance after hepatitis B e-antigen seroclearance.

Unlabelled: The significance of hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) seroclearance (ESC) in the long term is not well defined. The current study aimed to determine the clinical outcomes, the factors and predictive scores for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance of a large cohort of patients undergoing ESC. Patients with documented ESC were followed up 3- to 6-monthly.

Infection-related hospitalizations in the first year after inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis.

Objective: With the rapid increase in the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Asia, the natural course of the early phase of disease in these patients remains poorly defined. This study aimed to determined the incidence and characteristics of infection-related hospitalization in the first year in patients newly diagnosed with IBD in Hong Kong SAR, China.

Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with IBD and enrolled in the territory-wide Hong Kong IBD Registry were identified.

Attitudes and perceptions of influenza vaccination among Hong Kong doctors and medical students before the 2009 pandemic.

Background: Vaccination is an important preventive measure for preparing against the influenza pandemics. This study investigated the attitudes and perceptions of influenza vaccination among doctors and medical students in Hong Kong.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 204 doctors and 242 medical students in a teaching hospital in 2009.