The Epidemiology of Hepatitis A, B, and C Jamie Berkes M.D. University of Illinois at Chicago jberkes@uic.edu Epidemiology: Definitions The study of the incidence and prevalence of diseases in large populations and the detection of the source and cause of epidemics of infectious disease. The study of the relationships between exposures such as nutrition, biological agents, stress, or chemicals to outcomes such as disease, wellness, and health indicators. Incidence: The number of new cases of a disease during a given time interval, usually one year. Prevalence: The total number of cases of a disease in the population at a given time. Virus: Definitions A microscopic particle that can infect the cells of biological organisms. Viruses can replicate themselves only by infecting a host cell. Consist of genetic material contained within a protective protein coat. Hepatotropic viruses: Predominantly infect the liver. Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. AKA; HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, and HEV. Incubation period: The time between exposure to an infection and when symptoms and signs first occur. Viral Hepatitis in the US Acute infections Acute liver failure deaths/year Chronic infections Chronic liver disease deaths/year HAV 93K 5 HBV 78K 1 1-1.51.5 million 5, HCV 8K Rare.8- million 8,-1, CDC estimates, 1. 1
REPORTED CASES OF SELECTED NOTIFIABLE DISEASES PREVENTABLE BY VACCINATION, UNITED STATES, 1 Geographic Distribution of Hepatitis A Virus Infection Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Pertussis Meningococcal disease H. influenzae, invasive Mumps Measles 1,69 7,83 7,58,333 1,597 66 116 Source: NNDSS, CDC Hepatitis A: Clinical Features Transmission: Fecal-oral, unsanitary conditions, contaminated food/water, rarely blood. Incubation: to 6 weeks (average 5 days). Infectivity: to 3 weeks. > 1 week prior to the onset of symptoms. Hepatitis A: Epidemiology Prevalence: > % in U.S. have had previous infection. ~ 1% in developing countries. Accounts for % of all cases of acute viral hepatitis. Groups at risk: Children/workers in day-care Homosexual men Residents and traveler in underdeveloped countries No risk factor identified for %-5% of cases.
Hepatitis A: Clinical Course Symptoms: Early: fever, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, anorexia. Late: right-upper abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice. Severity/Natural history: Age dependant. Jaundice by <6 yrs <1% age group: 6-1 yrs %-5% >1 yrs 7%-8% Recover is the rule: provides life long immunity from future infections. Never causes chronic disease. Rarely may lead to fulminant liver failure (<1:3). Rate per 1, Reported Cases of Hepatitis A, United States, 195-5 35 3 5 15 1 5 5 56 6 6 68 7 76 8 8 88 9 96 Year Source: NNDSS, CDC Hepatitis A: Treatment Prevention, prevention, prevention. No effective treatment exists: Supportive care. Fulminant Liver Failure: Liver transplantation. Immune globulin, (IG): For unvaccinated persons, who have recently been exposed to HAV. Must be given within two weeks of exposure to HAV in order to work. Hepatitis A: Prevention Wash hands after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, or before preparing or eating food. Hepatitis A vaccines: Provide long-term protection against hepatitis A. High-risk persons (IV drug users, homosexual men, travelers to endemic areas). Chronic liver disease. Transplant recipients. Success rate: >95%. 3
Geographic Distribution of Hepatitis B Virus Infection HBsAg Prevalence 8% - High -7% - Intermediate <% - Low Hepatitis B: Epidemiology 3% of acute viral hepatitis and 15% of chronic viral hepatitis in the US Globally 35 million persons infected 75% in Asia >5, deaths per year United States 1.5 million persons infected (.3%) 5-15% of Asian Americans -5, deaths per year Modes of Transmission Hepatitis B: Clinical Features Blood transfusion Sexual contact Hemodialysis Incubation period: Average 6-9 days Range 5-18 days Clinical illness <5 yrs, <1% (jaundice): >5 yrs, 3%-5% Unknown Hepatitis B Injection drug use Acute case-fatality rate:.5%-1% Chronic infection: <5 yrs, 3%-9% >5 yrs, %-1% Household contact Occupational exposure Mother-toinfant Premature mortality from chronic liver disease: 15%-5%
Clinical Features & Natural History 95% clear infection and develop lifelong immunity (HBsAg negative, IgG HBc Ab positive). 5% HBsAg positive for > 6 month = chronic infection Chronicity: : 9% in neonates, 5-5% 5% of children <6 years old Inactive carrier state (low viral level, normal LFT s s and biopsy) Chronic active hepatitis (elevated LFT s,, necrosis and inflammation on liver biopsy) Hepatitis B Prevention and Vaccination Prevent perinatal HBV transmission Vaccination is routine for infants Ages 11-15 catch up, and through age 18 Over 18 high risk groups: Occupational risk (Health care workers) Hemodyalisis patients All STD clinic clients Multiple sex partners or prior STD Inmates in Correctional settings MSM IDU Household contacts/sex partners of persons with chronic HBV. Post-vaccination testing: 1- months after last shot, if establishing response is critical (HCW). Geographic Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Hepatitis C (HCV) Hepatitis C is a hepatotropic viral that causes chronic inflammation of the liver. Parenteral transmission. % of persons infected with HCV develop cirrhosis over a -5 year period. Acute and chronic infection is typically asymptomatic until overt liver failure develops (AKA the silent killer ) HCV has replaced alcoholic liver disease as the leading indication for liver transplantation in the US. 5
Modes of Transmission Prevalence by Risk Factors Blood transfusion prior to 199 Organ and tissue transplantation Noscomial Sexual contact Hepatitis C Occupational exposure Tattoos, body piercing Mother-toinfant Intranasal drug use Injection drug use Percent US population 6 5 3 1 58% 3.5%.7% IDU Non-IDU No drugs Prevalence of HCV NIH Consensus Development Conference Statement.. Sexual Transmission Hepatitis C: Clinical Features Percent US population 1 1 8 6-1 to 9 1 to 9 > 5 # Lifetime Sexual Partners Incubation: to weeks Symptoms 75% asymptomatic, jaundice uncommon Fatigue, right upper quadrant abdominal pain most common symptoms Chronic infection occurs in 6-85 85% 3% have normal liver enzymes silent killer 6
NHANES III (Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) HCV seropositivity: (1.8%) 3.9 million (3.1-.8) HCV viremia: (.96%).7 million (.-3.) Highest observed prevalence: (9.8%) black men to 9 years old. Incidence: 8, new infections annually Mortality: 8-1, deaths annually Anti-HCV positive (%).5 3.5 3.5 1.5 1.5 Age Specific Prevalence NHANES III 1988-199 6-11 1-19 -9 3-39 -9 5-59 6-69 7-79 8+ Age (Years) Alter MJ, et. al. N Engl J Med 1999 Alter MJ, et. al. N Engl J Med 1999 Prevalence (%) 7. 6. 5.. 3.. 1.. HCV Prevalence by Age & Ethnicity Caucasian Mexican Black.7... 1.6 1.8 3..9 6.1.7.9. < -9 3-9 >9 Age Group Alter MJ, et. al. N Engl J Med 1999 P e r c e n t A n ti-h C V P o sitiv e 1 9 8 7 6 5 3 1 Prevalence of HCV Infection by Age, Ethnicity, and Gender, 1988-199 6-11 1-19 -9 3-39 -9 5-59 6-69 7+ Source: NHANES III Age in Years Black females Black males White males White females 7
Estimated Incidence of Acute Hepatitis C United States, 198- Cases per 1, 18 16 1 1 1 8 6 8 83 8 85 86 87 88 Surrogate testing of blood donors Decline among transfusion recipients 89 9 91 9 93 9 95 Anti-HCV test (1 st generation) licensed Anti-HCV test ( nd generation) licensed Decline among injection drug users Natural History of HCV Infection Resolve (15) Stable (68) Stable (13) 15% 8% 75% 1 People 85% Chronic (85) % Cirrhosis (17) 5% Mortality () Time Source: Sentinel Counties 96 97 98 99 Leading Indication for Liver Transplant 5 Hepatitis C : Clinical Course Progression Depends on Histologic Activity 1 Percent 3 1 < 3 > 5 Predictors Age > > 5 g ETOH Male Fatty liver HIV HBV Cirrhosis (%) 5 Severe Inflammation Moderate Inflammation Mild Inflammation Time to Cirrhosis (years) 5 1 15 Poynard, Lancet 1997;39:85-83 Years Yano, Hepatology 1996;3:133-13 8
Hepatitis C: Indications for Testing Transfusion prior to 199 Hemodialysis Multiple sexual partners Spouses/partners Injection drug use Intranasal cocaine use Hepatitis C : Prevention No vaccine available Screening and testing donors of blood, organs, and tissues Risk-reduction counseling and services Latex condoms if multiple partners Avoid sharing toothbrushes, razors, combs Cover open wounds Infection control practices Blood and body fluid precautions NIH Consensus Statement, 1997 9