Hepatitis: Van Ranst M

Robaeys G, Buntinx F, Bottieau E, Bourgeois S, Brenard R, Colle I, De Bie J, Matheï C, Mulkay JP, Van Damme P, Van Ranst M, Verrando R, Michielsen P, Bourgeois N, Brenard R, de Galocsy Ch, Delwaide J, Henrion J, Horsmans Y, Michielsen P, Reynaert H, Robaeys G, Sprengers D, Anonymous00401. · Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg, Genk, Schiepse Bos, 6, B-3600 Genk, Belgium. · Acta Gastroenterol Belg. · Pubmed #15832586 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Jacobs JA, Van Ranst M. · Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Central Laboratory of Clinical Biology, Antwerp, Belgium. · J Travel Med. · Pubmed #19006507 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Biometric fingerprint identity verification is currently introduced in visa application and entry screening at border control. The system implies physical contact between the skin and the surface of the fingerprint-capturing and reading devices. AIM: To assess the risk of infection transmission through fingerprinting. METHODS: The medical literature was reviewed for the potential of microorganisms to be carried on the skin of hands in the community, to be transferred from hands to inanimate surfaces, to survive on surfaces, and to be transferred in doses exceeding the infectious dose. The fingerprinting procedures as currently applied were reviewed. RESULTS: Factors that favor transfer of microorganisms are large skin-surface contact between flat fingers (2 x 20 cm(2)) and fingerprint-capturing device, nonporous contact surface, large overlap of contact surface and short turnaround time between successive applicants, high contact pressure, and difficulties to disinfect devices. Transmission risk exists for enteric viruses (rotavirus, norovirus, and hepatitis A virus), respiratory viruses (respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, influenza virus, etc.), and enteropathogenic bacteria with low infectious doses (Shigella dysenteriae, Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, etc.). Using Monte Carlo risk analysis on US data, transmission of human rotavirus is estimated at 191 [95% credible intervals (CI) 0-289] per million fingerprint-capturing procedures. Application of 70% isopropyl hand rub and 85% ethanol hand gel reduces the risk to 77 (95% CI 0-118) and 0.3 (95% CI 0-0.3) transmissions per million procedures, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The fingerprinting procedure as currently used is associated with a risk of infection transmission. Simple hygienic measures can considerably reduce this transmission risk.

Matheï C, Robaeys G, Van Ranst M, Van Damme P, Buntinx F. · Department of General Practice, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. · Acta Gastroenterol Belg. · Pubmed #15832588 No free full text.

Abstract: In industrialised countries, injecting drug use is currently the most important risk factor for infection with hepatitis C, resulting in high prevalence rates of hepatitis C among injecting drug users. To contain the hepatitis C epidemic major efforts should be done to prevent new infection among injecting drug users. Monitoring infection rates are crucial as it may provide feedback on the effectiveness of interventions. In this article the epidemiology of hepatitis C among injecting drug users in Belgium is briefly reviewed. More specifically the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies, the prevalence of co-infections, the proportion of chronic HCV carriers, the distribution of genotypes and preventive measures among injecting drug users in Belgium are discussed and compared to the situation elsewhere in Western Europe.

Alcantara LC, Cassol S, Libin P, Deforche K, Pybus OG, Van Ranst M, Galvão-Castro B, Vandamme AM, de Oliveira T. · Laboratório Avançado de Saúde Publica, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil. · Nucleic Acids Res. · Pubmed #19483099 links to  free full text

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), hepatitis B and C and other rapidly evolving viruses are characterized by extremely high levels of genetic diversity. To facilitate diagnosis and the development of prevention and treatment strategies that efficiently target the diversity of these viruses, and other pathogens such as human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1), human herpes virus type-8 (HHV8) and human papillomavirus (HPV), we developed a rapid high-throughput-genotyping system. The method involves the alignment of a query sequence with a carefully selected set of pre-defined reference strains, followed by phylogenetic analysis of multiple overlapping segments of the alignment using a sliding window. Each segment of the query sequence is assigned the genotype and sub-genotype of the reference strain with the highest bootstrap (>70%) and bootscanning (>90%) scores. Results from all windows are combined and displayed graphically using color-coded genotypes. The new Virus-Genotyping Tools provide accurate classification of recombinant and non-recombinant viruses and are currently being assessed for their diagnostic utility. They have incorporated into several HIV drug resistance algorithms including the Stanford (http://hivdb.stanford.edu) and two European databases (http://www.umcutrecht.nl/subsite/spread-programme/ and http://www.hivrdb.org.uk/) and have been successfully used to genotype a large number of sequences in these and other databases. The tools are a PHP/JAVA web application and are freely accessible on a number of servers including: http://bioafrica.mrc.ac.za/rega-genotype/html/, http://lasp.cpqgm.fiocruz.br/virus-genotype/html/, http://jose.med.kuleuven.be/genotypetool/html/.

Robaeys G, Nevens F, Stärkel P, Colle I, Van Eyken P, Bruckers L, Van Ranst M, Buntinx F. · ZOL Campus St.-Jan, Genk, Belgium. · Transplant Proc. · Pubmed #19328933 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: End-stage liver disease due to hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection is the most common reason for liver transplantation. One of the major risk factors for infection with HCV is intravenous drug use (IVDU). The pretransplantation characteristics and outcome of liver transplantation in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infected after IVDU are poorly known. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in patients with CHC who underwent liver transplantation between 1998 and 2002 in Belgium. Seven patients with and 60 patients without a history of IVDU were compared. RESULTS: Patients with CHC infected after IVDU were primarily men, significantly younger, and affected more by genotype 2 or 3. There was no relapse in substance use. No patients required a second transplantation or developed surgical complications. Progression to fibrosis in the posttransplantation period seemed to be slower. Graft and patient survival, and compliance were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with patients in the non-IVDU group, patients with CHC infected after IVDU in complete remission have the same compliance, and patient and graft survival after liver transplantation. Therefore, patients with IVDU should not be excluded for liver transplantation because of HCV-induced cirrhosis.

Ross RS, Verbeeck J, Viazov S, Lemey P, Van Ranst M, Roggendorf M. · Institute of Virology, National Reference Centre for HCV, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. · Evol Bioinform Online. · Pubmed #19204822 links to  free full text

Abstract: The genome of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) exhibits a high genetic variability. This remarkable heterogeneity is mainly attributed to the gradual accumulation of mutational changes, whereas the contribution of recombination events to the evolution of HCV remains controversial so far. While performing phylogenetic analyses including a large number of sequences deposited in the GenBank, we encountered a full-length HCV sequence (AY651061) that showed evidence for inter-subtype recombination and was, therefore, subjected to a detailed analysis of its molecular structure. The obtained results indicated that AY651061 does not represent a "simple" HCV 1c isolate, but a complex 1a/1c mosaic genome, showing five putative breakpoints in the core to NS3 regions. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a mosaic HCV full-length sequence with multiple breakpoints. The molecular structure of AY651061 is reminiscent of complex homologous recombinant variants occurring among other members of the flaviviridae family, e.g. GB virus C, dengue virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus. Our finding of a mosaic HCV sequence may have important implications for many fields of current HCV research which merit careful consideration.

Robesyn E, De Schrijver K, Wollants E, Top G, Verbeeck J, Van Ranst M. · Department of Public Health Surveillance, Flemish Agency for Care and Health, Belgium. · J Clin Virol. · Pubmed #19179106 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In July 2004, a sharp increase of hepatitis A, a notifiable disease in Belgium, was detected. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the outbreak in order to identify the source and take appropriate action. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted an outbreak investigation which included a matched case-control study to analyse the association with a range of food items and food providers. A phylogenetic analysis was used to study the relation between the outbreak cases and the identified source. RESULTS: We registered 269 cases of hepatitis A. Consumption of raw beef (OR 16.0; 95% CI 2.1-120.7) was the most probable way of infection. A food handler working at an epidemiologically linked meat distribution plant had contracted hepatitis A 1 month before the start of the outbreak. HAV strains from the food handler and the patients involved in the outbreak were monophyletically related. CONCLUSIONS: Since serological immunity in Belgium is decreasing over time, foodborne outbreaks of hepatitis A are a substantial risk. In this outbreak, a single food handler, at the level of the distribution chain, has been identified as the most likely source, through cross-contamination of raw beef. This outbreak investigation suggests the need to consider vaccination against hepatitis A in food handlers.

Vermeersch P, Van Ranst M, Lagrou K. · Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. · J Clin Virol. · Pubmed #18448386 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines require confirmation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening-test-positive sera with a low signal/cut-off (S/CO) ratio by recombinant immunoblot or PCR. The UK Health Protection Agency has suggested that a second enzyme immunoassay (EIA) could be used as an alternative for confirmation in non-immunocompromised patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the UK HPA approach in 17,936 consecutive in-house sera submitted for HCV testing. STUDY DESIGN: AxSYM-positive sera (S/CO> or =1.0) were tested with Monolisa Plus. AxSYM-positive sera of patients that were confirmed PCR-positive were considered HCV+. All other AxSYM-positive sera were confirmed with immunoblot according to CDC guidelines. RESULTS: 17,299 sera were negative with AxSYM. Of the 637 AxSYM-positive sera, 384 were from patients confirmed as PCR-positive. Of other 250 sera, 120 were negative with immunoblot, 103 were positive and 30 were indeterminate. All 30 immunoblot-indeterminate sera were PCR-negative. Two patients were Monolisa Plus+ and immunoblot- and PCR-. One patient was known as immunoblot-, while the other patient was diagnosed with non-A non-B hepatitis in 1980s. Nine sera from HCV-positive patients were Monolisa Plus-. Two PCR- sera were from immunocompetent patients who were PCR- for > or =8 years and six PCR- sera and one PCR+ serum were from immunocompromised patients. Sensitivity and specificity of confirmation with Monolisa Plus were 98.15% and 98.33% and the positive and negative predictive values were 99.58% and 92.91% in AxSYM-positive sera (excluding immunoblot-indeterminate/PCR-negative sera). If immunocompromised patients that were false-negative were excluded, sensitivity was 99.58%. CONCLUSION: Monolisa Plus can be used as an alternative to immunoblot for the confirmation of AxSYM-positive sera.

Verbeeck J, Stanley MJ, Shieh J, Celis L, Huyck E, Wollants E, Morimoto J, Farrior A, Sablon E, Jankowski-Hennig M, Schaper C, Johnson P, Van Ranst M, Van Brussel M. · Laboratory of Clinical & Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium. · J Clin Microbiol. · Pubmed #18400913 links to  free full text

Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotyping is a tool used to optimize antiviral treatment regimens. The newly developed Versant HCV genotype assay (LiPA) 2.0 uses sequence information from both the 5' untranslated region and the core region, allowing distinction between HCV genotype 1 and subtypes c to l of genotype 6 and between subtypes a and b of genotype 1. HCV-positive samples were genotyped manually using the Versant HCV genotype assay (LiPA) 2.0 system according to the manufacturer's instructions. For the comparison study, Versant HCV genotype assay (LiPA) 1.0 was used. In this study, 99.7% of the samples could be amplified, the genotype of 96.0% of samples could be determined, and the agreement with the reference method was 99.4% when a genotype was determined. The reproducibility study showed no significant differences in performance across sites (P = 0.43) or across lots (P = 0.88). In the comparison study, 13 samples that were uninterpretable or incorrectly genotyped with Versant HCV genotype assay (LiPA) 1.0 were correctly genotyped by Versant HCV genotype assay (LiPA) 2.0. Versant HCV genotype assay (LiPA) 2.0 is a sensitive, accurate, and reliable assay for HCV genotyping. The inclusion of the core region probes in Versant HCV genotype assay (LiPA) 2.0 results in a genotyping success rate higher than that of the current Versant HCV genotype assay (LiPA) 1.0.

Verbeeck J, Peigue-Lafeuille H, Ross RS, Abergel A, Nevens F, Van der Merwe S, Van Ranst M, Henquell C. · Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. · J Clin Virol. · Pubmed #18069057 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Robaeys G, De Bie J, Wichers MC, Bruckers L, Nevens F, Michielsen P, Van Ranst M, Buntinx F. · Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Schiepse Bos 6, B 3600 Genk, Belgium. · World J Gastroenterol. · Pubmed #17963300 links to  free full text

Abstract: AIM: To study the predictive value of the vegetative-depressive symptoms of the Zung Depression Rating Scale for the occurrence of depression during treatment with peg-interferon alpha-2b of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. METHODS: The predictive value of vegetative-depressive symptoms at 4 wk of treatment for the occurrence of a subsequent diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) was studied in CHC patients infected after substance use in a prospective, multi-center treatment trial in Belgium. The presence of vegetative-depressive symptoms was assessed using the Zung Scale before and 4 wk after the start of antiviral treatment. RESULTS: Out of 49 eligible patients, 19 (39%) developed MDD. The area under the ROC curve of the vegetative Zung subscale was 0.73, P = 0.004. The sensitivity at a cut-point of > 15/35 was 95% (95% CI: 74-100). The positive predictive value equalled 44% (95% CI: 29-60). CONCLUSION: In this group of Belgian CHC patients infected after substance use, antiviral treatment caused a considerable risk of depression. Seven vegetative-depressive symptoms of the Zung scale at wk 4 of treatment predicted 95% of all emerging depressions, at a price of 56% false positive test results.

Robaeys G, De Bie J, Van Ranst M, Buntinx F. · Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Schiepse Bos 6, B 3600 Genk, Belgium. · World J Gastroenterol. · Pubmed #17511042 links to  free full text

Abstract: During treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients with interferon and ribavirin, a lot of side effects are described. Twenty-three percent to 44% of patients develop depression. A minority of patients evolve to psychosis. To the best of our knowledge, no cases of psychogenic parasitosis occurring during interferon therapy have been described in the literature. We present a 49-year-old woman who developed a delusional parasitosis during treatment with pegylated interferon alpha-2b weekly and ribavirin. She complained of seeing parasites and the larvae of fleas in her stools. This could not be confirmed by any technical examination. All the complaints disappeared after stopping pegylated interferon alpha-2b and reappeared after restarting it. She had a complete sustained viral response.

Verbeeck J, Maes P, Lemey P, Pybus OG, Wollants E, Song E, Nevens F, Fevery J, Delport W, Van der Merwe S, Van Ranst M. · Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium. · J Virol. · Pubmed #16611881 links to  free full text

Abstract: Epidemiological and phylogenetic studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have identified six major HCV genotypes and have attempted to characterize their origin and spread worldwide. Putative regions of endemic infection have been identified for all HCV genotypes except HCV genotype 5a. Although HCV genotype 5a was previously thought to be largely restricted to the northern part of South Africa, this study reports an unexpected cluster of the genotype in West Flanders Province in Belgium. To investigate the molecular epidemiology of this cluster and of HCV genotype 5a in general, a rigorous phylogenetic analysis of Belgian and South African HCV genotype 5a samples was performed. Remarkably, the Belgian and South African strains form two distinct clusters of similar diversity. We used a Bayesian coalescent method to estimate the rate of virus spread through time for HCV genotype 5a in both regions. Our results indicate that HCV genotype 5a strains have been spreading independently in Belgium and South Africa for more than 100 years, with a rate of spread characteristic of an epidemic genotype. These findings have major implications for tracing the origin of HCV genotype 5a. Here, we speculate about the possible origins of these clusters.

Robaeys G, Van Vlierberghe H, Matheï C, Van Ranst M, Bruckers L, Buntinx F, Anonymous00138, Anonymous00139. · Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg, Genk, Belgium. · Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. · Pubmed #16394797 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: There is some reluctance to treat intravenous drug users (IVDUs) with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) because of presumed lower compliance and response to antiviral therapy. We intended to evaluate the compliance and response to antiviral treatment for CHC in IVDUs compared with non-IVDUs. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study--secondary analysis of the results of a treatment trial--was performed in Belgium and The Netherlands. A total of 406 previously untreated CHC patients, including 98 (24%) IVDUs, were studied for compliance (presentation at the end of treatment), complete response (alanine aminotransferase within normal limits and serum hepatitis C virus polymerase chain reaction negative) at the end of therapy and sustained virological response (SVR). RESULTS: Non-compliance (8.2%) in IVDUs was not different from non-IVDUs (6.8%) (relative risk=1.20; 95% confidence interval=0.55-2.62). Complete response after controlling for hepatitis C virus was similar (relative risk=1.19; 95% confidence interval=0.89-1.60). Controlling for treatment arm, age, sex, presence of cirrhosis or hepatitis C virus viral load before treatment did not change these results. There was a marginally significant difference in the sustained virological response between IVDUs (46.6%) and non-IVDUs (34.6%) (relative risk=1.35; 95% confidence interval=1.00-1.81), also disappearing after adjusting for genotype. No difference in compliance or sustained virological response was found between active and non-active IVDUs or between IVDU patients in or without a methadone maintenance program. CONCLUSIONS: In this group of Benelux patients, IVDUs showed similar compliance and response to treatment with interferon and ribavirin compared with other patients with CHC infection. Therefore, it is no longer justifiable to withhold treatment to chronic hepatitis C patients who use intravenous drugs.

Verbeeck J, Maes P, Wollants E, Van der Merwe S, Song E, Nevens F, Van Ranst M. · Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. · J Clin Microbiol. · Pubmed #16333107 links to  free full text

Abstract: To validate a commercially available line probe assay for samples containing the infrequently found hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 5a, we sequenced a 511-nucleotide fragment of the NS4b region of Belgian and South African HCV genotype 5a samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence data was performed. For the 77 HCV genotype 5a samples collected, there was 100% concordance between the genotype assignment by the line probe assay and the genotyping based on nucleotide sequencing, despite sequence heterogeneity in the probe binding sites of some samples.

Matheï C, Wollants E, Verbeeck J, Van Ranst M, Robaeys G, Van Damme P, Buntinx F. · Department of General Practice, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33 Blok J, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. · Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. · Pubmed #16133411 No free full text.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the genotypic variation of hepatitis C among drug users in Flanders and to relate the distribution of genotypes to the characteristics of the population. Hepatitis C virus RNA (HCV-RNA) quantification and genotyping was performed on stored samples from 161 anti-HCV-positive injecting and non-injecting drug users. Information on sociodemographic status, drug-related risk behaviour and sexual risk behaviour was available for each drug user. HCV-RNA was present in 152 of 161 samples (94.4%). Genotype 1 was predominant (48.7%), followed by genotype 3 (41.2%), genotype 4 (8.8%) and genotype 2 (1.4%). In the multivariate analysis, lack of a history of injecting drug use was confirmed as a statistically significant predictor for infection with genotype 1. Predictors for infection with genotype 3 were the presence of anti-HBc antibodies and a history of injecting drug use. Being tattooed emerged as a statistically significant predictor for infection with genotype 4. The 94.4% prevalence of HCV-RNA among anti-HCV-positive drug users was considerably higher than the 54-86% chronicity rate found globally among HCV-infected patients. The results of this study suggest the existence of separate transmission networks for injecting drug users and non-injecting drug users. Finally, the results suggest that tattooing practices play a role in the spread of HCV among drug users.

De Schrijver K, Maes I, Van Damme P, Tersago J, Moës E, Van Ranst M. · Flemish Community Health Inspectorate, Antwerp, Belgium. · Acta Clin Belg. · Pubmed #16082990 No free full text.

Abstract: After notification of a case of fulminant hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a 83-year-old female resident of a nursing home to the Flemish Health Inspectorate, a seroepidemiological study and a retrospective cohort study were conducted among the 94 residents and 47 nursing staff to assess the extent of HBV transmission and to identify risk factors. Susceptible residents were vaccinated against HBV and their serological response to hepatitis B vaccination determined. From December 2002 to April 2003, five residents with acute hepatitis B infection were identified with an attack rate of 5.5% and a case fatality rate of 40%. Three other residents were identified as HBV surface antigen and e-antigen positive carrier. None of the nursing staff tested positive for acute HBV infection or HBV carriage. Diabetic patients who were exposed to a shared finger-stick device for blood sampling were 10.7 times more likely to contract an acute HBV infection (RR 10.7; 95% CI 1.3-91.3). Other potential risk factors were undergoing podiatric care and being exposed to the shared razor blade of the hairdresser. The transmission of the infection could be controlled by restricting the use of finger-stick capillary sampling devices to individual patients, assigning separate glucometers to individual patients and, implementation of standard infection-control recommendations like wearing gloves and performing hand hygiene by the nursing staff, assigning separate podiatric sets to individual patients. HBV vaccination of the residents with three doses of HBV vaccine has not induced a sufficient degree of protection. The outbreak stresses the need for appropriate and generally applied standard procedures in nursing homes to prevent bloodborne pathogens.

Thoelen I, Verbeeck J, Wollants E, Maes P, Robaeys G, Matheï C, Buntinx F, Nevens F, Van Ranst M. · Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. · Viral Immunol. · Pubmed #15802968 No free full text.

Abstract: A 32-base pair deletion in the CC-chemokine receptor 5 gene (CCR5), associated with resistance to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, has recently been suggested to act as an adverse host factor in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. To examine this hypothesis, we determined the CCR5-Delta32 allele frequency by polymerase chain reaction in a Belgian cohort of 163 HCV-infected patients and 310 healthy control subjects. The resulting CCR5-Delta32 allele frequencies were 0.080 and 0.119 for the patient group and control group, respectively. In contrast with a previous study, we could not show a statistically significant difference between the CCR5-Delta32 allele frequencies in HCV patients and controls. Moreover, genotype distributions in both populations were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Our results do not support the hypothesis that the CCR5-Delta32 mutant allele is a risk factor for hepatitis C virus infection.

Ying C, Van Pelt JF, Van Lommel A, Van Ranst M, Leyssen P, De Clercq E, Neyts J. · Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology, KU Leuven, Belgium. · Antivir Chem Chemother. · Pubmed #12448688 No free full text.

Abstract: The initial step during hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the specific attachment of the virus to the hepatocyte. Here we studied whether the binding of HBV to hepatocytes can, as is the case with most other enveloped viruses, be blocked by polyanionic compounds. Viral particles produced by HepAD38 cells were used as inoculum and HBV-negative HepG2 cells, as well as primary human hepatocytes, as target cells. Three sulphated polymers, that is, PAVAS (a co-polymer of acrylic acid with vinyl alcohol sulphate), heparin and dextran sulphate (DS) (MW 5000), and the sulphonated polymer PAMPS [poly(2-acryl-amido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid] (MW approximately 7000-12000), proved strong inhibitors of the binding of HBV to HepG2 cells and primary hepatocytes. The 50% effective concentration (EC50) for inhibition of HBV binding to HepG2 cells by PAVAS, heparin, DS and PAMPS was 1.3 microg/ml, 1.6 microg/ml, 1.8 microg/ml and 3.3 microg/ml, respectively, and to primary hepatocytes 1.6 microg/ml (PAVAS), 1.6 microg/ml (heparin), 2.6 microg/ml (DS) and 4.1 microg/ml (PAMPS). These values are in the same range as the concentrations required for these compounds to prevent such viruses as herpesviruses and HIV from binding to cells. These findings may be helpful in elucidating the mechanism of the initial interaction of HBV with hepatocytes.

Bogaerts J, Ahmed J, Akhter N, Begum N, Rahman M, Nahar S, Van Ranst M, Verhaegen J. · Laboratory Sciences Division, ICDDR,B, Dhaka, Bangladesh. · Sex Transm Infect. · Pubmed #11287690 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To document the prevalence of reproductive tract infections (RTI) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) among women attending a basic healthcare clinic in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to identify risk factors associated with the diseases and to estimate the incidence of syphilis, hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV), and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) infection. METHODS: A cross sectional sample of 2335 consecutive women was examined during 1996-8. Women were interviewed about risk factors for RTI/STI and tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Treponema pallidum, HIV, HCV, HBV, HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection as well as vaginal candidosis and bacterial vaginosis. Women with antibodies to T pallidum were retested at regular intervals. One year after ending the study seroconversion for syphilis, HBV, HCV, and HSV-2 infection was detected among women initially negative for the respective diseases. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of N gonorrhoeae, C trachomatis, T vaginalis, and T pallidum infection was 0.5%, 1.9%, 2.0%, and 2.9% respectively. Overall, 35% of the women had antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen, 0.9% had HCV, and 12% HSV-2 infection. Risk factors for gonorrhoea/C trachomatis infection were a husband not living at home or suspected of being unfaithful. HSV-2 infection was associated with the same risk factors and with a polygamous marriage. The prevalence of HSV-2 infection among women "at risk" was 23%. HIV infection was not diagnosed. Repeated serological examination indicated that only 32% of women with serological evidence of syphilis had active disease. The seroincidences of HBV, HCV, and HSV-2 were 0.03, 0.007, and 0.009 per person year. Seroconversion for syphilis was not observed.