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Mechanistic Deep Dive
HBV Replication
- Reverse transcription (despite DNA virus)
- cccDNA persists in hepatocyte nuclei â reservoir
- Difficult to eradicate
- Functional cure (HBsAg loss) goal
HCV Genome
- Translated as polyprotein
- Cleaved by host + viral proteases
- NS3/4A protease, NS5A, NS5B polymerase
- All DAA targets
HDV Replication
- Uses HBsAg envelope
- Hepatocyte-specific
- Bulevirtide blocks NTCP entry
Recent Trials & Updates
Bepirovirsen (siRNA for HBV)
- ASO targeting HBsAg
- B-Clear (2023): some HBsAg loss
- Trials ongoing
Vebicorvir (HBV Capsid Inhibitor)
HCV Post-DAA Era
- Reinfection risk
- Continued surveillance
- HCC risk persists
USPSTF HCV Recommendations
- All adults 18-79 universal screening (Class B 2020)
- Pregnant women
High-Yield Specialist Points
HBV Reactivation Prophylaxis
- Pre-treatment screening
- Rituximab: highest risk
- Other chemotherapy: high
- TNF inhibitors: moderate
- Steroids long-term: variable
- Prophylactic antiviral (entecavir or tenofovir)
HBV Treatment Discontinuation
- HBeAg+: after seroconversion + 12 months consolidation
- HBeAg-: longer treatment
- Cirrhosis: typically lifelong
- HBsAg loss: rare but durable
HBV in Pregnancy
- TDF preferred (safety data)
- Continue through delivery
- Vertical transmission prevention
HCV in Pregnancy
- Avoid DAAs (limited safety data)
- Treat after delivery
- Vertical transmission rare (5-10%)
- No specific intervention
HCV Genotype Considerations
- Pan-genotypic regimens make less important
- Some still use for specific cases
- Genotype 3 historically more difficult
DAA Drug Interactions
- Amiodarone + sofosbuvir: bradycardia
- St. Johnâs wort: â levels
- Anticonvulsants: â levels
- Statins: avoid simvastatin/lovastatin
- AIDS antiretrovirals: check
HEV Chronic in Transplant
- Up to 50% become chronic
- Genotype 3 mainly
- Ribavirin à 3 months (60-80% cure)
- Reduce immunosuppression if possible
Acute HBV Infection
- 95% adults clear
- Treatment usually not required
- Supportive
- Acute liver failure: liver transplant evaluation
HBV Vaccine Non-Responders
- 5-10%
- Booster dose
- Switch to different vaccine
- Re-test antibody
- Use HBIG for high-risk exposure
Hep B Surface Antibody (Anti-HBs)
- Quantitative measurement
- ⥠10 mIU/mL = immune
- Vaccine-derived only: anti-HBs + (anti-HBc -)
- Naturally acquired immunity: anti-HBs + anti-HBc total
Pearls
- HAV + HEV: fecal-oral, no chronic except HEV in IS
- HBV: parenteral, perinatal; chronic in 5% adult, 90% perinatal
- HCV: parenteral; chronic 75-85%; DAAs cure > 95%
- HDV: requires HBV; bulevirtide FDA 2023
- HEV pregnancy 3rd trimester: 10-25% mortality
- HCC surveillance: US ± AFP every 6 mo for chronic HBV + cirrhotic
- HBV reactivation: screen before chemo/IS + prophylaxis if positive
- DAA + HBV: screen for reactivation before treatment