A seminar dedicated to modern methods of diagnosing and treating hepatitis B and D was held in Bishkek. Participants discussed key aspects related to the transmission, symptoms, and treatment of these diseases.
Ulan Sarymsakov, a clinical expert from the Republican Center for the Control of Viral Hepatitis and HIV, presented essential information about hepatitis B and D.
Hepatitis B: Information and Statistics
The specialist explained that hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause both acute and chronic liver disease.
According to WHO data, in 2022, the number of people with chronic hepatitis B was 254 million, with 1.2 million new infections registered worldwide each year.
Sarymsakov also noted that last year, hepatitis B was responsible for about 1.1 million deaths, mainly due to complications such as cirrhosis and primary liver cancer.
“Vaccination is an effective way to prevent hepatitis B,” he emphasized.
Hepatitis D: Key Facts
According to the expert, the hepatitis D virus causes disease only in those already infected with the hepatitis B virus.
The proportion of hepatitis D patients among those with chronic hepatitis B is about 5%, which is equivalent to 12 million people.
Sarymsakov noted that patients undergoing hemodialysis and individuals who use injectable drugs are at high risk for co-infection.
He added that chronic hepatitis D is considered the most severe form of the disease, as it contributes to a faster progression of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Ways of Transmission
The specialist listed the routes of transmission for hepatitis B:
- mother-to-child transmission during childbirth (perinatal route) — up to 70-90%;
- parenteral route (through a needle) — up to 30%;
- sexual transmission — up to 5-30%.
As for hepatitis D, the risk of infection exists only for people with hepatitis B. In rare cases, transmission can occur from mother to child during childbirth. The main risk is associated with contact with the blood of an infected person and other biological fluids, as well as sexual transmission, although this is less common than with hepatitis B. Vaccination against hepatitis B is a reliable measure to prevent co-infection with hepatitis D.
Sarymsakov again emphasized the importance of vaccination against hepatitis B to prevent hepatitis D infection.
Symptoms
According to the doctor, primary hepatitis B infection is often asymptomatic. Some patients may experience symptoms such as jaundice, dark urine, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
In cases of severe illness, acute hepatitis can lead to liver failure. Most patients recover spontaneously; however, in some cases, the disease progresses to a chronic form, causing serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Sarymsakov noted that simultaneous infection with hepatitis D and hepatitis B can cause more severe forms of the disease, similar to acute hepatitis B.
Severe hepatitis D development is rare, and chronicity occurs in less than 5% of acute hepatitis cases. Superinfection with hepatitis D in the context of chronic hepatitis B accelerates the progression of liver cirrhosis.
Therapy
Sarymsakov reported that there are no specific treatment methods for acute hepatitis B. For chronic hepatitis B, medications such as tenofovir, tenofovir alafenamide, and entecavir are used. He noted that in most cases, therapy should be long-term, sometimes for life. More than 50% of patients with chronic hepatitis B require treatment.
As for hepatitis D, previously the only treatment option was therapy with pegylated interferon alpha, but it had low efficacy and many side effects.
This year, the European Medicines Agency approved a new drug, bulevirtide — a subcutaneously administered inhibitor given once daily for the treatment of adults. Sarymsakov added that tenofovir and entecavir can also be used in therapy.
The specialist reminded about free diagnostics, treatment, and vaccination for the population regarding hepatitis B and C, available at healthcare centers and general practice facilities.
