A new study has highlighted significant health risks associated with a unique strain of chronic hepatitis B, particularly affecting First Nations people in Australia. Researchers at the Menzies School of Health Research conducted an analysis of the C4 hepatitis B strain among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, discovering alarming rates of liver disease linked to this infection.
The research revealed that among those infected with the C4 sub-genotype, there is a high incidence of severe liver damage. Jane Davies, the lead author of the study and head of the Hepatitis B program at Menzies, explained the implications of the findings. “When people have chronic hepatitis B, we worry about potential liver damage that can progress to liver cirrhosis or liver failure, and they are also at higher risk of liver cancer,” she stated in an interview with the Australian Associated Press.
In the study, which evaluated clinical data from over 780 individuals across the Northern Territory, researchers found that 22 percent of participants exhibited significant liver damage. Furthermore, 16 percent of those affected had developed cirrhosis, a condition characterized by severe scarring of the liver that impairs its functioning.
High Rates of Liver Damage Identified
The findings confirm laboratory results that indicated the C4 sub-genotype may be particularly aggressive regarding liver health. “We have followed individuals over time, assessing various markers of the virus as part of their clinical care,” Professor Davies noted. “This has confirmed that there are significantly high rates of liver damage within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations who have this specific sub-genotype of chronic hepatitis B.”
Despite the serious health implications, current Australian guidelines indicate that only 25 percent of the studied cohort is receiving treatment for hepatitis B. Researchers are advocating for a reconsideration of these guidelines, particularly in light of the World Health Organization’s expanded treatment recommendations for individuals living with C4 hepatitis B.
Prof. Davies emphasized the potential benefits of broadening access to treatment, stating that under the new guidelines, half of those currently not receiving care could become eligible. “My personal opinion is that we should be treating as many people as we can where there is evidence that we can reduce their risk of progression to liver failure and liver cancer,” she stated.
Call for Expanded Treatment Guidelines
The discussion surrounding treatment expansion presents complexities, according to Prof. Davies. She acknowledged the need for a nuanced conversation that considers both the benefits and challenges of implementing broader treatment protocols. “The crucial question is whether there is evidence in this specific sub-genotype that we should be rolling out treatment for more than roughly 50 percent of affected individuals,” she said.
These findings are part of the ongoing research from the Hep B PAST program, which aims to eliminate hepatitis B in the Northern Territory. The study was published in the journal BMC Infectious Diseases, contributing valuable insights into the health challenges faced by First Nations communities.
As the research community continues to examine the implications of chronic hepatitis B, the hope is that increased awareness and potential changes in treatment guidelines will lead to improved health outcomes for those affected.
