Kaewdech Apichat, Charatcharoenwitthaya Phunchai, Piratvisuth Teerha
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Division of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand.
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
Viruses. 2024 Dec 29;17(1):34. doi: 10.3390/v17010034.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections remain significant public health challenges in Asia, affecting millions and contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of these infections varies across the region, with factors such as vaccination coverage, healthcare infrastructure, and sociocultural barriers influencing the epidemiology of both viruses. The persistent burden of chronic HBV, particularly in older populations, and the evolving HCV genotype landscape highlight the need for targeted, region-specific strategies. Universal screening programs have emerged as essential tools for detecting undiagnosed cases and optimizing healthcare resource allocation. Given the overlapping epidemiology of HBV and HCV, comprehensive public health interventions tailored to the unique contexts of different Asian countries are crucial for achieving global elimination goals. This review examines the epidemiological trends, challenges, and opportunities for addressing HBV and HCV in Asia, emphasizing the importance of overcoming sociocultural barriers to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts across diverse populations.
乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)和丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)感染仍是亚洲重大的公共卫生挑战,影响着数百万人,并导致大量发病和死亡。这些感染在该地区的流行情况各不相同,疫苗接种覆盖率、医疗基础设施以及社会文化障碍等因素影响着这两种病毒的流行病学特征。慢性HBV的持续负担,尤其是在老年人群中,以及不断演变的HCV基因型格局凸显了制定有针对性的、针对特定区域的策略的必要性。普遍筛查计划已成为检测未确诊病例和优化医疗资源分配的重要工具。鉴于HBV和HCV流行病学特征的重叠,针对不同亚洲国家独特情况的全面公共卫生干预措施对于实现全球消除目标至关重要。本综述探讨了亚洲应对HBV和HCV的流行病学趋势、挑战和机遇,强调克服社会文化障碍对于改善不同人群预防、诊断和治疗工作的重要性。