Viral hepatitis (caused by hepatitis A-E virus) is a major public health threat and a leading cause of morbidity and death worldwide with an annual mortality similar to that of other major infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis. Progress has been made including the development of vaccines and cures yet viral hepatitis remains a global health burden with many cases of acute and chronic infection exhibiting no or mild symptoms.1
An estimated 304 million people worldwide were living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 2022. Only 13% of people living with chronic HBV and 36% of people living with HCV had been diagnosed between 2015 and 2022, leaving many unaware of their infection status.1 If left undiagnosed and untreated, these infections may progress to severe diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and end-stage liver failure.1
At Roche, patient-centricity is paramount, driving our commitment to continually enhance our trusted infectious disease diagnostics portfolio. Recognizing that investing in diagnostic solutions entails long-term partnerships, we offer integrated solutions tailored to various throughputs and disease areas. These solutions are designed to address the evolving needs of countries striving to eliminate viral hepatitis. Our team of Roche experts stands ready to support your laboratory and ultimately, country or region in achieving your objectives in testing and disease elimination.
Viral hepatitis accounts for 1.34 million deaths globally—including liver cancer, acute cases, and cirrhosis3—and exceeded the number of deaths caused by HIV infection, tuberculosis, or malaria in 2018.3 By 2040, deaths from chronic hepatitis are expected to exceed the combined mortality associated with HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.3
Hepatitis A is a liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), transmitted through contaminated food, water, or direct contact. Most recover fully with lifelong immunity, but a small proportion can develop severe complications. Risk factors include poor water quality and hygiene. In 2016, WHO estimated over 7,000 persons died from hepatitis A worldwide (accounting for 0.5% of the mortality due to viral hepatitis). Vaccination is effective for prevention.4
HBV infections are severely underdiagnosed and not curable—as many as 95% of infants infected with HBV develop chronic infections. Meanwhile, HCV infections are usually asymptomatic, causing approximately 55-85% of cases to develop into chronic infections, leading to significant (and unnecessary) mortality. Despite these numbers, vaccines exist for HBV and HCV, and are curable with antiviral medicines which are effective for more than 95% of persons with hepatitis C infection5,6
HBV and HCV can be transmitted through various routes, including:5,6
HDV relies on hepatitis B virus (HBV) for replication and affects about 5% of those with chronic HBV infection globally. Infection occurs through co-infection with both viruses or after HBV infection (super-infection). High-risk groups include indigenous populations, dialysis patients, and injection drug users. Global HBV vaccination has reduced HDV infections. HDV and HBV co-infection is severe, leading to rapid liver-related complications. Prevention is through HBV immunization, but treatment success rates are limited.
HEV is recognized as the fifth major cause of human viral hepatitis and is likely the leading cause of acute hepatitis and jaundice worldwide. As per the World Health Organization, around 20 million people globally are infected with HEV each year, resulting in roughly 3.3 million symptomatic cases and about 44,000 fatalities.8
Hepatitis E genotypes 1 and 2 are common in developing countries and are transmitted fecal-orally by contaminated water and food. On the other hand, genotypes 3 and 4 are common in developed countries and can occasionally transmit to humans zoonotically through close contact with infected animals or the consumption of contaminated animal products.
Viral hepatitis is a major public health threat and a leading cause of death worldwide. Diagnostics and effective testing strategies are crucial in curbing the hepatitis burden. However, there are major gaps in testing and treatment, specifically among economically disadvantaged regions, rural and displaced populations, and at-risk groups.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated 4.5 million premature deaths could be prevented in low- and middle-income countries by 2030 through the use of vaccination, diagnostic tests, medicines, and education campaigns for hepatitis.9 For the most affected populations, testing and treatment remain beyond reach.
In response to the global burden of hepatitis, the World Health Assembly approved WHO's global hepatitis strategy in 2016. This strategy aims for the global elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030, setting targets of achieving a 90% reduction in new cases and a 65% reduction in deaths.9
For countries working to reach elimination, disease awareness and education are effective upfront strategies for countering the frequent asymptomatic presentation of viral hepatitis. Encouraging testing for everybody may accelerate elimination efforts while also helping to address stigmas often associated with infection. An increasing number of countries are starting to work towards eliminating hepatitis, specifically HBV and HCV, including Egypt, France, Georgia, Iceland, Mongolia, Spain, and Switzerland.10
At Roche, we envision a world where viral hepatitis transmission is halted and everyone living with viral hepatitis has access to diagnostic testing along with safe, affordable, and effective prevention, care, and treatment services.
Reliable hepatitis screening solutions empower clinicians to pinpoint major health threats and devise tailored responses. This could involve local prevention measures, personalised post-infection treatments, or advocacy for broader policy reforms nationally or globally.
Roche has remained committed to the global fight against viral hepatitis and other infectious diseases through reliable screening solutions and will continue to serve as a trusted partner in building a sustainable healthcare system infrastructure in every region for disease prevention and management.
Central to elimination is the role of community, and so we spoke to Dr. Thomas Tu, senior researcher at the Storr Liver Centre at Westmead Hospital (Sydney) and also founder of Hep B community.org and Hepatitis B Voices Australia to understand what Hepatitis elimination means to him.
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