Clinical Research Directory

Rapid HIV, Hep C, and Syphilis Screening in a Rural Street Medicine Clinic

West Virginia faces rising rates of HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis, particularly among individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges. Traditional blood-draw testing for these infections is often hindered by mistrust, logistical barriers, and delays in results. This study, conducted by the West Virginia University (WVU) Street Medicine program, evaluates a rapid, point-of-care fingerstick test for HIV, Hepatitis C, and syphilis that provides results within 10-20 minutes during mobile clinic visits. Participants may choose rapid testing, traditional blood draw (which also includes Hepatitis B screening), or decline testing. All participants will be invited to complete a brief survey about the experiences with screening methods. The goal is to assess whether rapid testing improves screening uptake, linkage to care, and patient satisfaction, ultimately reducing barriers and disease burden in high-risk populations.

Combined Light, ExVivo, and Antivirals for Recipients of Lungs From HBV Donors

The aim of the study is to show that transplantation of lungs from Hepatitis B-infected donors is safe when using EVLP with UV light inactivation plus antivirals

Real-world Study Evaluating the Long-term Outcomes of Pegylated Interferon α-2b Treatment in the Families With Clusters of HBV Infection and Unfavorable Prognosis - A Prospective, Controlled, Multicenter, Cohort Study

Chronic hepatitis B can develop into cirrhosis and liver cancer, which seriously endangers the life and health of people. In China, HBV is mainly transmitted from mother to child, showing the phenomenon of family clusters. Similarly, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma occur in familial clusters. Familial clusters of HBV infection with unfavorable prognoses refers to HBV-infected patients from two consecutive generations of blood relatives, with at least one family member diagnosed with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous family investigations have shown that the risk and harm of HBV-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are significantly higher in families with familial clusters of HBV infection with unfavorable prognoses than in the general population. Currently, antiviral drugs used for CHB mainly include nucleoside analogues (NAs) and interferon-alpha (mainly pegylated interferon-alpha, Peg IFN). NAs mainly inhibits viral replication by blocking the reverse transcription process, but it cannot effectively inhibit the expression of viral proteins such as HBsAg, and rarely achieves clinical cure. Multiple clinical studies have shown that the use of NAs reduces the incidence of cirrhosis decompensation, HCC, and death in patients with CHB compared to untreated or placebo-treated patients. Despite long-term treatment with first-line NAs drugs, CHB patients continue to be at risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Peg IFN α-2b injection is the first-line drug of choice for antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis B, and its main mechanism of action includes anti-HBV, anti-fibrosis, anti-tumor and regulation of immune response. In 2024, a randomized controlled multicenter study showed that Peg IFN α-2b combined with NAs therapy could effectively prevent hepatocellular carcinoma in CHB patients. There is sufficient evidence in clinical practice that long-term antiviral therapy, whether NAs or Peg IFN α-2b, reduces the risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death in patients with CHB. In conclusion, early antiviral therapy can reduce the risk of developing hepatitis B cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in CHB patients with familial clusters of HBV infection with unfavorable prognoses. The goal of this observational study is to explore the evaluation of pegylated interferon α-2b combined with first-line NAs on the long-term outcome of CHB antiviral therapy with cirrhosis and HCC progression as the main observation targets, compared with only use of NAs in the context of familial clusters of HBV infection with unfavorable prognoses. It is intended to provide high-quality evidence-based medical evidence for the treatment and follow-up of CHB, explore optimal clinical decision-making, and provide global clinical data for the improvement and evaluation of this difficult-to-treat population. The main question it aims to answer is: Can Peg IFN-α-2B combined with NAs therapy improve the long-term outcomes of this particular population of familial clusters of HBV infection with unfavorable prognoses compared to first-line NAs monotherapy? Patients with familial clusters of HBV infection with unfavorable prognoses using Peg IFN-α-2B combined with NAs therapy and NAs monotherapy will be collected laboratory and medical examination data at specified follow-up points, and recorded adverse events and drug combinations in detail for 7 years.

The Impact of Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus on Non-clinical Harms

The goal of this qualitative study is to explore the impact of antiviral treatment, or none, for chronic hepatitis B virus on the non-clinical (social) harms experienced by migrant populations living in the UK. Two groups of participants living with hepatitis B virus will be interviewed, those taking the daily treatment, and those not prescribed any treatment.

Community Screening and Management of Hepatitis B, C and Delta in the Mongolian Population Living in France

In Mongolia, mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the highest in the world. Viral hepatitis is the main cause of HCC: the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) estimated at 11% In Mongolia, hepatitis C (HCV) at 8.5%, and hepatitis Delta (HDV) at 40-60% in HBV-infected patients. Viral hepatitis are essentially asymptomatic and therefore require systematic screening for diagnosis. Once a diagnosis of chronic viral infection has been established, specific therapies are available to reduce the morbidity and mortality of these patients. A study carried out in California in the Mongolian community found an HBV prevalence of 9.7% and positive HDV serology in 41% of these patients. There is a large Mongolian community in France, estimated at between 5,000 and 6,000 patients. Although the majority of these patients are covered by French social security; however, access to care and screening for viral hepatitis often remain difficult and insufficient for migrant or vulnerable populations in France The aim of this study is to screen the Mongolian community in France for viral hepatitis, and then initiate a program of care and treatment.