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Background: The hepatitis C pandemic has been systematically studied and characterized in North America and Europe, but this important public health problem has not received equivalent attention in other regions. Aim: The objective of this systematic review was to characterize hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology in selected countries of Asia, Australia and Egypt, i.e. in a geographical area inhabited by over 40% of the global population. Methodology: Data references were identified through indexed journals and non-indexed sources. In this work, 7770 articles were reviewed and 690 were selected based on their relevance. Results: We estimated that 49.3‐64.0 million adults in Asia, Australia and Egypt are anti-HCV positive. China alone has more HCV infections than all of Europe or the Americas. While most countries had prevalence rates from 1 to 2% we documented several with relatively high prevalence rates, including Egypt (15%), Pakistan (4.7%) and Taiwan (4.4%). Nosocomial infection, blood transfusion (before screening) and injection drug use were identified as common risk factors in the region. Genotype 1 was common in Australia, China, Taiwan and other countries in North Asia, while genotype 6 was found in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. In India and Pakistan genotype 3 was predominant, while genotype 4w as found in Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Conclusion: We recommend implementation of surveillance systems to guide effective public health policy that may lead to the eventual curtailment of the spread of this pandemic infection.

Clinicians face many challenges in striving to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Some of the most urgent issues relate to preventing or reducing the development of antiviral resistance that may arise during oral antiviral therapy. In addition, the management of special populations, including patients with normal alanine aminotransferase levels, children and adolescents, women planning pregnancy or already pregnant, patients undergoing chemotherapy or other forms of immunosuppression, patients with HBV and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection, and those undergoing liver transplantation, present further challenges. This concise review examines recent findings on the efficacy of antiviral therapy in these special patient groups.

Background/Aims: A large amount of new data on the treatment of chronic hepatitis B has become available such that the 2003 consensus statement requires revision and update. Methods: New data were presented, discussed and debated in an expert pre-meeting to draft a revision. The revised contents were finalized after discussion in a general meeting of APASL. Results: Conceptual background, including the efficacy and safety profile of currently available and emerging drugs, was reviewed. Nineteen recommendations were formed and unresolved issues and areas for further study were suggested. Conclusion: The current therapy of chronic hepatitis B is modestly effective but not satisfactory. The development of new drugs and new strategies is required to further improve the outcomes of treatment.