Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B Co-Infection, Georgia, 2017-2023.

Persons co-infected with hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus (HCV-HBV) are at increased risk of developing liver disease compared with mono-infected individuals. In Georgia, all patients undergoing hepatitis C treatment are eligible for free testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). However, further hepatitis B evaluations and treatment are not free.

Temporal trends in hepatitis C incidence among people tested more than once in Georgia, 2017-23: a nationwide, retrospective cohort.

Background: Achieving low incidence is one of WHO's key targets for the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. As progress in Georgia's hepatitis C elimination programme moves the country closer to reaching this target, tracking new cases of hepatitis C has become a priority. We aimed to estimate temporal trends in hepatitis C incidence among people who were tested more than once for hepatitis C in Georgia.

Risk factors for HCV infection in Georgia: A case-control study.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Prior studies in Georgia identified risk factors such as injection drug use (IDU), tattoos, dental cleanings, medical injections, and blood transfusion. This study explored risk factors associated with HCV seroconversion in Georgia.

Mental Health and Cognitive Performance Among Older People Living with HIV in Georgia.

Introduction: Highly effective antiretroviral therapy has increased the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH), resulting in an increase in noncommunicable diseases, including cognitive and mental health disorders. Published literature on cognitive performance in older PLWH is scarce in low- and middle-income countries, including Georgia. Our study aimed to assess mental health and cognitive performance and identify associated factors among PLWH aged ≥40 years.

Cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive performance among people living with HIV: cross-sectional study in the country of Georgia.

Objectives: Older people living with HIV (PLWH) globally are experiencing a combination of both communicable and non-communicable disease (NCD) morbidities. Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) can contribute to adverse ageing brain health. This study aimed to measure VCID and HIV-related factors and evaluate their association with cognitive performance.

Evaluation of Hepatitis C Virus Transmission Through Endoscopy Procedures in the Country of Georgia.

Exposure to healthcare procedures might be a source of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in Georgia, one of the few countries currently on track to eliminate hepatitis C. While there has been a history of iatrogenic transmission of HCV, the risk of HCV transmission related to endoscopic procedures has not been previously assessed in Georgia. The goal of this study was to assess HCV seroconversion among individuals undergoing endoscopic procedures to estimate the relative role and incidence of HCV infection attributable to endoscopic procedures.

Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices for Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Primary Healthcare Physicians in Georgia.

A nationwide serosurvey among adults in 2021 showed a 2.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3%-3.

Incidence Rate and Risk Factors for Developing Active Tuberculosis Among People Living With HIV in Georgia 2019-2020 Cohort.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people with HIV (PHIV) globally. Our study is the first to evaluate TB incidence and its risk factors among PHIV in the country of Georgia, where previously no data were available.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among persons newly diagnosed with HIV in Georgia during 2019-2020.

Relationship Between Hepatitis C Infection and Treatment Status and Coronavirus Disease 2019-Related Hospitalizations in Georgia.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and treatment status on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related hospitalizations in Georgia.

Methods: We analyzed 2020-2021 Georgian health registry data for COVID-19-positive individuals and categorized the data by HCV infection and treatment status. Logistic regression was used to assess the strengths of the associations.

Hepatitis C care cascade among patients with and without tuberculosis: Nationwide observational cohort study in the country of Georgia, 2015-2020.

Background: The Eastern European country of Georgia initiated a nationwide hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination program in 2015 to address a high burden of infection. Screening for HCV infection through antibody testing was integrated into multiple existing programs, including the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP). We sought to compare the hepatitis C care cascade among patients with and without tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in Georgia between 2015 and 2019 and to identify factors associated with loss to follow-up (LTFU) in hepatitis C care among patients with TB.

Impact of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Treatment on Mortality in the Country of Georgia, 2015-2020.

Background: Mortality related to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a key indicator for elimination. We assessed the impact of HCV infection and treatment on mortality in the country of Georgia during 2015-2020.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study using data from Georgia's national HCV Elimination Program and death registry.

Association of Treated and Untreated Chronic Hepatitis C With the Incidence of Active Tuberculosis Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes dysregulation and suppression of immune pathways involved in the control of tuberculosis (TB) infection. However, data on the role of chronic hepatitis C as a risk factor for active TB are lacking. We sought to evaluate the association between HCV infection and the development of active TB.

Risk factors and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus in Georgia: A nationwide population-based survey.

In preparation for the National Hepatitis C Elimination Program in the country of Georgia, a nationwide household-based hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence survey was conducted in 2015. Data were used to estimate HCV genotype distribution and better understand potential sex-specific risk factors that contribute to HCV transmission. HCV genotype distribution by sex and reported risk factors were calculated.

Long-Term Mortality and Active Tuberculosis Disease Among Patients Who Were Lost to Follow-Up During Second-Line Tuberculosis Treatment in 2011-2014: Population-Based Study in the Country of Georgia.

Background: High rates of loss to follow-up (LFU) exist among patients with multidrug and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (M/XDR TB). We aimed to identify long-term clinical outcomes of patients who were LFU during second-line TB treatment.

Methods: We conducted a follow-up study among adults who received second-line TB treatment in the country of Georgia during 2011-2014 with a final outcome of LFU.

Resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection Among Household Contacts: A Multinational Study.

Background: Some contacts of patients with tuberculosis remain negative on tests for tuberculosis infection, despite prolonged exposure, suggesting they might be resistant to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The objective of this multinational study was to estimate the proportion of household contacts resistant to M. tuberculosis (resisters).

Interim effect evaluation of the hepatitis C elimination programme in Georgia: a modelling study.

Background: Georgia has a high prevalence of hepatitis C, with 5·4% of adults chronically infected. On April 28, 2015, Georgia launched a national programme to eliminate hepatitis C by 2020 (90% reduction in prevalence) through scaled-up treatment and prevention interventions. We evaluated the interim effect of the programme and feasibility of achieving the elimination goal.

Contacts of retreatment tuberculosis cases with a prior poor treatment outcome are at increased risk of latent tuberculosis infection.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among contacts of index patients with tuberculosis (TB) with a prior history of active TB disease and TB treatment (retreatment cases).

Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted using data from the national TB contact surveillance program in the country of Georgia. Contacts of retreatment cases were investigated and tuberculin skin testing was offered.