Editorial
Prevention of Liver Fibrosis and Cancer in Africa: The PROLIFICA project – a collaborative study of hepatitis B-related liver disease in West Africa
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes a spectrum of acute and chronic liver disease ranging from inactive chronic carrier status to progressive chronic hepatitis, culminating in end-stage cirrhosis and liver cancer. In sub-Saharan Africa, HBV infection is endemic and the HBV-related disease burden is high, making HBV a signficant threat to health in the African continent. The European Union-funded Prevention of Liver Fibrosis and Cancer in Africa (PROLIFICA) project was established in 2011, with the central directive to reduce the incidence of HBV-related liver cancer in West Africa. In this editorial, we outline some of the achievements and challenges of the PROLIFICA platform in West Africa, highlighting the the importance of collaborative studies in Africa.
Authors' affiliations
Jessica Howell, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK; Centre for Population Health, Macfarlane-Burnet Institute, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Nimzing G Ladep, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK; Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State, Nigeria
Maud Lemoine, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK; Medical Research Council (The Gambia Unit), Fajara, The Gambia
Shevanthi Nayagam, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
Papa Souleymane Toure, UFR Santé, Thiès University, Thiès, Sénégal
Magatte Madoky Diop, UFR Santé, Thiès University, Thiès, Sénégal
Joao Armindo Daveiga, UFR Santé, Thiès University, Thiès, Sénégal
Amina Sow Sall, Laboratoire de Bacteriologie Virologie, Le Dantec Hospital, Dakar, Sénégal
Gora Lo, Laboratoire de Bacteriologie Virologie, Le Dantec Hospital, Dakar, Sénégal
Mary M E Crossey, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
Mark R Thursz, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
Simon D Taylor-Robinson, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
Mamadou Mourtalla Ka, UFR Santé, Thiès University, Thiès, Sénégal
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Date published: 2015-01-27
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