血液透析患者乙、丙型肝炎感染的状况

目的研究血液透析患者乙、丙型肝炎感染状况及感染途径。方法对４９例维持性血液透析患者用套式逆转录聚合酶链反应方法（ＲＴＰＣＲ）检测了乙型肝炎病毒脱氧核糖核酸（ＨＢＶＤＮＡ）及丙型肝炎病毒核糖核酸（ＨＣＶＲＮＡ），用第二代酶联免疫吸附法（ＥＬＩＳＡ）检测丙型肝炎抗体、乙型肝炎标志物（ＨＢＶＭ）。结果透析患者乙型肝炎感染率５３．１％，丙型肝炎感染率６９．４％。输血组乙、丙型肝炎感染率大于未输血组；透析程２４个月以上者丙型肝炎感染率大于透析１２个月以内者（Ｐ＜００５）。ｌｏｇｉｓｔｉｃ多元回归分析显示，透析年限的增加是丙型肝炎感染的主要因素，提示透析程的危险度大于输血危险度。２０份血站提供的血制品有３份ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性，２０份复用透析器经消毒处理后检测出２份ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性，９例工作人员ＨＣＶＲＮＡ及ＨＢＶＤＮＡ均阴性。结论加强透析室的管理及工作人员的防护，减少输血及透析器的复用，对减少透析中乙、丙型肝炎感染至关重要     

维持血液透析的尿毒症病人乙型丙型肝炎病毒感染情况研究

目的　了解北京地区 (东城、宣武、朝阳区 )接受规律性血液透析患者 ,乙型肝炎病毒 (HBV)和丙型肝炎病毒 (HCV)的感染情况及其相关因素。方法　 1998年 3～ 12月在北京协和医院、朝阳医院等 4家医院血液净化中心 ,长期维持血液透析的尿毒症患者 2 2 5例 ,血透中心工作人员及健康献血者 5 0例为对照组。分别用PCR法和高敏PCR法检测HBVDNA、HCVRNA ,ELISA法检测乙肝两对半及丙肝抗体 ,并分析其与透析时间、输血、肝功能损害的关系。结果　 2 2 5例血液透析病人中 ,HCVRNA阳性 37例 (16 4 %) ;HBVDNA阳性 3例(1 33%)。多元回归分析表明 :输血和透析时间是丙型肝炎感染的危险因素。共有 3 0 %(3/ 99)的病人同时感染乙肝和丙肝 ,均有肝功能的损害和临床症状 ,8 1%(8/ 99)HBcAb阳性患者同时合并HCV感染。结论　血液透析病人乙肝和丙肝感染远高于对照组 ,透析时间和输血次数是丙肝感染的危险因素 ,HBV和HCV同时感染问题值得重视。     

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus infection

Occult hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection(OBI) is characterized by the persistence of HBV DNA in the liver tissue in individuals negative for the HBV surface antigen.The prevalence of OBI is quite variable depending on the level of endemic disease in different parts of the world,the different assays utilized in the studies,and the different populations studied.Many studies have been carried out on OBI prevalence in different areas of the world and categories of individuals.The studies show that OBI prevalence...     

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Algerian patients with hepatitis C virus infection

AIM:To investigate the prevalence of,and risk factors for,diabetes mellitus(DM) in Algerian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection and in a control group.METHODS:A cross-sectional study was undertaken.A total of 416 consecutive patients with viral chronic hepatitis attending the Internal Medicine Department of the University Hospital Center Touhami Benflis in Batna [290 HCV-infected and 126 hepatitis B virus(HBV)-infected patients] were prospectively recruited.RESULTS:The prevalence of DM wa...     

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus infection in haemodialysis patients from central Greece

AIM:To assess the hepatitis B virus(HBV)-DNA and the prevalence of occult HBV infection in end-stage renal failure(ESRF)patients from Central Greece. METHODS:Sera from 366 ESRF patients attending five out of six dialysis units from Central Greece were investigated for HBV-DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Only serum samples with repeatedly detectable HBV-DNA were considered positive.IgG antibodies to hepatitis C virus(anti-HCV)were tested by a third generation enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELIS...     

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in Egypt

The emerging evidence of the potentially clinical importance of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) increases the interest in this topic. OBI may impact in several clinical contexts, which include the possible transmission of the infection, the contribution to liver disease progression, the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, and the risk of reactivation. There are several articles that have published on OBI in Egyptian populations. A review of MEDLINE database was undertaken for relevant articles to clarify the epidemiology of OBI in Egypt. HBV genotype D is the only detectable genotype among Egyptian OBI patients. Higher rates of OBI reported among Egyptian chronic HCV, hemodialysis, children with malignant disorders, and cryptogenic liver disease patients. There is an evidence of OBI reactivation after treatment with chemotherapy. The available data suggested that screening for OBI must be a routine practice in these groups of patients. Further studies needed for better understand of the epidemiology of OBI among Egyptian young generations after the era of hepatitis B vaccination.     

血液透析患者中隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒感染的分子流行病学分析

血清HBsAg阴性,而血清或肝脏组织HBV DNA阳性被定义为隐匿性HBV感染.透析患者其自身免疫功能低下,且长期反复接受动静脉穿刺等原因,致其成为HBV感染的高危人群.在欧美地区的医疗机构里,透析单元中HBV的传播仍远大于内、外科病房及门诊,其HBsAg阴性的维持性血液透析患者隐匿性HBV感染的发生率为0.9%～12.4%[1-2].而国内鲜见相关报道.     

Management of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection in patients on maintenance hemodialysis(MHD) is relatively higher than those without MHD. Chronic HCV infection detrimentally affects the life quality and expectancy, leads to renal transplant rejection, and increases the mortality of MHD patients. With the application of erythropoietin to improve uremic anemia and avoid blood transfusion, the new HCV infections during MHD in recent years are mainly caused by the lack of stringent universal precautions. Strict implementation of universal precautions for HCV transmission has led to markedly decreased HCV infections in many hemodialysis units, but physicians still should be alert for the antiHCV negative HCV infection and occult HCV infection in MHD patients. Standard interferon alpha and pegylated interferon alpha monotherapies at a reduced dose arecurrently the main treatment strategies for MHD patients with active HCV replication, but how to increase the sustained virological response and decrease the side effects is the key problem. IFNα-free treatments with two or three direct-acting antivirals without ribavirin in MHD patients are waiting for future investigations.     

Occult hepatitis C virus infection is more common than hepatitis B infection in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Patients of end stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled to study the prevalence of occult and dual hepatitis B virus （HBV） and hepatitis C virus （HCV） infection and non-occult hepatitis B and C virus infection. One hundred and two patients were enrolled. Thirty patients had HCV infection, three of them were positive in anti-HCV. So, 27 （90%） of HCV-positive patients had occult HCV infection. Eleven （11%） patients had HBV infection. Five patients were positive in anti-HBc or HBV-DNA, but negative in HBsAg （occult HBV infection）. Three （3%） patients had dual HBV and HCV infection. None of the patients showed changes in viral markers during the follow-up of 8 mo on average （1-12 mo）.     

血液透析患者乙、丙、庚型肝炎病毒感染状况分析

目的 探讨血液透析病人（HDP）乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）、丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）、庚型肝炎病毒（HGV）的感染状况、感染方式及预防措施。方法 对160例HDP及30例对照组定期预留血清,检测HBsAg、抗HBs、HBeAg、抗HBe 、抗HBc、HBV DNA、抗HCV、HCV RNA、抗HGV。结果 HDP的HCV、HGV感染率明显高于对照组（P＜0.01及P＜0.05）。HBV感染率高于对照组,但其差异显著性（P＞0.05）。血透加输血组肝炎病毒感染率明显高于单纯血透组（P＜0.01）。肝炎病毒感染率随透析时间的延长,感染率逐渐增高。结论 HDP HCV、HGV感染率高,其中输血是一重要因素,其次与血液透析本身的医源性感染有关。故应加强对献血员的筛选,尽量少输血,加强透析过程中的消毒隔离措施。     

Prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic hepatitis C virus infection in Egyptian children

AIM: To identify the prevalence, risk factors and manifestations of asymptomatic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Egyptian children. METHODS: Children at the age of 1-9 years were screened for HCV antibodies and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Every child with elevated ALT and/or detectable HCV antibodies was tested for HCV RNA by RT-PCR and compared with two negative controls for risk factors and signs and symptoms of liver disease.RESULTS: We screened 1042 children, six of them had elevated ALT, negative HCV antibody and positive RNA, likely representing acute hepatitis C cases. Fifteen children were HCV seropositive, 5 of them were HCV RNA positive. Asymptomatic HCV infection was present in 2.02% (positive results for either HCV antibodies or HCV-RNA or both). Symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, history of fatigue and school absence because of illness and risk factors such as dental care were significantly more common among HCV positive cases than among controls. None of the HCV positive children was diagnosed as having signs of advanced liver disease upon clinical or ultrasonographic examination. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic HCV infection is detectable in 2.02% Egyptian children.     

Prevalence of hepatitis E virus infection in regular hemodialysis patients

The percentage of patients infected with blood-borne diseases, including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, is high in patients undergoing hemodialysis regularly. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, and blood-borne HEV infection has also been reported recently. On the basis of these findings, we investigated the actual status of HEV infection in regular hemodialysis patients. Out of 1077 patients undergoing hemodialysis at two key hospitals and three outpatient hemodialysis clinics, 300 were randomly selected as the subjects. Among these 300 hemodialysis patients, 19.0% were IgG-type anti-HEV antibody-positive. The percentage of HEV-infected patients increased with patient age and it was particularly high in patients 40 years of age or older. The percent IgG-type anti-HEV antibody positivity was not significantly different (P = 0.14) between anti-HCV antibody-positive patients (27.8%) and anti-HCV antibody-negative patients (17.8%). The percentage of HEV-infected patients among the hemodialysis patients was higher than that previously reported among patients with healthy kidneys. No correlation was observed between the percentage of HEV-infected patients and HCV infection incidence or a history of blood transfusion. The percent IgG-type anti-HEV antibody positivities were significantly different among the facilities. It was impossible to specify the route of infection, and the correlation between the incidence of infection and hemodialysis therapy was not clear. Because more routes of infection are possible for patients undergoing dialysis than for persons with normal kidney function, it seems necessary to analyze the significance of infection incidence, the route of infection and infection prevention measures.     

Management of psoriasis patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection

The systemic therapies available for the management of Psoriasis(PsO) patients who cannot be treated with more conservative options, such as topical agents and/or phototherapy, with the exception of acitretin, can worsen or reactivate a chronic infection. Therefore, before administering immunosuppressive therapies with either conventional disease-modifying drugs(c DMARDs) or biological ones(b DMARDs) it is mandatory to screen patients for some infections, including hepatitis B virus(HBV) and hepatitis C virus(HCV). In particular, the patients eligible to receive an immunosuppressive drug must be screened for the following markers: antibody to hepatitis B core, antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen(anti-HBs Ag), HBs Ag, and antibody to HCV(anti-HCV). In case HBV or HCV infection is diagnosed, a close collaboration with a consultant hepatologist is needed before and during an immunosuppressive therapy. Concerning therapy with immunosuppressive drugs in PsO patients with HBV or HCV infection, data exist mainly for cyclosporine a(Cy A) or b DMARDs(etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab). The natural history of HBV and HCV infection differs significantly as well as the effect of immunosuppression on the aforementioned infectious diseases. As a rule, in the case of active HBV infection, systemic immunosuppressive antipsoriatic therapies must be deferred until the infection is controlled with an adequate antiviral treatment. Inactive carriers need to receive antiviral prophylaxis 2-4 wk before starting immunosuppressive therapy, to be continued after 6-12 mo from its suspension. Due to the risk of HBV reactivation, these patients should be monitored monthly for the first 3 mo and then every 3 mo for HBV DNA load together with transaminases levels. Concerning the patients who are occult HBV carriers, the risk of HBV reactivation is very low. Therefore, these patients generally do not need antiviral prophylaxis and the sera HBs Ag and transaminases dosing can be monitored every 3 mo. Concerning PsO patients with chronic HCV infection their management with immunosuppressive drugs is less problematic as compared to those infected by HBV.In fact, HCV reactivation is an extremely rare event after administration of drugs such as CyA or tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. As a rule, these patients can be monitored measuring HCV RNA load, and ALT, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl-transferase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, albumin and platelet every 3-6 mo. The present article provides an updated overview based on more recently reported data on monitoring and managing PsO patients who need systemic antipsoriatic treatment and have HBV or HCV infection as comorbidity.     

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus among hemodialysis patients in Bushehr province, southern Iran: HBV seroprevalence in hemodialysis patients

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still reported from adult hemodialysis units.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of anti-HBs antibody in hemodialysis patients and the correlation between levels of anti-HBs antibody with other factors.

Patients and Methods

HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc antibodies level in 119 hemodialysis patients were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Seroconversion (anti-HBs antibody >10 IU/L) was found in 22 patients. Minimum protective antibody level was found in patients aged ≥60 years. Statistically significant correlation was not found between anti-HBs antibody and gender. Ten (8.4%) patients had abnormal ALT and/or AST. Prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBc antibody, HBeAg and anti-HBe antibody were found in 8 (6.72%), 24 (25.16%), 2 (1.68%) and 3 (2.52%) patients, respectively.

Conclusions

Periodic assessment of anti-HBs antibody level is strongly recommended in patients undergoing hemodialysis.     

Prevalence of hepatitis d virus infection among hepatitis B virus infected patients in qom province, center of iran

Background

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that depends on the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus for its replication, developing exclusively in patients with acute or chronic hepatitis B. There are little data regarding the routes of HDV transmission in Iran. The risk factors for HDV infection in Iran are blood transfusion, surgery, family history, Hejamat wet cupping (traditional phlebotomy), tattooing, war injury, dental interventions, and endoscopy.

Objectives

We performed this study to determine the prevalence of hepatitis D in the general population of Qom province and the potential risk factors for acquiring HDV.

Patients and Methods

This cross-sectional study collected 3690 samples from 7 rural clusters and 116 urban clusters. HBs antigen was measured, and if the test was positive, anti-HDV was measured. Ten teams, each consisting of 2 trained members, were assigned to conduct the sampling and administer the questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS.

Results

Forty-eight subjects (1.3%) suffered from hepatitis B, and 1 HBsAg-positive case had HDV infection. The prevalence of hepatitis D infection in Qom Province was 0.03%. The prevalence of hepatitis D infection in HBsAg-positive cases was 2%. Our anti-HDV-positive case had a history of tattooing, surgery, and dental surgery. There was no significant relationship between tattooing, surgery history, or dental surgery and hepatitis D infection.

Conclusions

The prevalence of hepatitis D in Qom is the the lowest in Iran, similar to a study in Babol (north of Iran).     

Hepatitis C and hepatitis B seroprevalence and associated risk factors in hemodialysis patients in Guilan province, north of Iran: HCV and HBV seroprevalence in hemodialysis patients

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are especially problematic in patients with end-stage renal disease who are undergoing hemodialysis (HD).

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of HCV and HBV infection in HD population in Guilan, north of Iran.

Patients and Methods

In a cross-sectional study, from May to September 2009, in 11 different hemodialysis units in Guilan province, North of Iran, clinical data such as age, gender, duration of dialysis, HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody of 514 HD patients were recorded. Patients with positive antibodies against HCV were tested for HCV RNA.

Results

From 514 patients, 286 (55.64%) were male. 61 (11.9%) patients were anti-HCV-positive and 31 (50.8%) were HCV PCR-positive. There was significant relationship between HCV Ab-positivity with gender and HD duration (p < 0.05). There was significant difference between the mean HD duration in anti-HCV-positive and anti-HCV-negative patients (p < 0.05). Also, significant relationship was found between HCV RNA-positivity with gender and HD duration (p < 0.05). Seven (1.4%) patients were positive for HBsAg. Two (0.38 %) were found positive for both HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody.

Conclusions

There is low a prevalence of HCV and HBV in HD patients in our region. The rate can be decreased by HBV vaccination of end-stage renal disease patients before setting chronic HD, antiviral treatment and isolation of infected individuals.     

Previous hepatitis B virus infection is associated with worse disease stage and occult hepatitis B virus infection has low prevalence and pathogenicity in hepatitis C virus‐positive patients

Abstract: Background: Anti‐hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV) patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) frequently show markers of previous hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Moreover, they may carry occult HBV infection. These features might influence clinical and biochemical features as well as stage of disease. Aim: To assess the prevalence and clinical associations of previous (positivity for anti‐HBs and/or anti‐HBc antibodies) and occult HBV infection (positivity for HBV‐DNA by nested‐PCR) in the serum of anti‐HCV‐positive, HCV‐RNA‐positive, HBsAg‐negative patients with various degrees of CLD seen at a tertiary referral centre. Patients: A total of 119 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria (84 chronic hepatitis and 35 liver cirrhosis). Results: Forty‐eight patients (40.3%) showed markers of previous HBV infection. This feature was more frequent (P = 0.02) among cirrhotics (57%) as compared to chronic hepatitis patients (33%). Chronic hepatitis patients positive for markers of previous HBV infection had worse histology as compared to negative ones (grading: 6.4 ± 2.7 versus 4.6 ± 3.0, P = 0.004; staging: 1.6 ± 1.2 versus 1.0 ± 1.0, P = 0.01). Eight patients were positive for HBV‐DNA in serum (6.7%). No difference in the presence of occult HBV infection was seen between various degrees of liver disease (7.1% of chronic hepatitis, 5.7% of cirrhosis) and among patients who were positive (10.4%) or negative (4.2%) for markers of previous HBV infection. No significant biochemical, virological, or histological difference was observed between age, age at infection, duration of infection, marker patterns of previous HBV infection‐matched HBV‐DNA‐positive and negative chronic hepatitis patients. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that previous HBV infection among anti‐HCV patients is associated with worse disease stage. In these patients, the prevalence of occult HBV infection is low and there is no difference in distribution among patients with or without markers of previous HBV infection. Furthermore, it does not seem to be associated with disease stage. Lastly, at least among patients with chronic hepatitis, it does not seem to affect the severity of disease.     

Immunogenicity of recombinant hepatitis B virus vaccine in patients with and without chronic hepatitis C virus infection： A case-control study

AIM： To compare the response of standard hepatitis B virus （HBV） vaccination between patients with chronic hepatitis C virus （HCV） infection and healthy individuals. METHODS： This is a prospective case-control study. A total of 38 patients with chronic HCV infection and 40 healthy controls were included. Vaccination was performed by injection of 20μg recombinant HBsAg into the deltoid muscle at mo 0,1 and 6. Anti-HBs concentration was determined 3 mo after the last dose and compared between the two groups. The response pattern was characterized as （1） high-response when the anti-HBs antibody titer was 〉 100 IU/L, （2） low-response when the titer was 10-100 IU/L. and （3） no-response when the titer was 〈 10 IU/L. RESULTS： In the patient group, there were 10/38 （26.3%） non-responders, 8/38 （21.1%） Iow-responders and 20/38 （52.6%） high-responders. The corresponding values in the control group were 2/40 （5.0%）, 7/40 （17.5%） and 31/40 （77.5%）, respectively. The response pattern was statistically different between the two groups. In multivariate analysis, smoking was a significant confounder, while HCV infection lost its significant correlation with lower antibody response. CONCLUSION： Patients with chronic HCV infection tend to respond weakly to HBV vaccination compared to healthy individuals, though this correlation is not independent according to multivariate analysis.     

Impact of occult hepatitis B virus infection and prior hepatitis B virus infection on development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus

Objective. Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA can be detected in liver or sera of patients without serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), its clinical relevance in hepatocarcinogenesis remains controversial. This observational cohort study was conducted to clarify the risk factors, including the presence of serum HBV DNA and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver cirrhosis (LC). Material and methods. The study comprised 123 patients with LC due to HCV, and negative for HBsAg. The risk factors for HCC development were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Serum samples were assayed for HBV DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results. Serum HBV DNA was detectable in 14 patients (11.4%) and serum anti-HBc in 96 (78.0%). During the follow-up period (mean 53.3 months), 80 patients (65.0%) developed HCC. The cumulative HCC development rate was significantly higher in the anti-HBc-positive group than in the anti-HBc-negative group (p=0.0039), but did not differ between the serum HBV DNA-positive and -negative groups (p=0.8570). The multivariate analysis indicated that male gender, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) 20 ng/ml or greater, average serum alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) 80 IU/l or greater and the presence of anti-HBc were independent risk factors for development of HCC (p=0.038, p=0.013, p=0.020 and p=0.001, respectively). Conclusions. Serum anti-HBc, which indicates a previous HBV infection, has clinical significance in hepatocarcinogenesis in patients with HCV-related LC, but serum HBV DNA does not. Therefore, anti-HBc in serum is a significant predictor for HCC.