Hepatitis B,C, and D Virus Infections and AFP Tumor Marker Prevalence Among the Elderly Population in Mongolia: A Nationwide Survey

ObjectivesInfections with hepatitis B, C, and D virus (HBV, HCV, and HDV) are a major public health problem and lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV, anti-HDV immunoglobulin G, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and dual and triple hepatitis virus infections in Mongolia.MethodsA total of 2313 participants from urban and rural regions were randomly recruited for this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used to identify the risk factors for hepatitis virus infections, and the seromarkers were measured using immunoassay kits.ResultsAmong all participants, the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HDV was 15.6%, 36.6%, and 14.3%, respectively. The infection rates were significantly higher in females and participants with a lower education level, rural residence, older age, and a history of blood transfusion. HBV and HCV co-infection was found in 120 (5.2%) participants and HBV, HCV, and HDV triple infection was detected in 67 (2.9%) participants. The prevalence of elevated AFP was 2.7%, 5.5%, and 2.6% higher in participants who were seropositive for HBsAg (p=0.01), anti-HCV (p<0.001), and anti-HDV (p=0.022), respectively. Elevated AFP was more prevalent in participants co-infected with HBV and HCV (5.8%, p=0.023), HBV and HDV (6.0%, p<0.001), and triple-infected with HBV, HCV, and HDV (7.5%) than in uninfected individuals.ConclusionsNearly half (49.8%) of the study population aged ≥40 years were infected with HBV, HCV, or HDV, and 22.4% had dual or triple infections.     

河南省人群丁型肝炎病毒感染的血清流行病学调查研究

为了了解河南省丁型肝炎病毒的人群感染情况，从１９９１－１９９３年对河南省十三个地区１１８２例ＨＢｓＡｇ阳性的各型乙肝病人及无症状ＨＢｓＡｇ携带者血清标本进行ＨＤＡｇ、抗ＨＤＶ和ＩｇＭ－抗－ＨＤＶ三项标志检测。结果表明，河南省人群ＨＤＡｇ、抗－ＨＤＶ、ＩｇＭ－抗－ＨＤＶ的总感染率分别为３．０％、３．５％、３．５％、８．１％。     

乙型肝炎表面抗原阳性单采浆献血员HCV及HDV感染的调查

对ＨＢｓＡｇ的１２７例阳性单采浆献血员及１５２例非献血员的血清学调查发现，抗－ＨＣＶ检出率分别为４１．７％（５２／１２７）、２．６％（４／１５２），ＨＤＡｇ检出率分别为７９％（１０／１２７）、１．３％（２／１５２）；病毒性肝炎的现患率分别为１８．１％（２３／１２７）、４６％（７／１５２）。流行病学研究表明，ＨＢｓＡｇ阳性单采浆献血员中较高的ＨＣＶ和ＨＤＶ感染率以及肝炎的高现患率是因在单采浆还输血球过程中交叉感染引起的。     

Epidemiology and clinical outcome of hepatitis D virus infection in Turkey

The prevalence, the epidemiology, the clinical and biochemical characteristics of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection were studied in patients with HBsAg-positive acute hepatitis, in those with chronic liver disease, and in apparently healthy carriers in Turkey.Fifty-eight of the 242 carriers of HBsAg (23.9%) and 31 of the 237 (13.1%) patients with acute HBsAg-positive hepatitis had serological evidence of HDV infection. Eleven of these individuals were HBsAg carriers with acute HDV superinfection. The prevalence of HDV infection was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in patients with chronic liver disease (54/165; 32.7%) than in asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg (4/77; 5.2%). The highest prevalence (26/57; 45.6%) of HDV infection was found in patients at high risk of acquiring hepatitis virus infection (health care workers, hemodialysis patients, polytransfused patients) with chronic liver disease.Whereas the frequency of severe or fulminant hepatitis was similar in HBV infected patients (7.8%) and in HBV/HDV coinfected individuals (10%), the frequency of biphasic hepatitis was significantly (p < 0.005) higher in the latter patients (30%) than in those with classical hepatitis B (7.8%). Chronic evolution of the disease was observed in 3.9% of the patients with classical hepatitis B and in 5% of those who had evidence of simultaneous HBV/HDV infection. The 10 carriers of HBsAg who survived the acute HDV superinfection developed chronic delta hepatitis.These findings indicate that HDV is endemic in Turkey and that its prevalence is highest among chronic HBsAg-positive hepatitis patients, implicating HDV as a major cause of liver disease among urban Turkis.Corresponding author.     

Hepatitis B and Delta virus infection among heterosexuals,homosexuals and bisexual men

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection rates were estimated in patients attending a venereal disease outpatient clinic: 759 heterosexuals and 154 homosexual-bisexual men. The anti-HBC prevalence was higher in homo-bisexual men (68.8 per 100) than in heterosexuals (41.8 per 100), whereas HBsAg was roughly the same in the two groups (about 6 per 100). The anti-HBc prevalence rate among heterosexuals was higher than that estimated in hospital personnel from the same geographical area. A positive association between anti-HBc prevalence and present or past sexually transmitted diseases (STD) was found among homo-bisexual men. Anti-HBc was also positively associated with herpes simplex type 2 antibodies in both heterosexuals and homo-bisexual men. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that sexual behavior also plays a role in the spread of infection among heterosexuals. Ten of the 46 HBsAg-positive subjects were anti-HDV positive: 6 of the 36 heterosexuals and 4 of the 10 homosexuals. All HDV-positive subjects had present or past STDs. These findings suggest sexual transmission of HDV infection.     

The relationships of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis to alcohol intake,hepatitis B and C,and delta virus infection: a case-control study in Albania.

The present study examined the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and alcohol intake, and the role of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the aetiology of chronic liver disease in Albania. A total of 106 cases of liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis were compared to 195 control patients without these or other liver diseases. Adjusted odds ratios were 52.7 (95% CI 22.7-122) for HBV surface antigen, 26.9 (95% CI 4.9-147) for anti-HCV, 26.2 (95% CI 3-1-221) for anti-HDV, 2.4 (95% CI 1.3-4.4) for lifetime alcohol intake and 2.3 (95% CI 1-5.5) for duration of alcohol intake. Although not significant, an interaction was suggested between HBsAg and anti-HCV and between HBsAg and alcohol intake. Our study underlines the role of hepatitis viruses in the development of chronic liver diseases. Additionally, it suggests that heavy alcohol intake may magnify the effect of HBV on these diseases. HBV vaccination and alcohol abstention appear to be important strategies to reduce the risk of liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis in Albania.     

丁型肝炎病毒感染的血清流行病学观察

1987年4月至1988年10月间,本文应用酶联吸附法(EIA)对石家庄地区Ml例乙型肝炎病毒感染者进行了抗-HD的检测,共发现35例阳性,阳性率12.92%,其中男性阳性率14.06%(27/102),女性为10.13%(8/79),男女间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),提示石家庄地区可能为丁型肝炎病毒感染的高发区.在这些人群中,慢性活动性肝炎、慢性迁延性肝炎和肝硬化的抗-HD阳性率明显高于HBsAg携带者,但三者相互间差异无统计学意义,表明合并或重香感染HDV对乙肝慢性化及肝硬化的形成具有重要的意义。本研究证明在乙型肝炎病毒感染人群中丁型肝炎病毐与年龄、性别、职业等因素关系不密切。     

Delta hepatitis virus infection in ethiopia

The results of Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) antibody determinations carried on 566 HBsAg positive serum samples from a population of 5270 Ethiopian military recruits are reported.The prevalence of anti-HDV among apparently healthy HBsAg carriers was 5.8%. The prevalence increases with age within the available range (18–30 years). Differences might exist by area of origin and ethnic groups. The distributions of HBV markers was similar in anti HDV positive and anti HDV negative individuals, possibly due to the relatively young age of the population and/or the hyperendemic condition of the area.Corresponding author.     

乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原在慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染后不同临床阶段的定量检测及临床意义

目的 测定慢性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染后不同临床阶段患者血清乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原（HBsAg）定量,同时探究其与患者血清HBV DNA水平和年龄的相关性.方法 将未经抗病毒治疗的774例慢性HBV感染患者按照临床特征分为六组：慢性HBV携带组（102例）、非活动性HBsAg携带组（211例）、乙型肝炎病毒e抗原（HBeAg）阳性慢性乙型肝炎组（236例）、HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎组（114例）、HBeAg阳性乙型肝炎肝硬化组（52例）、HBeAg阴性乙型肝炎肝硬化组（59例）,采用化学发光微粒子免疫分析法测定患者血清HBsAg定量,实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应法测定患者血清中HBV DNA定量,血清HBsAg和HBV DNA需要经常用对数转换后进行组间比较.结果 HBsAg定量由高到低分别为慢性HBV携带组、HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎组、HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎组、非活动性HBsAg携带组、HBeAg阴性乙型肝炎肝硬化组和HBeAg阳性乙型肝炎肝硬化组[7.80（6.69 ～ 8.32）、7.11（5.42～8.27）、6.57（5.66 ～ 7.53）、6.38（4.39～ 7.40）、6.22（4.84～ 6.91）、6.13 （5.48～7.01）].HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎组和HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎组HBsAg定量与HBV DNA呈正相关（r=0.714和0.390,P＜0.01）.慢性HBV感染患者血清HBsAg的定量与年龄呈负相关（r=-0.416,P＜0.01）;监测年龄≥40岁非活动性HBsAg携带者的血清HBsAg定量有重要的临床价值.结论 慢性HBV感染后不同临床阶段患者血清HBsAg定量不同,血清HBsAg定量与患者HBV DNA水平和年龄相关,临床上应重点监测年龄≥40岁非活动性HBsAg携带患者血清HBsAg定量.     

Seroprevalence of hepatitis delta virus infection among subjects with underlying hepatic diseases in Chennai, southern India

Four hundred million people are carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide and approximately 5% of these are reportedly positive for hepatitis delta virus (HDV). Several reports indicate a declining trend in the occurrence of HDV infection in the north of tropical India. To our knowledge, no study has been conducted to evaluate whether a similar epidemiological change is occurring in southern India. Therefore we evaluated the seroprevalence of HDV among 153 individuals with HBV-related liver diseases in Chennai, and assessed any change in epidemiological pattern by comparing the results with seroprevalence figures reported previously. Of the 153 patients screened, nine (5.9%) were reactive to anti-delta antibodies, six (3.9%) presented an evidence of past infection (IgG anti-delta positive) and three (2.0%) showed anti-HDV IgM, suggestive of recent HDV infection. Alanine transaminase elevation was not significant in HDV-associated infection compared with HBV alone-infected acute viral hepatitis (AVH) (P=0.82) and chronic liver disease (P=0.77) patients. The anti-HDV positivity in AVH was considerably low (6.6%), compared with previous Indian reports varying from 10.7% to >30%. HDV infection was relatively low and seems to play a minor determining factor of liver diseases in the tropical south Indian population.     

中国四川和日本东京两地原发性肝癌手术患者肝炎病毒感染状况

目的 了解中国和日本两国肝细胞癌（HCC）手术患者肝炎病毒感染状况。方法 查阅1995年1月至1999年12月在我国四川省成都和绵阳市3所三甲医院以及日本东京大学附属医院确诊且实施外科手术的672例HCC患者的病历,获取相关资料进行分析。结果 中国HCC患者肝炎病毒感染的比例为75．53％（321／425）,其中91．28％为乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染,中位年龄为50岁;日本HCC患者肝炎病毒感染的比例为82．59％（204／247）,其中77．94％为丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）感染,中位年龄为64岁;中日两国有肝炎病毒感染的HCC患者中伴肝硬化的比例分别为89．10％（286／321）和68．14％（139／204）。结论 在中国乙型肝炎病毒感染是引起HCC的重要病因,而日本的HCC则与丙型肝炎病毒感染密切相关。     

Prevalence of infection with hepatitis delta virus (HDV) among carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen in Amazonas State, Brazil

Serum samples were non-randomly obtained from apparently healthy inhabitants of 5 villages in the Amazonas State, Brazil. Sera were tested by enzyme immunoassay for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and, if this was found, for antibody to hepatitis delta virus (HDV). Of 574 people tested, 96 (16.7%) were reactive for HBsAg and 33 of these (34.4%) for anti-HDV. The results were analysed according to sex, age and history of jaundice and showed a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HDV infections in these asymptomatic persons, mainly in young people. The rates of prevalence observed in Amazonas for both HBV and HDV are perhaps among the highest in the world, demonstrating that these viruses are endemic in this region of Brazil.     

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses infection in chronic alcoholics with or without liver disease in Ioannina, Greece: Low incidence of HCV infection

Intravenous heroin abusers comprise a high risk group for hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) infection. Chronic alcoholics with liver disease (LD) also comprise a high risk group for HBV infection whereas the frequency of antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) ranges from 27–42.6%. In this study, HBV and HCV infection markers were determined in alcoholic patients with (83 patients) or without LD (68 patients) in order to assess the prevalence of these markers (HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb and anti-HCV). The reason for the study was a lack of established data in this group of patients in Greece. The disease control groups consisted of 70 non-alcoholic hospitalized patients and 60 heroin addicts, whereas 1342 healthy blood donors were also investigated. Our results showed significantly increased prevalence of HBV infection markers in chronic alcoholic patients compared to healthy controls and non-alcoholic hospitalized patients. The findings were independent of the presence or absence of LD. In contrast to heroin addicts, where anti-HCV antibodies were observed in 90%, there was no difference in the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in chronic alcoholics (with or without LD), nonalcoholic hospitalized patients or healthy controls. In conclusion, we found that in this area of northwestern Greece, chronic alcoholics, independent of the presence of LD, comprise a high risk group for HBV infection but very rarely have HCV infection. The latter finding may reflect technical or socioeconomic differences regarding the lifestyle of our patients, and our population in general.     

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in hemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients

This work was carried out to study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, its associated risk factors and possible routes of transmission in hemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients. Ninety five patients and 15 normal controls were included in this study. Patients were classified into 3 groups: Group I (64 hemodialysis patients), Group II (16 renal transplant recipients) and Group III (15 patients with chronic renal insufficiency on conservative treatments). Each individual was subjected to full clinical examination, estimation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), testing for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and core antigen (anti-HBc) by modified ELISA technique. Anti-HCV was found in 87.5% of hemodialysis patients, 81.25% of renal transplant patients, 53.3% of the conservative group and in 13.3% of the control group. There was a significant correlation between the presence of anti-HCV and the duration on dialysis in groups I and II (p < 0.05), while no significant correlation was detected between HCV positive cases and the number of units of transfused blood in groups I and II (p > 0.05). Serum ALT was elevated in patients with HCV infection, but there was no significant correlation between the presence of anti-HCV and elevated ALT level among the examined groups of patients (p > 0.05). The prevalence of HCV infection was not correlated with the duration of renal transplantation and the type of immunosuppressive therapy (p > 0.05). Coinfection with HBV and HCV could occur, as previous infection with HBV was demonstrated. Anti-HBc was found in 51.8%, 66.7%, 37.5% of anti-HCV positive patients in groups I, II, II respectively. Anti-HBs was detected in 24.1% and 15.4% of anti-HCV positive in groups I and II. HBsAg was found only in 4.7% of anti-HCV positive hemodialysis.     

Infection by hepatitis B and C virus in non-intravenous drug using female prostitutes in Spain

We have studied the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serologic markers in female blood donors and in female prostitutes and the relationship of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and of antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) with the presence of treponemal antibodies (FTA-ABS) in non-intravenous drug using female prostitutes. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was found in 1.0% of the female blood donors, anti-HBc in 15.6% and anti-HCV in 0.7%. In the prostitutes, the prevalence of HBsAg was 6.1%, anti-HBc was positive in 29.0% and anti-HCV in 8.8%. No significant statistical association between the prevalence of anti-HBc or anti-HCV and the age of prostitutes (p = 0.9111 and p = 0.8254 respectively) or the length of time as prostitutes (p = 0.3583 and p = 0.5770) was found. FTA-ABS positive prostitutes had a significantly higher prevalence of anti-HCV than FTA-ABS negative prostitutes (p < 0.001). No statistical association was found between anti-HBc antibodies and positive FTA-ABS prostitutes (p = 0.336).Corresponding author.     

Transmission of hepatitis B and hepatitis delta viruses in the households of chronic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers: a regression analysis of indicators of risk

To evaluate whether clinical and laboratory features of a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier can predict risks of infection, its chronicity, and the development of liver disease among close contacts, the authors studied a cohort of 994 first degree relatives or cohabitants (household contacts) of 226 non-drug-addicted chronic HBsAg carriers (index cases), of whom 77% had liver disease and 26% were superinfected by hepatitis D virus (HDV). A logistic form of regression analysis was used to assess the role of each feature in the index case as predictor of hepatitis B virus (HBV)- and HDV-related outcomes among household contacts. Six models of risk, expressed as odds ratios, were assessed by multivariate step-down analysis, with the following results. 1) Infection with HBV in the household contact was independently predicted by the index case being son, sibling, spouse, female, or HBV-DNA positive. 2) Chronic HBsAg carriage in the adult household contact was associated with female sex of the index case and with being a sibling; among young subjects, household contacts were more likely to be chronic HBsAg carriers when the index case was the mother, a sibling, or an HBV-DNA-positive subject. 3) HBV-DNA positivity in the young contact was more likely when the index case was HBV-DNA positive and when she was the mother. 4) HBV-DNA positivity in the absence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in serum in the index case was not related to a similar pattern of infection in HBsAg-positive contacts. 5) Super-infection with HDV of an HBsAg-positive household contact was significantly predicted by female sex of the index case and by anti-HDV positivity. 6) Chronic liver disease in a contact was predicted only by HDV superinfection of the index case. We conclude that horizontal, nonparenteral transmission of HBV among siblings plays a major role in the household of HBsAg carriers from an intermediate endemicity area.     

Prevalence of hepatitis virus infections in Albanian refugees

A sample of 393 Albanian refugees, including both children and adults, was tested for serological HAV, HBV, HDV and HCV markers. A high prevalence of infection with both the hepatitis A and B viruses was found, while HDV and HCV infections were uncommon. The overall prevalence of anti-HAV was 96%; it was very high in children 0-10 years, suggesting that HAV infection is largely acquired during childhood and that poor ambiental conditions influence the spreading of this viral infection.One or more serological markers of HBV infection were found in 295 Albanians (75%), confirming the endemic nature of this virus in the Albanian community. The overall prevalence of HBsAg was 19%, and the carrier rate was higher in males than in females. The high HBsAg prevalence among children suggests that HBV infection is usually acquired in early childhood.The serological data obtained in the Albanian sample examined clearly indicate the urgent need for measures to reduce the incidence of HAV and HBV infections and to avoid the further spread of HDV and HCV infections.Finally, the high prevalence of type B hepatitis indicates the necessity of vaccination against HBV for all risk groups and for all children at birth.     

Incidence of hepatitis B, C and D infection in chronic liver diseases]

The authors tested hepatitis B (HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, IgM anti-HBc, HBe, anti-HBe), C (anti-HCV) and D (anti-HD, IgM anti-HD) virus markers in the sera of 204 patients, who suffered from histologically confirmed chronic liver diseases (age: 18-72, average: 46.8 y) by Sorin Biomedica RIA and Abbott ELISA kits. On the basis of detailed virus serological tests, they obtained data indicating viral etiology in 62% of the cases. 33.3% of the patients were anti-HCV, 52.5% of the patients were HBV marker seropositive and 11.2% of the HBV seropositive cases were anti-HD seropositive. In 2% of the cases seropositivity of all the three viruses was proved. In 26% of the patients seropositivity of two viruses (HBV and HCV, or HBV and HDV) was proved. They observed severe, progressing liver diseases in patients with HBV, HCV and HDV marker seropositivity in a higher ratio than in seronegative patients. In the cases of combined virus marker seropositivity the incidence rate of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis was higher than in only HBV marker seropositive patients, but did not differ significantly from those only anti-HCV seropositive. In the cases of fought-off HBV infection the severity of the liver disease was milder than in the cases of replication and integration stage. Anti-HD seropositivity occurred in all stages of HBV infection, but active HDV infection, in most of the cases, was observed only in cases in the integration stage. Anti-HCV seropositivity was observed mainly in the fought-off HBV infection stage. Their results suggest that HCV infection, like HDV infection, may suppress HBV replication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)