Occult hepatitis B: the Egyptian situation.

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is characterized by detectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA without surface antigen (HBsAg).
• OBI is established in Egypt, with studies examining its prevalence in diverse patient populations.
• Understanding OBI's occurrence is crucial due to its implications in various disease states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the occurrence of occult hepatitis B infection in different disease states within Egypt.
• To highlight the significance of OBI, particularly its co-occurrence with hepatitis C infection.
• To identify high-risk groups and prevalent genotypes of HBV in Egypt.

Main Methods:

• This is a review article, synthesizing existing data on occult hepatitis B infection in Egypt.
• Literature search on studies investigating OBI prevalence in various Egyptian patient cohorts.
• Analysis of reported co-infections, risk factors, and HBV genotypes associated with OBI.

Main Results:

• Occult hepatitis B infection is present in various patient groups in Egypt.
• Co-infection with hepatitis C exacerbates liver disease, elevates liver enzymes, and increases hepatocellular carcinoma risk.
• Patients undergoing hemodialysis and those with a history of blood transfusion are at higher risk.
• The highest prevalence of OBI was observed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Hepatitis B virus genotype D is the predominant genotype found in occult infections in Egypt.

Conclusions:

• Occult hepatitis B infection is a significant concern in Egypt, affecting multiple patient populations.
• The co-existence of OBI with hepatitis C poses a substantial threat, increasing liver disease severity and cancer risk.
• Targeted screening and management strategies are essential for high-risk groups, including hemodialysis patients and those with hepatocellular carcinoma.