Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Who Attended an Educational Program in Japan

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Infectious Diseases
• Hepatology

Background:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection rates are elevated in hemodialysis patients.
• The prevalence of HBV infection in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients remains unclear.
• Understanding HBV infection risk in CKD patients is crucial for healthcare worker safety during invasive procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection markers in stable, non-dialysis patients with CKD.
• To assess the association between age and hepatitis B infection markers in this population.
• To inform clinical management and infection control strategies for CKD patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study of 496 stable, non-dialysis CKD patients (August 2012 - October 2017).
• Analysis of medical records for patient demographics and hepatitis B serological markers (HBsAg, HBcAb, HBsAb).
• HBV-DNA testing performed on a subset of patients; data on creatinine, AST, and ALT levels collected.

Main Results:

• Prevalence rates: HBsAg 1.6%, HBsAb 16.5%, HBcAb 21.4%.
• Among HBsAg-negative patients, 20.1% were HBcAb-positive, indicating past infection.
• HBV-DNA was positive in 10.6% of tested patients. Infection rates, particularly HBcAb positivity, were higher in patients aged ≥71 years.

Conclusions:

• Hepatitis B virus infection, including current and past infections, is prevalent in non-dialysis CKD patients.
• Older individuals with CKD exhibit a higher prevalence of hepatitis B core antibody positivity.
• Findings highlight the need for vigilant screening and management of HBV in the CKD population.