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Hepatitis C virus antibodies in asymptomatic chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen
H Barros1, H P Miranda, F Silvestre
1Gastroenterology Department, Santo António General Hospital, Oporto.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalence in asymptomatic chronic Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers is 2.7%, higher than blood donors but not linked to liver damage. No new infections were detected during follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are significant global health concerns.
- Coinfection with HBV and HCV can complicate disease progression and management.
- Understanding HCV prevalence in chronic Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers is crucial for public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence, incidence, and clinical significance of HCV antibodies in asymptomatic chronic HBsAg carriers.
- To compare HCV prevalence in this cohort with that of voluntary blood donors.
- To investigate the relationship between HCV infection and liver disease severity in HBsAg carriers.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of 183 asymptomatic chronic HBsAg carriers over a mean of 3.8 years.
- Testing stored and follow-up sera for anti-HCV antibodies using ELISA and confirmatory RIBA.
- Assessing demographic data, risk factors, and histological severity.
Main Results:
- HCV infection prevalence was 2.7% in HBsAg carriers, higher than in blood donors.
- Only 3 of 5 ELISA-positive cases were confirmed by RIBA.
- HCV infection was not significantly associated with histological liver damage severity.
- No new HCV infections were identified during the follow-up period.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of HCV infection among asymptomatic chronic HBsAg carriers is elevated compared to blood donors but lower than in other chronic hepatitis B populations.
- HCV coinfection does not appear to significantly influence the histological lesions in HBsAg chronic carriers.
Unlabelled:
The objectives of the study were to evaluate the prevalence, incidence and clinical significance of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in HBsAg chronic carriers. The evaluation of stored sera was combined with the follow up of a cohort of cases observed in a referral-based university hospital. A total of 183 HBsAg asymptomatic chronic carriers were identified during routine screening and followed for a mean period of 3.8 years. Stored sera and sera obtained during follow-up were tested for anti-HCV using ELISA. Second-generation RIBA (Ortho) was used as a possible confirmatory test. Demographic data and risk factors were assessed using a standard questionnaire. The prevalence of HCV infection in HBsAg chronic carriers was 2.7% (95% Cl: 1.2%-63%), higher in males than females (3.1% vs 1.8%, p = 0.52) and also higher than that found in voluntary blood donors from the same region. Only 3 out of 5 ELISA-positive cases were RIBA-positive. Patients positive for both types of virus more frequently admitted drug abusers. The presence of anti-HCV was not significantly related to the histological severity. During follow-up no new cases of infection were found.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of HCV infection in asymptomatic chronic carriers is higher than in blood donors but lower than previously reported for other populations of chronic hepatitis B cases. HCV infection was not found responsible for the frequency or the type of lesions observed in these HBsAg chronic carriers.