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[Hepatitis C virus infection in chronic asymptomatic carriers of HBs antigen]
H Barros1, H P Miranda, F Silvestre
1Serviço de Gastroenterologia, Hospital Geral de Santo António, Porto.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalence in asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was 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
- Epidemiology
Unlabelled:
The objectives of the study were to evaluate the prevalence, the incidence and the 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 os 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% CI: 1.2%-6.3%), higher in male than female (3.1% vs 1.8%, p = 0.52) and also higher than the one 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 abuse. The presence of anti-HCV was not significantly related to the histologic 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 im these HBsAg chronic carriers.