The rate of hepatitis B virus exposure in subjects with chronic hepatitis C infection in Şanlıurfa

Öz

We aimed to investigate the rate of hepatitis B virus exposure in subjects with chronic hepatitis C infection who were immunocompetent and not treated with antiviral agent. Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients with chronic hepatitis C (9 female, 13 male, mean age: 52±9.7) were enrolled into this study. Hepatitis B profile was investigated by EIA and hepatitis C virus RNA and hepatitis B virus DNA by real time PCR. Results: AntiHBc antibody positivity, which suggested exposure to hepatitis B virus, was 68.2% in chronic hepatitis C patients. Four patients (18.2%) in the study group were seronegative and 3 patients (13.6%) were vaccinated against hepatitis B virus infection. Only 2 (9.1%) of 22 patients were HBsAg positive, and taking into account hepatitis B virus DNA positivity, 3 patients (20%) had replicative hepatitis B virus infection of 15 patients who were exposed to hepatitis B virus. Conclusions: According to our results, the rate of hepatitis B virus exposure and permanency of hepatitis B virus infection are higher in chronic hepatitis C patients than in the general population. Especially in regions endemic for hepatitis B virus, the occult hepatitis B virus infection, which can increase the severity or deteriorate the prognosis of the disease, should be investigated by sensitive PCR technique in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Occult hepatitis B, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, co-infection

Şanlıurfa'da kronik C hepatitinde hepatit B virüs enfeksiyonu ile karşılaşma sıklığı

Öz

İmmunsuprese kronik hepatit C'lilerde artmış okkült HBV enfeksiyon bildirimleri mevcuttur. Bu çalışmada, immunsuprese olmayan ve antiviral tedavi başlanmamış kronik hepatit C'lilerde hepatit B virüsü ile karşılaşma sıklığı araştırıldı. Gereç ve yöntem: Hepatit C virüs antikoru ve hepatit C virüs RNA pozitifliği ile kronik hepatit C tanı sı almış 22 olgu (9 kadın/13 erkek, yaş ortalaması: 52±9.7 yıl) bu çalı şmaya alındı. Tüm olgularda hepatit profili mikropartikül enzim immun assay, hepatit B virüs DNA'sı ve hepatit C virüs RNA'sı ise real-time polymerase chain reaksiyonu yöntemiyle bakıldı. Bulgular: Hepatit C virüsüne bağlı kronik hepatitlilerin %68.2'sinin anti-HBc antikor pozitifliği ile hepatit B virüs enfeksiyonu ile karşılaştığı, %31.8'inin ise hepatit B virüsü ile karşılaşmamış olduğu saptandı. Hepatit C virüsüne bağlı kronik hepatitli 22 olgudan sadece 2 olguda (%9.1) hepatit B yüzey antijenin pozitif olduğu ve buna göre hepatit B virüs ile karşılaşmış olan 15 olgunun 3'ünde (%20) hepatit B virüs DNA'sının pozitifliği ile birlikte hepatit B virüsünün kalıcılığı belirlendi. Sonuç: Bizim sonuçlarımıza göre, kronik C hepatitlilerde hepatit B virüsü ile karşılaşma sık ve enfeksiyon kalıcılığı genel populasyondan daha yüksektir. Hastalığın ciddiyeti ve prognozuna katkısı olabileceğinden, özellikle de hepatit B açısından endemik bölgelerde sensitif yöntemler ile okkült hepatit B virüs enfeksiyonu araştırılmalıdır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Okkült hepatit B, hepatit C virüsü, hepatit B virüsü, ko-enfeksiyon

Kaynakça

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