Abstract
Background: Individuals with sero-positivity for Hepatitis B and C have been reported. Most seropositive individuals appear healthy. Liver function markers such as AST, ALT, ALP, Bilirubin and total protein levels are markers for assessing liver impairment. This study (i)assessed seroprevalence of HBV, HCV and both HBV and HCV (ii) HBV and or HCV seropositivity and age or gender, (iii) assess gender and liver function markers and (iv) update data on liver function and simple diagnostic markers. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, cross sectional study of asymptomatic individuals presenting at the Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory of Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria from January 2018 to August 2020. Markers of liver function were investigated on hepatitis B and or C sero-positive and negative participants using TC Matrix Chemistry analyser (Teco Diagnostics, USA) and Biobase reagent Kits. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Out of 475 participants, 60.4% were males and 39.6% females. 53% of males and 32.5% of females were sero-positive for HBV while 32.5% of males and 14.5% of females were sero-positive for HCV. 75.3% and 76.1% of Age group 20 - 40 years were sero-positive for Hepatitis B and C respectively. Mean AST levels of 17.49 ± 13.69, 33.46 ± 93.42 and 19.82 ± 12.54 respectively among those sero-positive for HBV, HCV, and both HBV and HCV. Mean ALT levels of 17.68 ± 14.32, 40.26 ± 13.86 and 20.04 ± 12.78 respectively for HBV, HCV and both HBV and HCV sero-positive cases. Mean ALP levels were 77.52 ± 34.0 for HBV sero-positive cases, 82.04 ± 38.45 in HCV and 77.95 ± 30.48 in both HBV and HCV sero-positive cases. Mean Total Bilirubin levels of HBV, HCV and both HBV and HCV sero-positive cases were 13.25 ± 14.52, 14.98 ± 20.74, 10.58 ± 4.91 respectively while Mean Total protein levels were 77.24 ± 6.27 in HBV, 77.87 ± 5.56 in HCV and 77.0 ± 5.99 in both HBV and HCV sero-positive cases. ALP, bilirubin and total protein were all within normal reference values in HBV, HCV and HBV/HCV dual infections. AST and ALT values were significantly elevated in HCV seropositivity compared to HBV single and HBV/BCV dual seropositivity. Conclusion: 30% prevalence of HBV, HCV and both HBV and HCV were observed. Age 20 - 40 years was significantly higher in seropositivity for hepatitis B, C and B and C dual seropositivity. More males than females showed seropositivity for hepatitis B and C. There was no significant difference between gender and liver function markers. AST and ALT remain reliable markers of liver function.
Highlights
The Liver is the main internal organ, weighing about 1200 - 1500 g
Out of 475 participants, 60.4% were males and 39.6% females. 53% of males and 32.5% of females were sero-positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) while 32.5% of males and 14.5% of females were sero-positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV). 75.3% and 76.1% of Age group 20 - 40 years were sero-positive for Hepatitis B and C respectively
Gender and seropositivity showed 53%, 32.5%, and 14.5% were seropositive for HBV, HCV, and both HB and C respectively among males while 50%, 32.8% and 17.2% were seropositive for HBV, HCV, and both HB and C respectively among female participants (Table 3) The study showed a total of 55 (74.3%) participants were within age range of 20 - 40 years; 15 (20.3%) were 41 - years and 4 (5.4%) were above years (Table 4)
Summary
The Liver is the main internal organ, weighing about 1200 - 1500 g. Age-specific HBsAg seroprevalence varies greatly by geographic area, with the highest prevalence (>5%) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), East Asia, parts of the Balkan region, Pacific Islands, and South America’s Amazon Basin. In regions such as Central America, North America and Western Europe, incidence is below 2% [1]. Liver function markers such as AST, ALT, ALP, Bilirubin and total protein levels are markers for assessing liver impairment. Mean AST levels of 17.49 ± 13.69, 33.46 ± 93.42 and 19.82 ± 12.54 respectively among those sero-positive for HBV, HCV, and both HBV and HCV.
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