Hepatitis C virus infection in chronic asymptomatic carriers of HBs antigen

Abstract

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. 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.