Seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in primary hepatocellular carcinoma patients in Zimbabwe.

Nyasha Chin'Ombe,Hilda T Matarira,Evans Chavhunduka

doi:10.1186/1750-9378-4-15

Nyasha Chin'Ombe, Hilda T Matarira + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1750-9378-4-15

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Abstract

BackgroundPrimary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) is one of the most common cancers in Zimbabwe. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are suspected to play a major role in causing this cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in PHC at Parirenyatwa Referral Hospital in Zimbabwe. We evaluated the serological markers of the two viruses in patients with PHC using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent kits.ResultsOut of the 60 patients with PHC, 48.3% were seropositive for HBV and 20.0% were seropositive for HCV. Co-infection by HCV and HBV was found in 8% of the patients. Only 13.3% of the health controls (blood donors) were positive for HBV. All the controls were negative for HCV.ConclusionThe high seropositivity of HBV and HCV in PHC in Zimbabwe suggested that the two viruses were a major cause of the cancer.

Highlights

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) is one of the most common cancers in Zimbabwe
The high seropositivity of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in PHC in Zimbabwe suggested that the two viruses were a major cause of the cancer
In persons infected with HBV, morbidity and mortality result when inflammatory liver disease progresses to cirrhosis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma [8]

Summary

Introduction

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) is one of the most common cancers in Zimbabwe. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are suspected to play a major role in causing this cancer. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are suspected to play an important aetiological role in liver cancer in this region and the continent. Most of the chronically-infected people are found in developing countries and are at a high-risk of developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [6,7]. In persons infected with HBV, morbidity and mortality result when inflammatory liver disease progresses to cirrhosis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma [8]. High-risk groups of HBV infection include intravenous drug users, attendees of sexually transmitted disease clinics, homosexual men, patients undergoing haemodialysis, children born to mothers who are hepatitis B surface antigen positive and health care workers [6,7,9]

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