Abstract
Background and study aim: Anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) sero-positivity in general population in Egypt is reported to be 10-13%. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of anti-HBc among chronic hepatitis C patients before antiviral therapy. Patients and Methods: A total of 178 consenting patients with chronic HCV infection eligible for treatment with DAAs according to program of National Committee for Control of Hepatitis Infection in Portsaid, Egypt from April to October 2017. All of the patients were screened for anti-HBs and anti-HBc. Anti-HBc–positive patients were assayed for HBV DNA. Results: Out of 178 chronic hepatitis C patients, Eighty four patients (47.2%) were treated with triple therapy (Sofosbuvir/ Daclatasvir/Ribavirin) and ninety four patients (52.8%) with dual therapy (Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir). A65 patients (36.5%) werereactive for anti-HBc. Of 84 patients, 34 (40.5%) who treated with triple therapy were reactive for anti-HBc. Of 94 patients, 31 (33%) who treated with dual therapy were reactive for it. All patients were negative for anti-HBs and anti-HBc–positive patients were no detected HBV DNA at baseline and 12 weeks after DAAs. Conclusion: Our results suggest including anti-HBc as an additional screening test for chronic hepatitis C patient in Egypt who are eligible for DAAs to reduce the risk of HBV reactivation and fulminant hepatitis after DAAs.
Highlights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus infection are leading causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting 350-400million and 170 million people, respectively [1]
hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has a suppressive effect on the replication of HBV, shown by the loss of replicative markers as HBV-DNA [6]
The extensive application of sensitive molecular tests such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR has enabled HBVDNA to be detected in specimens from individuals without serological evidence of chronic HBV infection [7]
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus infection are leading causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting 350-400million and 170 million people, respectively [1]. HCV is currently the most significant public health problem in Egypt [2]. Antihepatitis B core (anti-HBC) seropositivity in general population in Egypt is reported to be 10-13% [4]. HBV and HCV share common modes of transmission, simultaneous infection is quite frequent, where both viruses are endemic as among people with a high risk for parenteral infections [5]. Antihepatitis B core (anti-HBc) sero-positivity in general population in Egypt is reported to be 10-13%. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of anti-HBc among chronic hepatitis C patients before antiviral therapy
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