AIM: To examine the association between interferon(IFN) therapy and loss of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag) in inactive HBs Ag carriers. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study in inactive HBs Ag carriers, ...AIM: To examine the association between interferon(IFN) therapy and loss of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag) in inactive HBs Ag carriers. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study in inactive HBs Ag carriers, who were treatment-naive, with a serum HBs Ag level < 100 IU/m L and an undetectable hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA level(< 100 IU/m L). All the 20 treated patients received subcutaneous PEG-IFN alfa-2a 180 μg/wk for 72 wk and were then followed for 24 wk. There were 40 untreated controls matched with 96 wk of observation. Serum HBs Ag, HBV DNA, and alanine aminotransferases were monitored every 3 mo in the treatment group and every 3-6 mo in the control group. RESULTS: Thirteen(65.0%) of 20 treated patients achieved HBs Ag loss, 12 of whom achieved HBs Ag seroconversion. Mean HBs Ag level in treated patients decreased to 6.69 ± 13.04 IU/m L after 24 wk of treatment from a baseline level of 26.22 ± 33.00 IU/m L. Serum HBV DNA level remained undetectable(< 100 IU/m L) in all treated patients during the study. HBs Ag level of the control group decreased from 25.72 ± 25.58 IU/m L at baseline to 17.11 ± 21.62 IU/m L at week 96(P = 0.108). In the control group, no patient experienced HBs Ag loss/seroconversion, and two(5.0%) developed HBV reactivation.CONCLUSION: IFN treatment results in HBs Ag loss and seroconversion in a considerable proportion of inactive HBs Ag carriers with low HBs Ag concentrations.展开更多
Hepatitis B surface antigen prevalence in populations of blood donors in Cameroon is estimated at 6%-16%. As such, the Objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen in a popula...Hepatitis B surface antigen prevalence in populations of blood donors in Cameroon is estimated at 6%-16%. As such, the Objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen in a population of bank employees, who represent a sample closer to the general population. In tests carried out both Yaounde and Douala in December 2011, we detected the hepatitis B surface antigen among 267 workers, including 151 men and 116 women of a median age of 37 years. The Results obtained revealed that the overall prevalence stood at 7.1%, with a 9.9% prevalence ratio in men, three times higher than that in women (3.4%). Subjects aged 20-29 years and senior staffs were more affected (each of them recording 8.1%). Potential nosocomial risks were detected mostly at the level of dental care (52.8%). Among the other risks of exposure, scarification (53.6%) was more frequent. A univariate analysis revealed an insignificant relationship with tattoos (OR 2.6, 95% CI 0.5-10.8, p = 0.2). These results led to the Conclusion that Hepatitis B surface antigen carrier prevalence in a population of workers in Cameroon is not different from that of blood donors. It is mainly due to early vertical and horizontal contamination.展开更多
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a common viral pathogen that causes a substantial health burden worldwide. Remarkable progress has been made in our understanding of the natural stages of chronic HBV infection. A dynamic ba...Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a common viral pathogen that causes a substantial health burden worldwide. Remarkable progress has been made in our understanding of the natural stages of chronic HBV infection. A dynamic balance between viral replication and host immune response is pivotal to the pathogenesis of liver disease. Knowledge of the HBV genome organization and replication cycle can unravel HBV genotypes and molecular variants, which contribute to the heterogeneity in outcome of chronic HBV infection. Most HBV infections are spontaneously resolved in immunocompetent adults, whereas they become chronic in most neonates and infants at a great risk of developing complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Those with chronic HBV infection may present in one of the four phases of infection: immune tolerance, immune clearance [hepatitis B eantigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB)], inactive carrier state, and reactivation (HBeAg-negative CHB). Understanding the dynamic nature of chronic HBV infection is crucial in the management of HBV carriers. Long-term monitoring and optimal timing of antiviral therapy for chronic HBV infection help to prevent progression of HBV-related liver disease to its later stage, particularly in patients with higher risk markers of HCC, such as serum DNA concentration, HBeAg status, serum aminotransferase, HBV genotypes, and pre-core or core mutants.展开更多
文摘AIM: To examine the association between interferon(IFN) therapy and loss of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBs Ag) in inactive HBs Ag carriers. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study in inactive HBs Ag carriers, who were treatment-naive, with a serum HBs Ag level < 100 IU/m L and an undetectable hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA level(< 100 IU/m L). All the 20 treated patients received subcutaneous PEG-IFN alfa-2a 180 μg/wk for 72 wk and were then followed for 24 wk. There were 40 untreated controls matched with 96 wk of observation. Serum HBs Ag, HBV DNA, and alanine aminotransferases were monitored every 3 mo in the treatment group and every 3-6 mo in the control group. RESULTS: Thirteen(65.0%) of 20 treated patients achieved HBs Ag loss, 12 of whom achieved HBs Ag seroconversion. Mean HBs Ag level in treated patients decreased to 6.69 ± 13.04 IU/m L after 24 wk of treatment from a baseline level of 26.22 ± 33.00 IU/m L. Serum HBV DNA level remained undetectable(< 100 IU/m L) in all treated patients during the study. HBs Ag level of the control group decreased from 25.72 ± 25.58 IU/m L at baseline to 17.11 ± 21.62 IU/m L at week 96(P = 0.108). In the control group, no patient experienced HBs Ag loss/seroconversion, and two(5.0%) developed HBV reactivation.CONCLUSION: IFN treatment results in HBs Ag loss and seroconversion in a considerable proportion of inactive HBs Ag carriers with low HBs Ag concentrations.
文摘Hepatitis B surface antigen prevalence in populations of blood donors in Cameroon is estimated at 6%-16%. As such, the Objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen in a population of bank employees, who represent a sample closer to the general population. In tests carried out both Yaounde and Douala in December 2011, we detected the hepatitis B surface antigen among 267 workers, including 151 men and 116 women of a median age of 37 years. The Results obtained revealed that the overall prevalence stood at 7.1%, with a 9.9% prevalence ratio in men, three times higher than that in women (3.4%). Subjects aged 20-29 years and senior staffs were more affected (each of them recording 8.1%). Potential nosocomial risks were detected mostly at the level of dental care (52.8%). Among the other risks of exposure, scarification (53.6%) was more frequent. A univariate analysis revealed an insignificant relationship with tattoos (OR 2.6, 95% CI 0.5-10.8, p = 0.2). These results led to the Conclusion that Hepatitis B surface antigen carrier prevalence in a population of workers in Cameroon is not different from that of blood donors. It is mainly due to early vertical and horizontal contamination.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Department of Qingdao Government 07-2-1-15-nsh
文摘Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a common viral pathogen that causes a substantial health burden worldwide. Remarkable progress has been made in our understanding of the natural stages of chronic HBV infection. A dynamic balance between viral replication and host immune response is pivotal to the pathogenesis of liver disease. Knowledge of the HBV genome organization and replication cycle can unravel HBV genotypes and molecular variants, which contribute to the heterogeneity in outcome of chronic HBV infection. Most HBV infections are spontaneously resolved in immunocompetent adults, whereas they become chronic in most neonates and infants at a great risk of developing complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Those with chronic HBV infection may present in one of the four phases of infection: immune tolerance, immune clearance [hepatitis B eantigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB)], inactive carrier state, and reactivation (HBeAg-negative CHB). Understanding the dynamic nature of chronic HBV infection is crucial in the management of HBV carriers. Long-term monitoring and optimal timing of antiviral therapy for chronic HBV infection help to prevent progression of HBV-related liver disease to its later stage, particularly in patients with higher risk markers of HCC, such as serum DNA concentration, HBeAg status, serum aminotransferase, HBV genotypes, and pre-core or core mutants.
