Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Nigerian Patients on Haemodialysis

Main Article Content

R Igetei
J O Awobusuyi
O K Wright
D O Olaleye

Keywords

Occult Hepatitis B, Heamodialysis, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is highly endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. Occult HBV infection is prevalent among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on haemodialysis and frequent blood transfusion.

Method: Forty one adult Nigerians with CKD on haemodialysis who were asymptomatic, had no signs of liver disease and tested negative to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were recruited. Patients' status with regard to antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) I and II were determined by serological test using third generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA).Quantitative analysis for HBV DNA was estimated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using EliGeneHBV UNI reagent according to the manufacturer's protocol.

Result: 6 (14.6%) of the patients had occult hepatitis B virus infection with detectable HBV-DNA in their serum. One (16.7%) of the patients with occult Hepatitis B virus infection had co-infection with Hepatitis C virus. Two (33.3%) of the patients with occult Hepatitis B virus infection had co-infection with HIV I &II, compared with 8 (22.9%) of the HBV- DNA negative patients. There was however no statistically significant difference between both groups (p = 0.483 and 0.629 respectively).

Conclusion: Occult HBV infection is common among Nigerian CKD patients. More studies involving larger population may be necessary to characterize this group of patients

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.