Low Prevalence Of Hepatitis B ‘E’ Antigen In Asymptomatic Adult Subjects With Hepatitis B Virus Infection In Enugu, South East Nigeria

[Guest guest]

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number_1_14/article/low-prevalence-of-hepatitis-b-e-antigen-in-asymptomatic-adul\

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The Internet Journal of Gastroenterology™ ISSN: 1528-8323

Low Prevalence Of Hepatitis B ‘E’ Antigen In Asymptomatic Adult Subjects With

Hepatitis B Virus Infection In Enugu, South East Nigeria

Uchenna N Ijoma

Department of Medicine

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital

Address:

Enugu

Nigeria

Sylvester C Nwokediuko

Department of Medicine

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital

Address:

Enugu

Nigeria

Belonwu Onyenekwe

Department of Medicine

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital

Address:

Enugu

Nigeria

Chinwuba K Ijoma

Department of Medicine

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide problem and reaches

endemic proportion in developing countries including Nigeria, where an estimated

18 million people are infected. The sequelae of HBV infection are serious and

account for about 25% to 40% of the mortality from chronic HBV infection. There

is a direct relationship between HBeAg and progression of disease and eventual

sequelae of chronic liver disease. The fraction of the individuals with HBV

infection who are HBeAg positive in Nigeria is not known.Aim: To determine the

hepatitis B ‘e’ antigen status of asymptomatic subjects with hepatitis B virus

infection in Enugu, Nigeria.Design: Prospective cross sectional studySubjects

and method: Consecutive adult subjects with HBsAg in serum who met the study

criteria were recruited from the Gastroenterology clinic of the University of

Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria from May 2004 to August 2005. Subjects

were clinically evaluated and serological markers of HBV were assayed by

immunochromographic method.Results: Thirteen (8.6%) of the study population were

HBeAg positive while 114 (75.5%) were positive for antiHBe antibody. Ninety

seven percent were positive for anti HBc IgG antibody. None of the subjects was

positive for anti HBc IgM antibody indicating that none of the subjects had

acute infection.Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that less than 9% of

asymptomatic adult subjects with hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection in Enugu,

Nigeria, have e antigen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Introduction

Hepatitis B virus infection is a world wide problem and reaches endemic

proportions in South East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the

developing world [1]. The disease burden is large and of public health concern.

The morbidity and mortality associated with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

infection is considerable with serious complications including acute viral

hepatitis, chronic viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and primary liver cell

carcinoma. It is estimated that about 2 billion people have been previously

infected and there are about 350 million sufferers worldwide [2]. Approximately

18 million Nigerians are chronically infected with HBV and about 4 – 7 million

(25 – 40%) of these die from long term complications of cirrhosis and liver

cancer [3].

Up to 10% of those infected with HBV may not clear the virus after six months

and may go on to develop a chronic carrier state. The progression to chronicity

and complication is directly related to high viral replication demonstrable

serologically by the presence of markers of pathogenicity and infectivity [4].

These serological markers include Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), IgG anti

core antibody (anti HBc IgG), Hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg), anti hepatitis e

antibody (anti HBeAb), and HBV DNA [5]. HBe antigen reflects high viral

replication and infectivity [6], and thus, its measurement in serum.

[Guest guest]

FULL TEXT:

http://www.ispub.com/journal/the_internet_journal_of_gastroenterology/volume_10_\

number_1_14/article/low-prevalence-of-hepatitis-b-e-antigen-in-asymptomatic-adul\

t-subjects-with-hepatitis-b-virus-infection-in-enugu-south-east-nigeria.html

The Internet Journal of Gastroenterology™ ISSN: 1528-8323

Low Prevalence Of Hepatitis B ‘E’ Antigen In Asymptomatic Adult Subjects With

Hepatitis B Virus Infection In Enugu, South East Nigeria

Uchenna N Ijoma

Department of Medicine

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital

Address:

Enugu

Nigeria

Sylvester C Nwokediuko

Department of Medicine

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital

Address:

Enugu

Nigeria

Belonwu Onyenekwe

Department of Medicine

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital

Address:

Enugu

Nigeria

Chinwuba K Ijoma

Department of Medicine

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide problem and reaches

endemic proportion in developing countries including Nigeria, where an estimated

18 million people are infected. The sequelae of HBV infection are serious and

account for about 25% to 40% of the mortality from chronic HBV infection. There

is a direct relationship between HBeAg and progression of disease and eventual

sequelae of chronic liver disease. The fraction of the individuals with HBV

infection who are HBeAg positive in Nigeria is not known.Aim: To determine the

hepatitis B ‘e’ antigen status of asymptomatic subjects with hepatitis B virus

infection in Enugu, Nigeria.Design: Prospective cross sectional studySubjects

and method: Consecutive adult subjects with HBsAg in serum who met the study

criteria were recruited from the Gastroenterology clinic of the University of

Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria from May 2004 to August 2005. Subjects

were clinically evaluated and serological markers of HBV were assayed by

immunochromographic method.Results: Thirteen (8.6%) of the study population were

HBeAg positive while 114 (75.5%) were positive for antiHBe antibody. Ninety

seven percent were positive for anti HBc IgG antibody. None of the subjects was

positive for anti HBc IgM antibody indicating that none of the subjects had

acute infection.Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that less than 9% of

asymptomatic adult subjects with hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection in Enugu,

Nigeria, have e antigen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Introduction

Hepatitis B virus infection is a world wide problem and reaches endemic

proportions in South East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the

developing world [1]. The disease burden is large and of public health concern.

The morbidity and mortality associated with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

infection is considerable with serious complications including acute viral

hepatitis, chronic viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and primary liver cell

carcinoma. It is estimated that about 2 billion people have been previously

infected and there are about 350 million sufferers worldwide [2]. Approximately

18 million Nigerians are chronically infected with HBV and about 4 – 7 million

(25 – 40%) of these die from long term complications of cirrhosis and liver

cancer [3].

Up to 10% of those infected with HBV may not clear the virus after six months

and may go on to develop a chronic carrier state. The progression to chronicity

and complication is directly related to high viral replication demonstrable

serologically by the presence of markers of pathogenicity and infectivity [4].

These serological markers include Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), IgG anti

core antibody (anti HBc IgG), Hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg), anti hepatitis e

antibody (anti HBeAb), and HBV DNA [5]. HBe antigen reflects high viral

replication and infectivity [6], and thus, its measurement in serum.