High risk of occult HBV infection among children with hematological disorders and malignancies

Children receiving multiple transfusions or cancer chemotherapy are at an increased risk of acquiring and spreading hepatitis B [HBV] and/or hepatitis C [HCV] virus infections. Concurrent infections with both viruses are increasingly recognized and the reciprocal influence of dual infection remains controversial. Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection in patients who lack detectable hepatitis B surface antigen [HB5Ag] is considered occult infection. To investigate the prevalence of occult HBV in children and adolescents with hematological disorders and malignancies with or without HCV infection. Cross-sectional retrospective study. Hematology/oncology clinic of Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine-Ain Shams University. 100 polytransfused children and adolescents. Forty nine children with hematological disorders [group 1; median age 11.4 yrs] and SI with hematological malignancies [group 2; median age 8 yrs] were enrolled in this study. Sera were tested for HCV antibodies. HCV-RNA [nested RT-PCR], HBV markers [HBsAg. Anti-HBcAb IgM and Total and UBeAg] and HBV-DNA [nested PCR for s, c and x regions] Anti-HCV was detected among 40/49 [81.6c/c] in group 1[24/49, 49<4 HCV-RNA+] and 9/51 [17 6%] in group 2 [12/51: 23.5% HCV-RNA+]. Overall, HBV-DNA was positive among 38

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A among children of different socioeconomic status in Cairo

To determine seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis A virus [HAV] antibodies and potential risk factors for and age of contracting symptomatic hepatitis A infection among children of different socioeconomic status [SES] in Cairo, we carried out a cross-sectional study on 426 children aged 3-18 years from low SES areas and 142 from high SES areas. Seroprevalence was significantly higher with age. Seropositivity to anti-HAV antibodies was significantly higher among children of low and very low SES, 90%, compared to children of high SES, 50%. Water supply and sewage disposal were the most significant risk factors for HAV seropositivity in children of low SES. Children of high SES were more likely to be vulnerable to infection in adolescence than those of low SES