High prevalence of HBV carriers among waste collectors in the largest landfill in Latin America

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious public health problem. Some professions are at an increased risk for HBV infection, such as recyclable waste collectors. In this study, the aim was to evaluate the prevalence of HBV carriers and vaccination coverage among waste collectors in the largest landfill in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, as well as to determine the association between risk factors and HBV infection in the studied population. In this study 73 participants answered a questionnaire on their socio-demographic variables and occupational exposure to waste. All of the subjects in the study were tested for HBsAg and their vaccination cards were evaluated in order to assess their HBV vaccination status. The vaccination coverage among the individuals who had a vaccination card was 57.4%. The overall prevalence of HBsAg was 12.3%. The prevalence of HBsAg was significantly higher among men (p = 0.002). However, no statistical differences were found in the prevalence of HBsAg between individuals with a history of occupational accidents involving sharp edges and non-injured individuals (p = 0.267). The results of this study demonstrate the need to strengthen prevention measures and increase HBV vaccination among waste collectors.

Influence of Rheumatoid Factors and Bilirubin on the Sensitivity of Immunochromatographic Rapid Diagnostic Tests for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B in Cameroon.

Aim: We aimed at studying the influence of some potential interference factors on the immunochromatographic Rapid Diagnostic Tests commonly used in Cameroon for the diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and Hepatitis B (HBV) which are major public health problems in the country. Design and Methods: The sample population of this cross-sectional study included patients referred to the BETHANIE Laboratory for the accurate diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and HBV. RDTs were performed using FIRST RESPONSE HIV Card 1-2.0 and HEXAGON HBsAg. Tests results were confirmed using a high sensitivity 3rd generation ELISA for HIV and HBV, both from FORTRESS. Assays of Rheumatoid Factors and bilirubin were conducted on HIV and HBV samples respectively. Statistical analysis was done using the R software version 3.0.2; the Chi-square test with continuity correction was applied at a threshold of 0.05. Results: A total of 25 patients were included for the HIV study group and 30 for the HBV group. Test sensitivities of 14.28% and 92.85% for FIRST RESPONSE HIV Card 1-2.0 and HEXAGON HBsAg were found respectively. Average blood levels of RF were 11.55 IU / L and 64.29 IU / L from FIRST RESPONSE HIV RDT positive and negative samples respectively. Blood levels of bilirubin were 88.63 mg / L and 131.66 mg / L from HEXAGON HBsAg RDT positive and negative samples respectively. Conclusion: HIV FIRST RESPONSE RDT results were independent (P-value = 1.00) of Rheumatoid Factor values (up to 238.8 IU / L). However, we found that HEXAGON HBsAg RDT results were not independent of bilirubin values (P-value = 0.01547), suggesting that the latter could potentially have an influence on the former.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral infections among blood donors of Central Karnataka, India.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) & Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are transfusion transmissible infections. Observation of the trend in seroprevalence is useful to plan preventive measures. Aims & Objective: To study trend of seroprevalence of HBV & HCV infections among blood donors with respect to type of the donor, age, sex and blood group of the donor. Material and Methods: A study was conducted from January 2005 to December 2009 at the blood bank of tertiary care Medical College Hospital, serving people of Central Karnataka. Blood units collected from eligible blood donors were subjected to ELISA for screening for hepatitis B surface antigen and IgG antibodies to Hepatitis C virus. Prevalence of HBV and HCV infections was noted using SPSS version 13 statistical package in relation to type of donor, age, sex and blood group of donor. Significance of the trend was determined by chi square test. Results: A total of 19,413 blood donors were screened, the seroprevalence of HBV & HCV infection was 2.12% & 0.1% respectively. HBV infection was more prevalent among replacement donors. Decrease in seroprevalence of HBV & HCV infections was noted from 2005 to 2009. Conclusion: To reduce the prevalence of post-transfusion hepatitis, stringent donor screening procedure and 100% voluntary blood donations may be effective. Routine screening for HBV & HCV in blood banks should be performed using more sensitive methods.

Is it necessary to delay antiviral therapy for 3-6 months to anticipate HBeAg seroconversion in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B in endemic areas of HBV genotype C?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion occurs frequently in the immune reactive phase in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Therefore, observation for 3-6 months before commencing antiviral therapy is recommended in patients with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels that exceed twice the upper limit of normal (ULN). However, HBeAg seroconversion occurs infrequently in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the waiting policy is necessary in endemic areas of HBV genotype C infection. METHODS: Ninety patients with HBeAg-positive CHB were followed prospectively without administering antiviral therapy for 6 months. Antiviral therapy was initiated promptly at any time if there was any evidence of biochemical (i.e., acute exacerbation of HBV infection or aggravation of jaundice) or symptomatic deterioration. After 6 months of observation, antiviral therapy was initiated according to the patient's ALT and HBV DNA levels. RESULTS: Only one patient (1.1%) achieved spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion. Biochemical and symptomatic deterioration occurred before 6 months in 17 patients (18.9%) and 5 patients, respectively. High ALT and HBV DNA levels were both independent risk factors for biochemical deterioration. Of 15 patients with HBV DNA > or =5.1x107 IU/mL and ALT > or =5xULN, biochemical deterioration occurred in 7 (46.7%), including 1 patient receiving liver transplantation due to liver failure. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB is rare within 6 months. Biochemical deterioration was common and may lead to liver failure. Immediate antiviral therapy should be considered, especially in patients with high ALT and HBV DNA levels in endemic areas of genotype C infection.

Hepatopatología para gastroenterólogos y hepatólogos. Tercera parte: patología de la enfermedad hepática necroinflamatoria crónica / Hepatology for Gastroenterologists and Hematologists. Part Three: pathology of chronic necroinflammatory liver disease

En la interpretación de una biopsia hepática, las enfermedades necroinfl amatorias hepáticas están entre laspatologías halladas más a menudo, y en el estudio histopatológico es habitual enfrentarse a varias preguntasal respecto: ¿Qué es? ¿Qué tan grave es la enfermedad? ¿Qué es lo que el clínico espera? Se buscará eneste artículo dar respuesta a tales preguntas.

Necroinfl ammatory liver diseases are one of the most frequently encountered pathologies when interpreting a liver biopsy. In a histopathological study, we faced several questions including: What is it? How severe is the illness? And what does the clinician expect? This article attempts to answer these questions.

Hepatitis B - Methods of Sterilization And Disinfection.

Hepatitis b is a slow killer and hence its potence is knowingly ignored. India has the second largest pool of HBV carriers. Hepatitis B causes health threat to dentists and orthodontic patients. In this article we would be describing the various methods of sterilization and disinfection of orthodontic clinic and instruments which protects both patient and orthodontist.