Exuberant case of erythema elevatum diutinum in a patient infected with HIV and hepatitis B virus

Abstract Erythema elevatum diutinum is a small vessel vasculitis which is benign, rare, and chronic. It is clinically characterized by violaceous, brown, or yellowish plaques, nodules, and papules. It has been associated with autoimmune, infectious, and neoplastic processes. The following case describes a patient with hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus with CD4 count < 200 mm3, HIV-seropositive for 16 years, and diagnosed with hepatitis B virus at the hospital. The patient was treated with oral dapsone 100 mg/day, showing regression after seven months of treatment. The authors found three cases in the literature of association of erythema elevatum diutinum, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis B virus.

Viral Outcome in Patients with Occult HBV Infection or HCV-Ab Positivity Treated for Lymphoma

ABSTRACT HBV and HCV reactivation has been widely reported in patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for oncohaematological diseases. We aimed to evaluate the HBV and HCV reactivation events in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) underwent cytotoxic chemotherapy containing or not rituximab. This is a retrospective observational study, including all patients with NHL and HL attending an Italian tertiary referral hospital, the University of Naples "Federico II". A total of 322 patients were enrolled. We evaluated serum HBV and HCV markers. A total of 47 (38%) patients with occult HBV infection were enrolled. Seven/47 were treated with therapeutic cytotoxic schedule containing rituximab. Of them, 6/7 received prophylaxis with lamivudine. HBV reactivation was observed in two patients treated with rituximab. A reactivation was observed in the only patient (HBcAb+/HBsAb+) not receiving lamivudine prophylaxis, and the other one was observed in 1 patient with isolated HBcAb positivity during lamivudine prophylaxis. Moreover, 8 patients with HCV-Ab positivity were enrolled. No viral reactivation was observed in these patients. In conclusion, patients with occult HBV infection receiving chemotherapy containing rituximab for lymphoma without antiviral prophylaxis are at risk of viral reactivation. On the contrary, there is no risk of reactivation in patients undergoing rituximab-free schedule. Our findings suggest that there is also very low risk of HCV reactivation. This preliminary report underlines the concept that HBV reactivation is strongly related to the type of immunosuppressive therapy administered and that antiviral prophylaxis needs to be tailored.

Occult hepatitis B infection in Egyptian health care workers

We tested the frequency of occult hepatitis B infection [OBI] among Egyptian healthcare workers [HCWs]. We tested 132 HCWs for hepatitis B virus [HBV] DNA by nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR], and hepatitis C virus antibody [anti-HCV] by ELISA. HCV RNA was measured by nested PCR in anti-HCV-positive HCWs. HBV-DNA-positive HCWs were subjected to HBV genotyping. We included 132 HCWs who were negative for hepatitis B surface antigen and positive for hepatitis B core antibody [anti-HBc]. OBI was detected in 7 male HCWs, and HBV E genotype was detected in 3, HBV D in 2 and HBV D and E in 2. Two OBI-positive HCWs had a history of neonatal hepatitis B vaccination. Anti-HCV seropositivity was detected in 17 HCWs who were positive for anti-HBc; 15 of whom were positive for HCV RNA by nested PCR. HCV infection was confirmed by anti-HCV and HCV RNA in 1 of 7 HCWs with OBI. In conclusion, Egyptian HCWs have a significant rate of OBI and HBV E genotype is prevalent

Avaliação de mutações de resistência ao tratamento com análogos de nucleos(t)ídeos e de escape vacinal do vírus da hepatite B (VHB) em pacientes com hepatite crônica / Evaluation of treatment resistance mutations with nuclei analogues (t) ide and vaccine escape the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients with chronic hepatitis

INTRODUÇÃO: A hepatite B (VHB) é uma infecção dinâmica crônica, que apesar de existir programas de imunização e tratamento antiviral disponível, existe o risco de emergência de mutações de resistência aos análogos de núcleos(t)ídeos (AN) que devem ser rastreadas, devido as suas implicações clínicas. O Brasil disponibiliza pelo SUS cinco drogas para o tratamento antiviral: IFN, LAM, ADF, ETV e TDF e um guia de conduta clínica para orientar o tratamento no território nacional, o Protocolo de Diretrizes Terapêuticas para Hepatite B e co-infecções. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as mutações de resistência aos AN, mutações de escape vacinal e genótipos circulantes em pacientes com hepatite B crônica em dois centros de referencia em Hepatites, na Bahia (região Nordeste) e no Acre (região Norte) do Brasil. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foi utilizadas ferramentas de biologia molecular e bioinformática, através de nested PCR e sequenciamento direto das amostras, para rastrear as mutações de resistência, a região alvo foi a transcriptase reversa (RT) do gene P e as mutações de escape vacinal foi a região do gene S do VHB, como também os genótipos e subgenotipos do VHB. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 527 pacientes durante o período de 2011-2015, sendo 320 pacientes do HUPES/BA e 207 do FUNDHACRE/AC. Os pacientes que representam a região Nordeste foram 59,3 % do sexo masculino e uma média de idade de 44,75±12,4 DP, os pacientes da região Norte 42% foram do sexo masculino e a média de idade foi de 40,36±13,9 DP. Todos os pacientes incluídos apresentaram AgHBs persistente por mais de seis meses e 86,1% apresentaram AgHBe negativo. Foram sequenciadas 296 amostras dos pacientes com VHB crônica. Foram encontradas mutações de resistência aos AN na Região Norte 1,2% (2), Região Nordeste 7,4%(8) e no global 3,8%(20). Os padrões de mutações de resistência primária encontrados foram: rtA194T, (3) rtL180M+M204V, rtL180M+M204I, rtS202I, rtM204I, rtA181S, rtA181E e rtA184S. Em relação ao escape vacinal a frequencia para a Região Norte foi de 7,1% (11), Região Nordeste 8,4% (9) e no global 7,6% (20). Nos pacientes virgens de tratamento (n=189), a frequência de mutações de resistência foi de 6%, somente nas amostras da região Nordeste. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre o grupo com ou sem mutação dos pacientes virgens de tratamento. Não foram encontradas mutações de resistência nas amostras da região Norte. Os genótipos circulantes nas duas regiões foram A, D e F, e a região Nordeste foi encontrada o genótipo C (C2). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados demonstram a importância de rastrear e monitorar as mutações de resistência aos AN e de escape vacinal devido a importância epidemiológica e clínica na conduta terapêutica.

INTRODUTION: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a chronic dynamic infection, which although there immunization programs and antiviral therapy available, there is a risk of emergence of resistance mutations cores analogs (t) ide to be screened, because of their implications clinics. The Brazil offers the SUS five drugs for antiviral treatment: IFN, LAM, ADF, ETV and TDF and clinical guide of conduct to guide treatment in the country, the Therapeutic Guidelines Protocol for Hepatitis B and coinfections. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance mutations core analogues (t) ide, vaccine escape mutations and circulating genotypes in patients with chronic hepatitis B in two reference centers in Hepatitis, Bahia (Northeast) and Acre (Northern region) of Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Was used tools of molecular biology and bioinformatics by nested PCR and direct sequencing of samples to track resistance changes, the target region is the reverse transcriptase (RT) P gene and vaccine escape mutations was region of the gene S of HBV, as well as the HBV genotypes and subgenotipos. RESULTS: 527 patients were included during the period 2011-2015, with 320 patients HUPES / BA and 207 FUNDHACRE / AC. Patients representing the Northeast were 59.3% male and an average age of 44.75 ± 12.4 PD patients in the northern region 42% were male and the average age was 40, 36 ± 13.9 DP. All patients had persistent HBsAg for more than six months and 86.1% were HBeAg negative. We were sequenced 296 samples from patients with chronic HBV. the cores of similar resistance mutations were found (t) ide in the North 1.2% (2), Northeast 7.4% (8) and 3.8% overall (20). The patterns of primary resistance mutations were: rtA194T (3) rtL180M + M204V, M204I + rtL180M, rtS202I, rtM204I, rtA181S, and rtA181E rtA184S. Regarding vaccine escape the frequency for the Northern Region was 7.1% (11), Northeast 8.4% (9) and the global 7.6% (20). In treatment-naïve patients (n = 189), the frequency of resistance mutations was 6%, only the samples in the Northeast. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with or without mutation of naive patients. There were no resistance mutations in samples from the North. Circulating genotypes in the two regions A, D and F, and the Northeast found the C genotype (C2). CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the importance of tracking and monitoring the resistance mutations similar cores (t) ide and vaccine escape due to epidemiological and clinical importance in the therapeutic approach.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related liver cirrhosis is increasing in China: A ten-year retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about metabolic factors in cirrhotic patients in China. Therefore, we aimed to quantify the prevalence of both metabolic factors and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related liver cirrhosis in China. METHODS: The medical records of 1,582 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis from June 2003 to July 2013 at Daping Hospital (Chongqing, China) were retrospectively reviewed through a computer-generated search. RESULTS: Serum hepatitis B virus surface antigen was present in 1,083 (68.5%) patients, and hepatitis B was found to be the only etiological factor in 938 (59.3%) of all patients. Obesity, diabetes mellitus, and arterial hypertension were observed in 229 (14.5%), 159 (10.1%), and 129 (8.2%) patients, respectively. From 2012-2013, the proportion of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related liver cirrhosis increased to 3.2%, whereas the average proportion of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related liver cirrhosis in the previous ten years was 1.9%. The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was much higher in males than in females (6.3% vs. 3.7%, respectively, p=0.036). Obesity and diabetes mellitus did not significantly increase the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in the whole cirrhotic group. The presence of hepatitis B virus was the only risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although hepatitis B virus remains the main etiology of liver cirrhosis in China, steatohepatitis-related liver cirrhosis is increasing in frequency. Hepatitis B virus was the sole significant risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma in the whole cirrhotic group in the present study, in contrast to obesity and diabetes mellitus, for which only a trend of increased hepatocellular carcinoma was found. .

Molecular Characterization of Hepatitis B Virus Circulating in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Carriers in Côte d’Ivoire from 2010 to 2013.

Background: Africa and Asia remain the continent most affected by viral hepatitis B with more than1 million deaths per year. These deaths are due to complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Several studies have shown that the rate of progression of hepatitis B to cirrhosis and liver cancer is related to the virus genotypes. Previous analyses of hepatitis B virus genome have revealed 10 genotypes (A-J) with distinct geographical distribution worldwide. Some studies have shown that the genotype E is predominant in West Africa. In Côte d'Ivoire, few data exist on the genotypes circulating. The presence of genotypes A, B, C and E has been proven but not their involvement in the development of liver complications. Aim of Study: To determine the hepatitis B virus genotypes circulating in asymptomatic and symptomatic carriers and to establish correlation between genotypes and clinical outcome in Côte d’Ivoire. Place and Duration of Study: Patients were recruited in different hospitals in Côte d’Ivoire and study was conducted in the National Reference Center for Viral Hepatitis of the Institute Pasteur from April 2010 to February 2013. Methodology: The study examined samples from 754 subjects using serological and molecular techniques. PCR and multiplex-nested PCR, using type-specific primers, were carried out to determine genotypes of hepatitis B virus in the study samples. Results: Hundred thirty nine were HBsAg-positive. Out of the 139, 49% were asymptomatic and 51% were symptomatic. Among the HBsAg-positive, the average age was 41years with 38.85% having HBV DNA in their blood samples. Sixty-four point eight percent of the latter were typeable with 97.1% as genotype E and 2.9% as genotype B. Conclusion: This study revealed a predominance of genotype E of HBV and revealed that genotype E was associated (P=0.03) with clinical Outcome.

Perfil das mutações de resistência do vírus da Hepatite B aos análogos de nucleos(t)ídeos entre pacientes com hepatite B crônica / Profile of resistance mutations of hepatitis B virus to analogs of nucleos (t) ide among patients with chronic hepatitis B

Introdução: A doença causada pelo vírus da hepatite B (HBV) é um problema de saúde pública mundial. No Brasil, o sistema único de saúde (SUS) tem disponibilizado drogas antivirais para o tratamento de hepatite B crônica há mais de 10 anos, mas um sistema para o monitoramento e avaliação de resistência a estas drogas ainda não está disponível. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar o perfil de mutações do HBV associadas com a resistência aos análogos de nucleos(t)ídeos entre 81 pacientes com infecção crônica pelo HBV: virgens de tratamento para hepatite B e tratados com diferentes análogos de nucleosídeos e nucleotídeos, no Hospital Professor Edgar Santos (HUPES-UFBA)- Salvador-BA. Metodologia: O HBV-DNA foi isolado de amostras de soro, amplificado por nested-PCR, utilizando-se primers deduzidos da região flaqueadora da domínio rt do gene P e sequenciados (ABI Prism 3730, Applied Biosystems, EUA). Duas a seis sequências de cada isolado foram alinhados e os sítios conflitantes foram resolvidos usando o software CLC Main Workbench v. 5.0 por inspeção visual dos eletroferogramas. As sequências consenso tinham um tamanho de 1032 pb (compreendendo os aminoácido 1-344 da rt)...

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a public health issue. The Brazilian public health system (SUS) has provided antiviral drugs for chronic hepatitis B treatment for over 10 years, but a system for monitoring for drug-related resistance mutations is not available. Objective: This study aims to determine the presence of HBV mutations associated with resistance to nucleos(t)ide analogs among 81 patients with chronic HBV infection-naïve and treated from University Hospital Professor Edgard Santos, Salvador-BA (HUPES-UFBA). Methods: Briefly, HBV-DNA was PCR amplified with primers deduced from the flanking of the rt domain at the HBV P gene and sequenced using ABI Prism 3730 (Applied Biosystems, USA). From two to six forward and reverse sequences of each isolate were assembled and conflicting sites were resolved using software CLC Main Workbench v. 5.0 by visual inspection of the electropherograms. Consensus sequence extended 1032 bp and encompassed the entire rt domain (from amino acid 1 to 344)...

Hepatitis-B virus infection; to describe the clinical presentation in children

To describe the clinical presentations of hepatitis B virus infection in children. Children presenting with symptoms of liver diseases and other diseases who were found to be HBsAg positive by screening or ELISA method were enrolled. Children suffering from thalassemia, hemophilia and hemolytic anemia, which need multiple transfusions, were excluded. On the basis of history, examination and investigations the clinical presentation of the patient was categorized. Basic demographic data, relevant clinical history, physical examination, lab investigations and clinical presentations category were entered in the predesigned proforma. As this is the descriptive study, no hypothesis were required. Descriptive case series. Paediatric unit-2 Nishtar Hospital Multan. 16[th] May 2012 to 15th November 2012. Study results consist of relative frequencies of different clinical presentations of HBsAg positive patients. Fifty children who were HBsAg positive were enrolled in a six month period. Out of 50 patients, 21 [42%] were of hepatic encephalopathy, 14 [28%] were with acute hepatitis, 12 [24%] were cirrhosis, 2 [4%] were asymptomatic carrier and 1 [2%] was presented with chronic hepatitis B. There were 40 [80%] males and 10 [20%] females. The overall male to female ratio was 4:1. Most common presentation was hepatic encephalopathy which has a very bad prognosis, next comes the acute hepatitis and then cirrhosis. There is another inference that males are more and severely affected by hepatitis-B virus infection

Aspectos clínicos y epidemiológicos de pacientes con carcinoma hepatocelular en dos centros de referencia de Venezuela / Clinical and epidemiological aspects of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in two reference centers Venezuela

El carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) es la neoplasia primaria del hígado más frecuente, constituyendo un problema mundial de salud pública por su alta prevalencia y tasa de mortalidad. Evaluar las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los pacientes con carcinoma hepatocelular. Estudio de casos consecutivos con revisión retrospectiva de los registros médicos de pacientes con diagnóstico de CHC que acudieron a la consulta de hepatología de dos centros caraqueños entre 1997 y 2011. Se evaluaron características clínicas, epidemiológicas y de estadiaje según Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer, BCLC. Se incluyó 116 pacientes con diagnóstico de CHC. La edad media fue 61,34 ± 12,02 años, 75% eran hombres y 89,7% de los pacientes tenían cirrosis hepática subyacente, siendo confirmada histológicamente en 33,7%. El 70,7% de los pacientes tenían alguna complicación asociada a hipertensión portal. El virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) constituyó la principal etiología de enfermedad hepática (31%), alcohol (21,6%), virus de la hepatitis B, VHB (14,7%) y enfermedad hepática grasa no alcohólica (14,7%). El hepatocarcinoma fue diagnosticado más frecuentemente en pacientes con cirrosis por HBV 15,56%. El 56% de los casos tenían niveles de alfafetoproteína mayores de 300 ng/ml. El lóbulo derecho fue la localización más frecuente (64,7%) y 79,3% de las lesiones mostraron patrón vascular típico en los estudios radiológicos. El estadio tumoral según los criterios de Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) fueron estadio C (37,9%) D (25,9%), B (24,1%), A (7,8%) y 0 (2,6%). La infección por HCV es la etiología más frecuente de cirrosis hepática en pacientes con CHC, pero la infección por VHB tiene mayor impacto en términos relativos. El diagnóstico se hace en forma tardía (estadios intermedios o avanzados), siendo necesario intensificar medidas de pesquisa en estos pacientes

The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the main primary liver neoplasia and is a public health problem in the world due to high prevalence and mortality. Evaluate clinical and epidemiological characteristics in patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of 116 patients with diagnosis of HCC in two centers of Caracas between 1997 and 2011 was conducted. We evaluated epidemiological, clinical, biochemical and tumor aspects according to Barcelona Clínic Liver Cancer in patients with HCC. Mean age was 61.34 ± 12.02 years, 75% were male and 89.7% of patients had liver cirrhosis. Portal hypertension complications (ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, esophageal varices) were present in 70.7% of patients. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was the main etiology of hepatic disease (31%) followed by alcohol (21.6%), hepatitis B virus (14.7%) and non alcoholic steatohepatitis (14.7%). HCC was more frequent in patients with cirrhosis associated to HBV infection. The 56% of patients had alpha-fetoprotein levels higher than 300 ng/ml. The 64.7% of tumors were localized in the right lobe of liver and 79.3% of tumor lesions demonstrated typical pattern in radiologic studies. The most patients had advanced disease according to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging classification (Stage C, 37.9%; stage D, 25.9%; stage B, 24.1%; stage A, 7.8% and stage 0, 2.6%). HCV infection was main cause of cirrhosis in patients with HCC, but HBV infection had higher impact in these patients. Our study showed that the diagnosis of these patients undergo late and is very important intensify screening measures in patients with liver cirrhosis

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Related Liver Cirrhosis: Community-Acquired versus Nosocomial

PURPOSE: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) frequently develops in patients with liver cirrhosis; however, there is little data to suggest whether the acquisition site of infection influences the prognosis. This study compared the bacteriology, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of community-acquired SBP (CA-SBP) and nosocomial SBP (N-SBP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 130 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver cirrhosis, who had experienced a first episode of SBP between January 1999 and December 2008, were reviewed. RESULTS: The study population included 111 (85.4%) patients with CA-SBP and 19 (14.6%) patients with N-SBP. Baseline and microbiological characteristics as well as clinical course, including in-hospital mortality, did not differ between patients with CA-SBP and those with N-SBP (all p>0.05). The median survival time was 6.5 months, and 117 (90.0%) patients died during the follow-up period. Patients with CA-SBP and N-SBP survived for median periods of 6.6 and 6.2 months, respectively, without significant difference (p=0.569). Time to recurrence did not differ between patients with CA-SBP and N-SBP (4.7 vs. 3.6 months, p=0.925). CONCLUSION: The acquisition site of infection did not affect clinical outcomes for patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis who had experienced their first episode of SBP. Third-generation cephalosporins may be effective in empirically treating these patients, regardless of the acquisition site of the infection.

Variabilidad genética del virus hepatitis B y su significado clínico / Genetic variability hepatitis b virus, the clinical meaning

The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the prototype member of the Hepadnaviridae family, which can cause acute or chronic hepatic illness. The virus has a partially double-stranded DNA genome of3.2 kb. Molecular variations and change in the genome over time have resulted in the emergence of at least eight genotypes and multiple subgenotypes. The distribution of HBV genotypes varies widely across geographic regions, been the genotype F the most prevalent in Chile. In recent years, substantial progress has been made toward understanding the epidemiology and virologic significance of HBV variants. Actually, accumulating evidence suggests that hepatitis B genotypes and subgenotypes can influence the severity, course and likelihood of complications, and response to treatment of HBV infection and possibly vaccination against the virus.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection among anti-HBc only positive individuals in the southeast of Iran in high prevalence of HBV icfection region

The persistence of HBV-DNA in the serum of hepatitis B surface antigen negative individuals with or without the presence of HBV antibodies is termed occult HBV infection. From April 2005 to November 2006, we evaluated 110 patients who had only a positive test for anti-HBc. Out of 110 anti-HBc positive samples, HBV-DNA was detected in three cases. Positive samples for HBV-DNA had a level normal of ALT. HBV-DNA can be detected among anti-HBc only positive samples. Therefore, further testing for detection of HBV-DNA is recommended on each anti-HBc only positive individual

Hepatitis B knowledge and vaccination levels in California Hmong youth: implications for liver cancer prevention strategies.

Although chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major risk factors for liver cancer, the level of knowledge about liver cancer risk factors and HBV transmission, as well as vaccination have not been assessed in this population. We interviewed Hmong youth living in Fresno, California about liver cancer risk factors. General knowledge of HBV was common, but knowledge of specific modes of transmission was low. For example, only 49% knew that HBV was transmitted by sexual intercourse. We also observed very low prevalence of HBV vaccination (12%), although a majority reported knowing that shots can prevent disease (68%). Liver cancer prevention and control methods targeted to Hmong youth are needed.

High prevalence of transfusion-transmitted virus infection in patients with chronic liver diseases in an endemic area of hepatitis B and C virus

To determine the prevalence and clinical impact of transfusion-transmitted virus [TTV] DNA in patients with chronic liver diseases in the Southeast Anatolia region of Turkey where hepatitis B and C viral infections are endemic. Subjects and Patients diagnosed with chronic liver disease by clinical, biochemical and histologic means were enrolled in the study. Serum samples of 60 patients [19 males, 41 females] with chronic liver diseases, and of 45 healthy volunteer blood donors as a control group were collected. The chronic liver disease group consisted of 11 patients with hepatitis B, 44 with hepatitis C and 5 with chronic liver disease of unknown etiology. Presence of TTV DNA was investigated by the polymerase chain reaction. Using a scoring system histological grading of inflammation and staging of fibrosis were performed only in the chronic hepatitis C group. TTV DNA was detected in 47 [78%] patients with chronic liver disease and 5 [11%] volunteers in the control group. The difference was statistically significant [p < 0.001]. Ten of the 11 [91%] patients with hepatitis B, 32 of 44 [73%] of those with hepatitis C-related chronic liver disease, and 5 of 5 [100%] of the patients with cryptogenic liver disease were positive for TTV DNA. TTV is highly prevalent in patients with chronic liver diseases in Southeast Anatolia, Turkey but no pathogenic effect attributable to TTV infection was detected

Hepatitis B in health care personnel

The exposure of health care personnel to blood, its products and carriers of Hepatitis B is much greater as compared to other segments of population. This study gives prevalence of past exposure and carrier state of HBV in health care personnel of our setup. It has been seen in our study that the nurses and laboratory workers are the worst affected. Two hundred and thirty one health care personnel [155 laboratory workers, 28 members of dental staff and 48 operation theatre staff] were tested for their ongoing HBV carrier state [HBsAg] and evidence for exposure to HBV in the past.Out of these 92 [39.8%] showed evidence of exposure to the virus in the past by being antiHBc positive.Out of the exposed persons 18 [7.7% of the total] were the HBsAg carriers and 61 [26.4%] had already developed immunity against the HBV by virtue of being anti-HBs positive