Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in first-time blood donors in the southwestern region of Goiás, central Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in populations from inner cities, especially in Central Brazil. Thus the objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HBV infection, and to analyze the factors associated with HBV infection, in a population of first-time blood donors in the southwestern region of Goiás, Central Brazil. METHODS: A total of 984 individuals were interviewed and gave blood samples to detect serological markers of HBV (HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: An overall prevalence of 6.9 percent was found for HBV, with constituent prevalence rates of 3.6 percent and 11.6 percent, in subjects classified as fit and unfit to donate blood according the epidemiological screening, respectively. Only three individuals were positive for anti-HBs alone, suggesting previous vaccination against HBV. The variables of prior blood transfusion (OR = 2.3), tattoo/piercing (OR = 2.1), illicit drug use (OR = 2.3), sex with a partner with hepatitis (OR = 14.7), and history of sexually transmitted diseases (OR = 2.9) were independently associated with HBV-positivity. These data suggested a low endemicity of hepatitis B in the studied population. CONCLUSION: The findings of low hepatitis B immunization coverage and the association of hepatitis B with risky behavior highlight that there is a need to intensify hepatitis B prevention programs in the southwest region of Goiás.

Clinical and Pathologic Features of Primary Hepatic Carcinoma Associated with Hepatitis B Virus / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathologic features of primary hepatic carcinoma(PHC) associated with hepatitis B virus,HBV). Methods 200 cases of the patients with PHC were diagnosed by histopathologic examination and surgery. The history of HBV infection, its infective patterns and abnomal liver function were obtained from the medical history, and the tests of liver function and HBV five markers. The pathologic features of PHC associated with HBV were determined by analysis of histopathologic changes and views of surgery. Results The markers of HBV were positive in 181 out of 200 cases with PHC, and the positive rate of HBV infection was 90.5%. The postitive rate of HBsAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc was the highest among the five markers of HBV (50.83%). The positive rate of HBsAg and HBeAg and anti-HBc was only 4.97%. The PHC patients without history of HBV infection and asymptomatic carriers of HBV accounted for 61.33% and 6.63%, respectively. The cases with cured hepatitis and no relapse accounted for 8.29%. The cases with chronic hepatitis B and with liver cirrhosis accounted for 22.10% and 1.66%, respectively. Liver functions were slightly abnomal in approximately one-half patients with PHC. Histopathologic features were as following: HCC accounted for 91.95%, and nodular type, macro-type and small hepatic carcinomas accounted for 55.25%, 30.94% and 13.81%,respectively. The distributions of PHC were mainly in right lobe of liver. The incidence of venous cancer embolism was 12.71%. The incidence of liver cirrhosis was 83.32%. Conclusions ⑴There was relationship between HBV and PHC. The main infective pattern of HBV was the positive HBsAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc;⑵Pathologic lesion of liver was hidden after infection of HBV;⑶The incidence of active cirrhosis was high; and ⑷There were many pathologic features in patients with PHC associated with HBV.

Clinical significance of liver biopsy for chronic hepatitis B with persistently normal transaminases / 中华消化杂志

Objective The histological features of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with persistently normal serum transaminases has not been will studied. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical significance of liver biopsy for these patients. Methods A total of 452 HBsAg positive patients and clinical course of more than six months undergone percutaneous liver biopsy. All liver biopsy specimens were assessed by experienced liver pathologists blinded to the liver biochemistry and scored according to standard criteria. Results None of patients had normal liver pathology. Patients with elevated serum transaminases had significant higher degree of hepatic necrosis inflammation grade (G) and fibrosis stage (S) compared with pateitns with normal transaminase ( P