Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses, HIV and syphilis infections among engaged couples

To evaluate seroprevalences of hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], and syphilis infections among engaged couples. This is a cross-sectional study of all engaged couples enrolled at 20 Health Centers and one Maternity Center of Sivas Health Directorate between May and September 2005 in Sivas, a central Anatolian city, in Turkey. Seroprevalances of hepatitis B [HB] surface antigen [HBsAg], hepatitis B surface antibody [anti-HBs], anti-hepatitis C virus [HCV], anti-human immunodeficiency virus [anti-HIV], and syphilis was assessed. Serum samples of 1,332 participants of 666 couples were investigated. Age range of subjects was 15-74, and most [38.4%] were between 25-29 years. Out of 1,332 individuals, 22 [1.7%] were HBsAg positive, 18 [1.4%] were anti-HBs positive, one [0.1%] was anti-HCV positive, one [0.1%] was HIV positive, and one [0.1%] was syphilis positive. There was no statistical differences between their seroprevalence positivities regarding gender and age groups [p>0.05]. In our country, couples should obtain a marriage certificate that includes a health report that contains the tests mentioned above. We think that this is a very good screening model for important infections. In couples all around the world, screening of these infections needs to be performed before marriage to be aware of the risks

Prevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV - 1,2 and HTLV - I/II infections among blood donors in a teaching hospital in the central region of Saudi Arabia.

Several infectious diseases are transmissible by blood transfusion, especially viral infections. The most common blood-transmitted viruses are hepatitis B virus [HBV], hepatitis C virus [HCV] and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]. These viruses cause fatal, chronic and life-threatening disorders. The prevalence of these viruses varies by nationality and geography. The purpose of this study was to establish the current prevalence of hepatitis viruses [B and C] and human retroviruses [HIV-1, 2 and human T-lymphotropic virus type I and II, HTLV-I /II] among blood donors at King Khalid University Hospital [KKUH], Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. Serological markers of HBV, HCV, HIV 1, 2 and HTLV-I/II were studied in 24173 [23952 males and 221 females], 20423 Saudi and 3750 non-Saudi blood donors, using commercially available kits, over a period of 3 years from January 2000 to December 2002 at KKUH, Riyadh, KSA. The prevalence of confirmed-positive test results of these viruses was evaluated among different gender, ages and nationalities. During the study period, prevalence rates of HBV and HCV infections were 1.5% and 0.4%, and zero for retroviral infections. The prevalence was not significantly higher in male than in female donors. Hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and anti-HCV positivity tend to increase with increase in age. The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV positivity was significantly more prevalent among non-Saudi compared to Saudi donors. This study highlights the prevalence rates of HBV and HCV among different groups. The prevalence varies from one group to another, being the lowest among Saudi and young donors. Therefore, extensive recruitment of Saudi and young donors should help ensure a long-term increase in the blood supply without jeopardizing safety

Changing pattern of hepatitis viral infection in Saudi Arabia in the last two decades

Information on the epidemiology of viral hepatitis B, C and A in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] has accumulated over the last two decades. We review the changing epidemiology of these infections and suggest possible strategies for eradication. We screened Saudi medical journals and Medline for reports dealing with hepatitis B, C and A, and analyzed official of blood donor screening data from the Ministry of Health [MOH] Central Blood Bank and the King Khalid University Hospital [KKUH] Blood Bank. Several studies from the 1980s found a high endemicity for HBV, with 5% to 10% of the population infected and prevalence varying from one region to another. In children [age 1 to 12 years], the prevalence was almost 7% in 1989, just before the addition of the HBV vaccine to the Extended Program of Immunization [EPI]. By 1997, the prevalence of HBV infection in children had declined to 0.3%. Blood donor results have also shown a steady decrease in HBV infection. At KKUH, prevalence declined from 3.7% in 1987 to 1.7% in 2000. Hepatitis C infection has also shown a marked decline among Saudi blood donors at KKUH, HAV infection among children has declined from 50% in 1989 to 25% in 1997, but the infection rate is still high, reaching 50% in a few regions. Hepatitis B, C, and A infection has declined in KSA in the last two decades by more than 50%. The reasons for this marked decline are multifactorial. An important reason is the adoption in the last two decades of the MOH strategy for prevention of viral hepatitis infection, which needs to continue. Improvements in the economic status of the population and the decline in illiteracy have also contributed to the decline in viral hepatitis infection

Intrafamilial spread of hepatitis C virus, A possible contributing factors for transmission

One hundred and fifty relatives of thirty HCV related CLD [as index cases] and one hundred healthy blood donors as a control group were included. By using ELISA-II, HCV antibodies were detected in 71 of the relatives and in 25 of the controls with a highly significant difference between the two groups. The highest prevalence [60%] was observed among spouses of the index cases versus 44.2% and 44% with offspring and siblings, respectively. A significant increase in anti HCV positivity with increasing ages of relatives and with the duration of marriage was observed. In addition of being relatives of HCV related CLD, history of tattooing, blood transfusion and parenteral anti-bilharzial treatment were significant risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. Long period of contact with the index case, high post bilharzial infection and high mean age could explain the high prevalence among relatives in this study

HBV and HCV among volunteer blood donors

During the period between April 1992 and May 1995, 3576 volunteer blood donors had their sera tested for: HBsAg, HCV [antibodies] by ELISA II and ALT. Sera with high ALT were retested for: ASA, AMA and Anti Bilharzial Antibodies. 80 volunteers were HBsAg positive [2.2%], among them only 3 cases [3.8%] had their ALT elevated. HCV antibodies were +ve in 312 [8.7%] volunteers, among them 39 cases had elevated ALT [12.6%]. 28 cases had their sera positive for both HBsAg and HCV Ab [0.8%], among them 4 cases had elevated ALT [14.3%]. 6 cases had their ALT elevated with all other tests -ve [HBsAg, HCV Ab, ASA, AMA and Anti Bilharzial Ab]. 1. There is significant reduction in the prevalence rate of HBV among Egyptians reflecting a significant increase in the health services. 2. Prevalence rate of HCV among the tested sample is much lower than previously recorded rates and this clarify the urgent need for a national project to estimate the true prevalence of HCV among different communities as it looks that the differences in the prevalence rate of HCV are due to the difference in the tested samples. 3. Most of HCV antibodies positive cases might be either: inactive cases or carriers. 4. ALT testing should not be used as a lone test for blood transfusion safety as most cases with HCV +ve antibodies had their ALT normal. 5. There is a possibility of the presence of Non -B Non-C virus among Egyptian blood donors. HBsAg = Hepatitis B Surface Antigen. HCV = Hepatitis C Virus. ALT = Alanine Amino-Transferase. ASA= Anti-Smooth Muscle Antibodies. AMA = Anti-Mitochondrial Antibodies. Ab = Antibody