Hepatitis B virus markers in schistosomiasis patients in a village menoufia governorate, Egypt, and their response to praziquantel

ABSTRACT

200 schistosomiasis patients living in a rural area in Monoufia Governorate were randomly chosen and tested for hepatitis B virus markers. They were randomly allocated into two groups. Group 1 [100 patients] were treated by a curative dose of 10 mg/kg body weight praziquantel and re-evaluated 6 months later. Group 2 [100 patients] were investigated at the beginning and 6 months later, then given the treatment. A third group [100 normal persons] was used as control. HBsAg incidence rate was 15.7% and anti-HBc incidence was 32.7% in the total population studied. The rates of HBsAg were 20%, 18% and 9% and that of anti-Hbc were 37%, 38% and 23% for the three groups respectively. By the end of the study, the rates for HBsAg were 10%, 22% and 13% and that of anti-HBc 41%, 48% and 32% respectively. From this study, it is concluded that HBs antigenemia and infection rate as indicated by anti-HBc are more common in schistosomiasis patients especially the more advanced hepatosplenomegalic stages. Treatment by praziquantel especially in the early intestinal stage could lead to loss of HBs antigenemia reducing the incidence of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and the possible hepatocellular carcinoma