Screening of hepatitis B- and C- viral markers in Iraqi patients with proteinuria

ABSTRACT

Viral hepatitis may lead to nephropathy as one of its multiple extra hepatic manifestations. Symptomatic proteinuria as detected by dipstick, and qualitative urine collection are simple tests in practice as well as useful cardinal test of underlying renal abnormalities. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of hepatitis B virus [HBV] and/or hepatitis C virus [HCV] infections on the occurrence of symptomatic proteinuria amongst adults and pediatrics. A prospective study included [143] adult and pediatric Iraqi patients presented with symptomatic proteinuria, and 108 [age- and sex-matched] apparently healthy individuals [as control group] who were serologically screened for HBV and HCV markers using third generation Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] techniques, screening for HIV by ELISA and other related immunological and biochemical profile. It was found that the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], anti hepatitis B core antibody [anti-HBc-IgM], anti hepatitis B surface antibody [anti-HBs] and anti hepatitis C antibody [anti-HCV] in the proteinuria group as compared to control group, were [7.0% vs. 0.9%, P<0.05] for HBsAg, [2.8% vs. 0%, P>0.05] for anti-HBc-IgM, [20.3% vs. 23.1%, P>0.05] for anti-HBs antibody, and [6.3% vs. 0%, P<0.01] for anti-HCV. Our study demonstrated a significant association between proteinuria and HCV, and HBV infection in the adult and pediatric population. The interpretation of serological patterns of viral hepatitis markers in patients with newly diagnosed proteinuria are important, it might suggest that detailed urinalysis and qualitative urine protein assessment is mandatory when managing patients with HCV or with HBV infections