Occult Hepatitis B virus infection among Egyptian hepatitis C virus seropositive and seronegative hemodialysis patients in Sohag government, Upper Egypt

ABSTRACT

Background: Hepatitis B virus [HBV] and hepatitis C virus [HCV] Infections are important and common causes of liver disease in end-stage renal failure [ESRF] in patients on haemodialysis [HD]. HBV is less endemic than HCV in Egypt [ranges from 2%-7%]. Although, the prevalence of HBV in haemodialysis patients has decreased significantly due to HBV vaccine and screening of blood donors, the immunosuppressive nature of renal disease often leads to chronicity of the HBV infection and an opportunity for nosocomial spread of the infection among dialysis patients. Haemodialysis patients are more risky to develop occult hepatitis B infection [OBI] due to an increased number of blood transfusions, frequent invasive procedures, difficulty in diagnosis of occult hepatitis B infection [OBI] and immunosuppression. Occult hepatitis B infection [OBI] is defined by the presence of HBV DNA in serum or liver tissue in the absence of HBsAg