ABSTRACT
In order to describe the respective part of viral hepatitis in liver diseases observed in Cambodia and Vietnam, ninety consecutive patients with Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > or = 100 Ul/l were tested for hepatitis A, B, C and E markers in Phnom Penh and Nha Trang. The markers were IgM antibodies to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV IgM), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCVAb) and IgG antibodies to hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV IgG). Recruited patients were predominantly adults and male (sex ratio 76%). Among these patients, 81% were tested positive to at least one marker in Nha Trang and 79% in Phnom Penh. In Nha Trang, HBsAg was more frequent (73%) than anti-HCV Ab (9%) while in Phnom Penh both markers were closely similar (HBsAg: 41%, anti-HCV Ab: 39%). In both population samples, HBsAg was more prevalent among young people whereas anti-HCV Ab were only detected in adults. No case of acute HAV infection was diagnosed in Nha Trang while anti-HAV IgM were detected in 20% of Cambodian patients. Anti-HEV IgG were infrequent (2% in Nha Trang, 5.5% in Phnom Penh). Only one case was notified, a male Vietnamese patient probably suffering from acute hepatitis E. More studies would be useful to improve the control measures against viral hepatitis in the public health programs.
Subject(s)
Alanine Transaminase/blood , Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood , Hepatitis A virus/immunology , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood , Hepatitis C Antibodies/blood , Hepatitis E/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin M/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Biomarkers/blood , Cambodia/epidemiology , Child , Female , Hepatitis, Viral, Human/blood , Hepatitis, Viral, Human/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Vietnam/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Toxoplasmosis is a neglected disease in Vietnam particularly in populations with a high risk of developing complications. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii was calculated by testing blood samples for Toxoplasma specifically immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M on 300 intravascular drug users and on 300 pregnant women. Among intravascular drug users, the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM was 7.7% and 0.08%, respectively. In pregnant women the prevalence of anti-toxoplasmosis IgG and IgM was respectively 11.2% and 0%. 0.28% of all estimated pregnancies in Vietnam are affected with toxoplasmosis, i.e. around 4800 pregnancies per year. In conclusion, a screening of Toxoplasma infections should be recommended in HIV/AIDS patients.
