Prevalence of Hepatitis B e-Antigen among Hepatitis B positive subjects in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a common cause of liver disease throughout the world. Cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma develop in 15–40% of chronically infected hepatitis B virus individuals. HBV is transmitted through blood and other body fluids, including semen and saliva. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBeAg amongst HBsAg positive subjects in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi (NAUTH) . This study was a cross sectional study and data were collected through oral interview and questionnaire. Five milliliters of blood was collected aseptically from the antecubital veins of consenting 100 HBsAg positive subjects into sterile containers free of anticoagulants. The sample was separated by low- speed centrifugation and the serum obtained was analyzed for HBsAg and HBeAg using diagnostic HBsAg panel kit (Diagnostic Automation/ Cortez Diagnostic Inc, USA). The result showed 6% HBeAg prevalence among the 100 HBsAg-positive patients in NAUTH. The HBsAg patients that tested positive for HBeAg were all males. The study concluded low prevalence of HBeAg among HBsAg patients in NAUTH.

Prevalence of hepatitis B, D and C virus infections among children and pregnant women in Moldova: additional evidence supporting the need for routine hepatitis B vaccination of infants

Rates of acute hepatitis B are high in Moldova, but the prevalence of chronic infection is unknown. In 1994, we surveyed children and pregnant women, collected demographic information, and drew blood for laboratory testing. Among the 439 children (mean age, 5 years), the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were 17·1 and 6·8%, respectively. Among the 1098 pregnant women (mean age, 26 years), 52·4% were anti-HBc-positive and 9·7% were HBsAg-positive. Of the HBsAg-positive pregnant women, 35·6% were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive and 18·3% had antibodies to hepatitis D virus. The prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus was 1·4% in children and 2·3% in pregnant women. The high HBeAg prevalence among HBsAg-positive pregnant women and the high anti-HBc prevalence among children indicate that both perinatal and early childhood transmission contribute to the high hepatitis B virus endemicity in Moldova.