Occult HBV infection in Morocco: from chronic hepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma. (11th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kitab, Bouchra; Ezzikouri, Sayeh; Alaoui, Rhimo; Nadir, Salwa; Badre, Wafaa; Trepo, Christian; Chemin, Isabelle; Benjelloun, Soumaya
• Is Part Of: Liver international. Volume 34:Number 6(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: e144
• Page End: e150
• Publication Date: 2014-03-11
• Subjects: Liver -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.362
• DOI: 10.1111/liv.12482
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1478-3223

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="liv12482-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="liv12482-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background & Aims</title> <p>Morocco is one of low to intermediate endemic areas for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, but no reports have been published on Occult HBV infection (OBI). To determine the prevalence of OBI and its clinical impact among patients with cryptogenic and HCV‐related chronic liver disease in Morocco.</p> </sec> <sec id="liv12482-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A total of 152 HBsAg‐negative patients (60 patients with cryptogenic hepatitis and 92 HCV carriers) were enrolled in this study. Sera collected from all patients were tested for anti‐HBc and anti‐HBs antibodies. OBI was assessed in serum and liver tissue samples using highly sensitive PCR assays targeting Surface, X and core regions of the HBV genome and confirmed by Southern blot hybridization.</p> </sec> <sec id="liv12482-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A high rate of anti‐HBc positivity was found among patients with HCV infection (57/92, 61.95%) compared to those with cryptogenic hepatitis (24/60, 40%) (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.034). A high prevalence of OBI was found among patients with HCV infection (42/92, 45.65%) compared to those with cryptogenic hepatitis (17/60, 28.3%) (<italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.013). In both groups, the prevalence of OBI increased in parallel with advancing stage of liver disease (χ2 = 6.73; <italic>P </italic>=<italic> </italic>0.0095). The highest proportion of OBI was reached among HCV‐related HCC cases (62.5%). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that older age (≥56 years), positivity for anti‐HBc and presence of OBI were independent risk factors for the development of HCC in HCV‐infected patients.</p> </sec> <sec id="liv12482-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>This study helps to understand the current status of OBI and its impact on the severity of liver disease in Moroccan patients.</p> </sec> </abstract>