Seroprevalence of hepatitis C and B among blood donors in Egypt: Minya Governorate, 2000-2008

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2009.12.016

American Journal of Infection Control

Volume 38, Issue 8, October 2010, Pages 640-641

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2009.12.016 Get rights and content

It is an interesting issue to study the prevalence of hepatitis C and B viruses in Egypt in the last decade. In this study, the overall hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody to hepatitis C virus prevalence were 1.65% and 9.02%, respectively. Antibody to hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B surface antigen prevalence estimates dropped from 11.06% to 6.3% (P = .001) and 1.24% to 1.17% (P = .2), respectively.

Section snippets

Methods

We analyzed data collected from the serology laboratory departments in Minya governorate from 2000 to 2008. Detection of HBsAg was done using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (Axiom, Germany). Detection of antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was done using the commercially available fourth generation HCV-Abs detection kit (HCV-Ab; Abbott Murex, Chicago, IL).

Statistical analysis

All data were evaluated with SPSS 12.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL). Differences in prevalence, gender, and

Results

We analyzed data from 211,772 blood samples collected from 2000 to 2008, and this after considering approximately 37,823 of repetitive donors, which correspond to 18% of blood donors once in calculation. The overall HBsAg and anti-HCV prevalence were 1.65% (3507/211,772), 9.02% (19113/211,772), respectively. Anti-HCV prevalence estimates dropped significantly from 11.06% to 6.3% (P = .001), and there was a decline in HBsAg prevalence from 1.24% to 1.17%, but there was no statistical

Discussion

This study confirms reports of large scale geographic heterogenicity in HCV prevalence in Egypt5, 6, 7, 8 because we found prevalence to be significantly lower in Minya governorate (Upper Egypt) (9.02%) opposed to previously published data about prevalence in Lower Egypt (∼15%),6, 7, 8 which in turn supports the hypothesis of parenteral anti-schistosomal therapy as the dominant force driving the HCV epidemic.¹⁰ There was a significantly higher prevalence of anti-HCV among rural populations

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The role of parenteral antischistosomal therapy in the spread of hepatitis C virus in Egypt
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Hepatitis B virus infection in upper and lower Egypt
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Cited by (28)

A pilot study of Livin gene and Yes-associated protein 1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma patients
2019, Heliyon
Citation Excerpt :
An estimated half million new cases are diagnosed each year world-wide with disease burden highest in developing countries (85% of all cases) (American Cancer Society, 2014). It was reported that 40%–80% of HCC cases have a positive HCV infection (Mittal and El-Serag., 2013) and its highest incidence in the world was found in Egypt (Khattab et al., 2010). A livin protein is a member of a large family of a related protein associated with tumor occurrence and development, called The inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) which consists of 8 members, termed baculoviral IAP repeat containing (BIRC) 1–8.
Livin gene and Yes-Associated Protein 1 (YAP1 (play a pivotal role in organ size control and tumorigenesis.
In the present pilot study, we investigate the expression of Livin gene and YAP1 in hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to other HCV patients and controls.
Methods: the studied patients were divided into three groups 30 patients in each group in addition to 30 healthy subjects as a control group. Relative quantification of Livin gene and YAP-1 were assessed by quantitative Real Time RT-PCR (qPCR) in all studied patients and healthy controls. other laboratory investigations were done including complete blood count (CBC),international normalized ratio (INR) as well as liver function tests and tumor markers.
Significant overexpression of Livin gene and YAP-1 was detected in HCC group followed by Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) untreated group then HCV treated group. The relative quantitation (RQ) of both genes showed positive correlation to the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level and a significant relation was found between higher level of Livin and YAP1 genes and tumor size. The overall survival rate was low in those patients with high levels of Livin and YAP 1 genes so they were considered as indicators of a bad prognosis.
There is overexpression of Livin gene and YAP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. They can be used as indicators of bad prognosis of the disease pathway together with low survival rate.
Significance of plasma osteopontin in diagnosis of hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma
2014, Arab Journal of Gastroenterology
Citation Excerpt :
In most cases, HCC is diagnosed at a late stage; therefore, the prognosis of HCC is generally poor and has a <5% 5-year survival rate [1]. In Egypt, the incidence of HCC has been nearly doubled over the last decade [20,21], and Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV in the world, ranging from 6% to 28% [22,23]. The diagnosis and treatment of HCC at an early stage remain the most relevant strategies to improve prognosis [24].
Alfa fetoprotein (AFP) is widely used as a surveillance test for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). However, the clinical use of AFP has been shown to present some important limitations in sensitivity and specificity. Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted matrix glycoprotein that is emerging as a significant protein in the biology of HCC. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of plasma OPN compared with that of AFP in the diagnosis of HCC among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related LC.
Plasma levels of OPN and AFP were measured in 69 Egyptian patients with HCV-related LC (35 with HCC and 34 without HCC) and 20 healthy controls.
Both median AFP and OPN levels were significantly higher in the HCC group compared to LC and healthy control groups (p < 0.001 in each) and in LC compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In the HCC group, both OPN and AFP levels were significantly higher in patients with Child–Pugh class C and B compared to class A (p < 0.05 in each). There was no correlation between OPN and AFP levels. The OPN level was significantly higher in patients with multiple focal lesions than in those with single lesions (p < 0.05) and in patients with portal vein invasion compared to patients without portal vein invasion (p < 0.05). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for OPN and AFP was 0.824 and 0.730, respectively.
OPN is a promising tumour marker which could be used as a screening test for the diagnosis of HCC in patients with LC and, hence, improves the prognosis and survival rate of these patients. The association of OPN with the multiplicity of focal lesions and portal vein invasion suggests an additional prognostic value.
Prevalence and trends of hepatitis C virus among blood donors in Antananarivo, from 2003 to 2009
2012, Transfusion Clinique et Biologique
Citation Excerpt :
In Mali, among 25,543 donations during 2007, 3.3% were positive for HCV [18]. In Egypt, 24.8% of blood donors were HCV positive, ranging from 6.0 to 28.8% [19,20]. Finally, in Iran, seroprevalence of HCV is about 0.13% [21].
Due to anemia and maternal, childhood and infancy diseases, blood transfusion is one of the most important medical cares given in sub-Saharan Africa, including Madagascar. World Health Organization encourages worldwide countries to maximize transfusion security. Until now, there was no data within a large population of blood donors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and time trends of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among all first-time blood donors coming into the National Centre of Transfusion Supply in Antananarivo.
This retrospective study was conducted at the National Centre of Transfusion Supply in Antananarivo from 2003 to May 2009. We looked up to all recorded results of systematic screening of blood donor candidates and we took data about all first-time blood donors, including age and gender. Forty-seven thousand five hundred and ten of 47,636 first-time blood donors were retained, the others were excluded due to lack of some data.
The mean age of our donors was 33.3 years (35.8 for male, and 32.6 for female; P << 0.05). Eighty percent were male (38,225/47,510). HCV prevalence was 0.65% during the period of study and HCV positive donor candidates were older than HCV negative (mean age: 39.1 vs. 33.2; P << 0.05). It was in fact stable from 2003 to 2007, and then decreased. HCV prevalence was higher in women than in men (0.9 vs. 0.6; P < 0.05), and it increased by age (P < 0.05).
Our study found a low prevalence of HCV among blood donors compared to many countries in Africa.
L’acte transfusionnel est l’un des moyens thérapeutiques les plus importants en Afrique subsaharienne, y compris Madagascar, à cause de l’anémie et des maladies materno-infantiles. L’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) prône une politique de sécurisation des dons au niveau mondial. Jusqu’à maintenant, peu de données sur une population de taille élevée étaient disponibles à Madagascar. D’où l’objectif de cette étude d’étudier la prévalence dans le temps de l’infection au virus de l’hépatite C (VHC) chez les primodonneurs au niveau du Centre national de transfusion sanguine d’Antananarivo.
Il s’agit d’une étude rétrospective menée sur une période allant de 2003 à mai 2009. Nous avons collecté les données biologiques mentionnées dans le cahier de registre du Centre national de transfusion sanguine d’Antananarivo. Nous avons retenu 47 510 sur les 47 636 premiers dons de cette période, les autres ont été exclus pour cause de données incomplètes.
L’âge moyen des donneurs était de 33,3 ans (35,8 pour les hommes et 32,6 pour les femmes ; p << 0,05). Quatre-vingts pour cent des donneurs étaient de sexe masculin (38 225/47 510). La prévalence de l’infection à VHC était de 0,65 %, les sujets VHC positifs étaient plus âgés que les sujets VHC négatifs (moyenne d’âge de 38,1 contre 33,2 ; p << 0,05). En réalité, la prévalence était stable de 2003 à 2007, ensuite elle a diminué. Enfin, la prévalence de VHC est plus élevée chez les femmes (0,9 contre 0,6) et elle augmente avec l’âge (p < 0,05).
Notre étude montre une faible prévalence de l’hépatite C par rapport aux autres pays africains.
Role of occult hepatitis B virus in chronic hepatitis C patients with flare of liver enzymes
2011, European Journal of Internal Medicine
Citation Excerpt :
The recently published Egyptian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) in 2009 estimated an overall anti-HCV antibody prevalence of 14.7% with an estimated 9.8% of resident Egyptian populations that are chronically infected [4]. Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antibodies (HBsAg) ranges from 1.17% to 4.7% among different regions and demographics in Egypt [5,6]. Occult, silent, or latent hepatitis B virus infection is generally defined as the detection of HBV DNA in the serum or liver tissue of patients who test negative for HBsAg [7,8].
Occult HBV infection is defined by detection of HBV DNA in the serum or liver tissue of patients who test negative for HBsAg. The prevalence of occult HBV is higher in hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive patients than HCV negative patients and may have an impact on their clinical outcome. In this study, we evaluated the role of occult hepatitis B virus infection in chronic hepatitis C patients with ALT flare.
Sixty HBsAg negative patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their ALT level: 30 patients with normal or slightly high ALT and 30 patients with ALT flare (≥ 5 times normal values). Patients in both groups were examined for the detection of anti-HBs, anti-HBc IgM, and anti-HBc IgG. HBV DNA was detected using semi-nested PCR technique.
In patients with normal or slightly high ALT, HBV DNA was detected in 4 (13.3%) patients, while in those with ALT flare, HBV DNA was detected in 19 (63.3%) patients (p < 0.001). No association was found between the presence of HBV DNA and various serology markers of HBV infection.
Presence of occult hepatitis B, with its added deleterious effect, must always be considered in chronic hepatitis C patients especially those with flare in liver enzymes; HBsAg should not be used alone for the diagnosis of HBV infection.
Diagnostic significance of plasma osteopontin in hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma
2011, Annals of Hepatology
Citation Excerpt :
HCC incidence has increased sharply over recent decades and this has been partially attributed to chronic HCV infection.3 –6In Egypt, the growing incidence of HCC, which is nearly doubled over the last decade7–10is parallel with that Egypt are plugged with highest prevalence of HCV in the world, ranging from 6 to 28%.11-13 The prevelance of serological markers of HCV infection in patients with HCC is nearly 80%.14
Background and aim: Outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) depends mainly on its early diagnosis. The performance of traditional biomarkers is not satisfactory. Osteopontin (OPN) is of potential importance. This study aim to assess the diagnostic value of plasma OPN compared with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for the diagnosis of HCV- related HCC.
Methods: We recruited 113 HCC patients compared with 120 matched cirrhotic patients and 120 Controls. The plasma level of OPN and serum AFP for all participants were assessed.
Results: The median plasma OPN level was significantly higher in the HCC group than in the cirrhotic patient group or in the normal control group (p-value < 0.001), while OPN levels were not differed significantly in correlation with the degree of liver function deterioration in terms of advanced Child-Pugh class (p-value < 0.9). The diagnostic efficacy of OPN were superior to AFP in terms of AUC, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV either in diagnosis of early or late stages of HCC (0.88 vs. 0.56; P = 0.0001, 0.991 vs. 0.899; p = 0.01; respectively).
Conclusion: Plasma OPN level is a potential diagnostic marker for HCC, especially among high-risk group of patients. These values extend beyond the traditional tumor biomarkers as AFP, as it possesses good prognostic value.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in Egypt (2000–2022): a systematic review with meta-analysis
2023, BMC Infectious Diseases

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Major articleSeroprevalence of hepatitis C and B among blood donors in Egypt: Minya Governorate, 2000-2008

Section snippets

Methods

Statistical analysis

Results

Discussion

Lancet

A sero survey for hepatitis B, syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus antibodies among blood donors and recipients

New Egypt J Med

Hepatitis B virus infection in upper and lower Egypt

J Med Virol

Major article
Seroprevalence of hepatitis C and B among blood donors in Egypt: Minya Governorate, 2000-2008