TITLE:
Epidemiological, Clinical and Biological Characteristics of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection Followed-Up at the University Hospital of Conakry, Guinea
AUTHORS:
Djenabou Diallo, Kadiatou Diallo, Alpha Mamadou Diallo, Mamadou Mansour Diallo, Thierno Amadou Wann, Amadou Diouldé Doumbouya, Ousmane Sow, Youssouf Baldé, Alpha Amadou Sank Dillo
KEYWORDS:
Viral Hepatitis B, Epidemiology, Clinical, Biology
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Gastroenterology,
Vol.10 No.10,
October
20,
2020
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Very little information is available in Guinea on
chronic hepatitis B infections. The objective of this study was to describe the
epidemiological, clinical and biological features of patients who are chronic
carriers of the hepatitis B virus. Patients and Methods: This is a
retrospective study carried out from January 2017 to May 2020, based on the
medical records of patients seen via consultation or hospitalized with a record
of positive HBs antigen for more than 6 months. Clinical and paraclinical data
were collected and analyzed. Results: Seven hundred and sixteen patients
with a mean age of 35.6 ± 12.2 (sex ratio 2.05), were included. The HBs antigen was discovered
incidentally in 36% of cases (n = 258). A history of dental care and surgical
procedures was found in 46.3% (n = 290) and 21.1% (n = 138) of cases,
respectively. The median value of ALAT enzymes was 34 (21 - 47) IU/L. HBeAg was
positive in 20.8% (n = 55/265) of cases. The median B viral load was 458.5 (87 - 3827) IU/ml and 29% (n = 94) of patients had a viral
load over 2000 IU/ml. Anti-HCV antibody was present in 10.4 % of cases (n =
39/374). HIV serology was positive in 2.7% (n = 8/298). A total of 19.4% (n =
139) of the patients had cirrhosis and 4.5% (n = 32) had hepatocellular
carcinoma. Conclusion: The discovery of chronic HBs antigen was mostly
fortuitous in young sexually active men, some of whom were already at the stage
of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The best prevention strategy against
this infection remains early detection and vaccination.