Hepatitis B and C virus and hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was detected in 18.7% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and in 10.9% of controls (P < 0.001). The corresponding prevalences of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were 59.3% and 50.0% (P < 0.001). Using patients with non-hepatic disease as controls, stepwise logistic regression analysis indicated that both anti-HCV (odds ratio 6.88%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63-9.77) and HBsAg (odds ratio 6.46; 95% CI 1.68-18.13) were independent risk factors for HCC. Calculation of the incremental odds ratio indicated no interaction between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV. Blood transfusion was a significant risk factor for acquiring HCV infection with odds ratios of 5.48 (95% CI 1.07-29.0) and 2.86 (95% CI 1.31-22.72) for HCC cases and controls, respectively. The mean age of HCC cases with HBsAg and anti-HCV was lower than that of HCC patients with anti-HCV alone (P < 0.01). It is concluded that there is a high rate of HBV infection, and a low rate of HCV infection, among Nigerian patients with HCC. However, HBV and HCV are independent risk factors for the development of HCC, with HBV having an effect more rapidly. Screening of blood products for transfusion might minimize the risk of HCV transmission.

P53 codon 249 mutation and other risk factors among Nigerians with hepatocellular carcinoma

“…This finding is consistent with earlier observations in many studies with a high incidence of HCC being found in areas endemic for HBV infection. This prevalence of HBsAg-positive status is similar to earlier reports in South-east Asia [20,21], Senegal [22], The Gambia [4], and Nigeria [1,2] where HBV infection is endemic. A high proportion of HBsAg-positive HCC patients were seen in all age groups, showing no definite pattern in its distribution with age, whereas this was not the case among anti-HCV positive HCC subjects, where the proportion of the latter group of patients increased with age.…”

“…Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), alcohol, and aflatoxin B 1 (AFB1) are major etiological agents associated with HCC. Previous studies have shown 59.3−70% of HCC patients in Nigeria to be positive for HBV markers [1][2][3] while markers for HCV have been found in 18.7−37.5% of HCC patients in West Africa [1,4,5]. In Nigeria, there are more reports on the association of HBV with HCC with fewer studies on other risk factors.…”

Characteristics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Two Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria - Has anything Changed?

“…[1] [12][13][14][15][16] Among the reasons proposed for this male preponderance include the increased androgen signalling effect of testosterone with subsequent promotion of liver cell proliferation, higher rates of exposure to environmental carcinogens especially alcohol and higher iron stores.…”

“…Several reports on the epidemiology of HCC in Nigeria in the last three decades suggested a predilection for males in the 3 rd and 4 th decades of life who are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus. [13][14][15][16] The tumour is characterized by late presentation with the mean duration of appearance of symptoms to death of approximately 20weeks. Palliative care is the norm as patients are too ill for any curative intervention.…”

Chronic Hepatitis B: Management Challenges in Resource-Poor Coun-tries

“…In Nigeria, HBV infection has been studied in several populations (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21) (Table). Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine since 1982 (22,23) and its inclusion in Nigeria's national immunization program in 1995, the vaccine only became available to the public in 2004 (24,25).…”