Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus Genotype D Amongst Inmates in Alborz Province, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Objectives:The aim of the present study was to determine the rate, risk factors and genotypes of Hepatitis B virus amongst imprisoned men as a high-risk subpopulation. Patients and Methods:This study was an anonymous cross-sectional study conducted on 3000 sentenced men in Karaj jails from 1 December 2008 to 28 November 2009. HBV serological markers [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)], human immunodeficiency virus antibody (anti-HIV) and hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) were analyzed by the ELISA technique. Nested PCR was done for the detection of HBV DNA and patterns of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) were obtained to determine the HBV genotypes. These patterns were confirmed by direct sequencing. Results: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was found in 122/3000 (4.1%) prisoners. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), anti-HIV, anti-HCV and anti-HIV/anti-HCV were detected in 52/122 (42.6%), 12/122 (10%), 22/122 (18%) and 3/122 (2.4%) prisoners, respectively. The HBV-DNA was found in 115/122 (94.3%) prisoners. The most high risk behavior was to utilize the collaborative syringe by injecting drug users (IDUs) with or without other risk factors (75.3%). Genotype D1 was obviously the only predominant type (100%). Conclusions:The rate of HBV in prisoners was significantly higher than that reported for the general population (4.1% vs. < 2%). Blood borne viral co-infections were prevalent in HBsAg positive prisoners. Continual tracing of genotypes and risk factors are helpful for identifying transmission patterns and target at-risk groups for preventive programs. High rates of HBV in prisoners indicates the need for extensive free of charge vaccination of this subpopulation.Hepatitis B is the most serious type of viral hepatitis infection. It can cause chronic liver disease and puts people at a high risk of death from cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Worldwide, about two billion people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and more than 240 million have chronic (long-term) liver infections. About 600,000 people die every year from this serious infection. Unfortunately, high rate of intravenous drug use, high-risk sexual behaviors and overcrowding have increasingly made prisons a breeding ground for hepatitis B infection.

Predisposing Factors to HBV Among Pregnant Women Attending Some Hospitals in Suburbs of Kano, Nigeria

“…Also, more than 686, 000 people continue to die annually due to complications of HBV infection while about 257 million are living with HBV infection. Globally, the prevalence of HBsAg is 3.61% and it is estimated that 170 million people that have chronic hepatitis B (CHB) reside in Africa [3][4][5][6]. The infection is endemic in Nigeria with an estimated 3-12% of her total population being chronic-carriers and about 15 million being seropositive for HBsAg.…”

A Cost-Utility and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Different Oral Antiviral Medications in Patients With HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B in Iran: An Economic Microsimulation Decision Model

“…A number of factors necessitated this study. These included the high prevalence of HBV, which accounts for the majority of hepatitis infections in the country, its role as the major cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer (5, 17, 18), the need to identify optimum hepatitis B strategies tailored to local conditions, and the absence of economic evaluation studies on the disease in Iran and the Eastern Mediterranean region.…”