Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigenemia among Patients with Schistosoma Mansoni

Abstract

This case-control study was designed to determine the prevalence of persistent hepatitis B surface antigenemia (HBsAG) among patients with schistosoma mansoni and to rationalize their vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Seventy consecutive patients with a confirmed diagnosis of schistosoma mansoni were matched for age, sex, nationality, and residence (for Saudis only) with 70 healthy controls. Despite identical mean ages, sex, and nationality distribution, 18 schistosomiasis patients (26%) had positive HBsAg as compared with only three of the controls (4%). The odd ratio for HBsAg antigenemia among patients as compared to controls was 7.73 (95% confidence interval (Cl) = 2-35.01, P = 0.0004. Neither sex nor nationality had any influence on the positive rate for HBsAg found in schistosomiasis patients. Patients with schistosomiasis and a concomitant positive HBsAg had significantly more derangement of their hepatic enzymes (14 out of 18; 78%) as compared with those without this viral serological marker (22 out of 52; 42%) (odd ratio -4.77; 95% Cl = 1.22-20.11; P = 0.009). I have concluded that patients with schistosoma mansoni are exposed to a higher risk of acquiring HBV infection and that concomitant schistosomiasis and HBV infection has a deleterious effect on hepatic enzymes as well as other liver functions. Prospective evaluation of the preventive role of HBV vaccine among these patients is warranted.

Characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma in Mansoura university Hospitals: A case-control study of risk factors.

“…Medical Journal of Viral Hepatitis (MJVH) 2021; 6(1): 38-45 43 indicating a positive association between HBV and schistosomiasis and not coinciding with studies rejecting any relationship between schistosomiasis and HBV 42 . The proportion of HCC patients had concomitant HCV and schistosomiasis was 27.7% compared to HCC patients with HCV alone 28.2%.…”

Schistosome: Its Benefit and Harm in Patients Suffering from Concomitant Diseases

“…Because of a lack of suitable animal models for infections of these hepatotropic viruses, major findings in schistosome-HBV/HCV coinfections have been obtained from epidemiological studies. Regarding HBV, schistosomiasis (especially the severe hepatosplenic form) was correlated with a higher frequency of HBV infection [3, 84, 85]. This observation could be explained by an increased susceptibility to HBV caused by schistosome infections.…”

Schistosomiasis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C co-infection

“…Epidemiological studies were performed to investigate schistosomiasis/HBV co-infections, as no suitable animal models exist. A number of studies proposed an increased susceptibility to HBV caused by schistosomal infections (especially the severe hepatosplenic form) [ 46 , 47 ]. However, this could be explained by the frequent need of schistosomiasis patients for blood transfusion, especially on considering the poor infection control measures in countries where this disease is endemic.…”