Prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus infection in Egypt: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) is a major public health problem. The clinical importance of OBI stems from the fact that it can be transmitted to healthy individuals at extremely low viral load levels. Additionally, immunosuppression has the potential to trigger viral replication, which can result in life-threatening liver decompensation. Despite several studies examining the prevalence of OBI, the pooled prevalence of OBI in Egypt remains unknown, particularly among blood donors and high-risk individuals, to whom intervention should be targeted.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search of the following databases was conducted from inception to October 2022 using the following keywords: occult hepatitis B virus infection or occult HBV infection or

SUBMITTER: Azzam A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10368600 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature