Isolated anti-hbc and occult HBV infection in dialysis patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Occult Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) is defined as the presence of HBV-DNA in the liver or serum with undetectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Hemodialysis (HD) patients are at risk of acquiring parenterally transmitted infections.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of OBI in HD patients.

Patients and methods

A hundred HBsAg negative HD patients were included in this study from main dialysis units in Tehran, Iran. HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and liver enzymes levels were examined in all subjects. The presence of HBV-DNA was determined in plasma samples using real-time PCR.

Results

A hundredpatients with a mean age of 58.5 ± 16.1 years were enrolled

SUBMITTER: Ramezani A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4330694 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature