How Aware are We of the Immune Status of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis A in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients? A Multicenter Retrospective Study from Turkey

Abstract

Objectives: Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and superinfection by hepatitis A or hepatitis B virus have higher morbidity and mortality when compared with those without HCV infection. The aim of this study was to determine hepatitis A and B seroprevalence rates and immunity in patients with chronic HCV in different regions of Turkey. Materials and Methods: This multi-center study involving HCV-infected chrome cases was conducted between July 2016 and October 2017. Serological tests of Hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HBs, hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti-HAV IgG were evaluated by ELISA, and the files of HCV infected patients at the age of 18 or over who applied to 15 hospitals in 13 different cities of our country were screened. Results: Three hundred sixty-two of the 828 patients were men and 466 were women. The prevalence of HBV/HCV coinfection was 2.4%, while the anti-HBs positivity rate was 46.9%. Of the 610 patients evaluated in terms of anti-HAV IgG serology, 88.8% were anti-HAV IgG positive, while 11.1% were anti-HAV IgG negative. Isolated anti-HBc IgG positivity was detected in 5.8% of patients. Conclusion: Revealing the serological status of other hepatitis agents, such as hepatitis A and B, in patients with chronic hepatitis C is important in terms of providing the opportunity to immunize or treat when required.