Occult Hepatitis B among Patients under Hemodialysis at Mansoura University Hospitals: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Occult Hepatitis B among Patients under Hemodialysis at Mansoura University Hospitals: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Background: In spite of the progress made in the prevention of transfusion transmitted infections over the last decade, transmission of hepatitis viruses like B and C infection through transfusion of serologically negative blood has been documented among susceptible patients who are under hemodialysis due to end stage renal failure. Aim: The present study was performed to diagnose Occult Hepatitis B among patients under hemodialysis at Mansoura University Hospitals and to determine the risk factors for such infection. Material and method: The study was conducted on 96 patients attending Mansoura University hospitals for hemodialysis with age range from 26 to 65 years. In addition, one hundred sixty seven healthy blood donors were included in the study and considered as a control group. Blood samples were obtained from each subject and subjected to full biochemical analysis for liver function tests and serological markers for hepatitis C IgG (HCV IgG), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody(HBs Ab), hepatitis B core IgG and IgM (HBc IgG & HBc IgM). Furthermore molecular study for hepatitis B viral DNA and its genotypes were performed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction.