An Evaluation of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Frequency and the Anti-hepatitis B Surface Seropositivity of Syrian Refugees in the Karabük Province
Journal Title: Viral Hepatitis Journal - Year 2019, Vol 25, Issue 3
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the frequency of hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and HCV with anti- hepatitis B Surface (HBs) seropositivity using serological and molecular methods in Syrian refugees in the Karabük. Materials and Methods: The study included the HBs Antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs, anti-HCV, HCV-RNA, HBV-DNA, and HCV genotyping results of Syrian refugees who presented at the Karabük University Training and Research Hospital between January 2016 and March 2019. Results: The 809 patients were comprised of 536 (66.3%) females and 273 (33.7%) males with a mean age of 34 years. HBsAg was found to be positive in 2.3% of patients and in all HBV-DNA were positive. The anti-HBs seropositivity rate was determined as 21.6% and a significant difference was determined between age groups (p=0.001). The anti-HCV was positive in 8 (1%) patients and the HCV-RNA viral load was determined in 7/8. In these 7 patients, the HCV genotype was determined as genotype 1b in 3, genotype 3 in 2, and genotype 4 in 2. Conclusion: This study showed that while the frequency of HBV and HCV in Syrian refugees was similar to the data for Turkey, anti-HBs seropositivity was extremely low. Hepatitis B vaccination programs for Syrian refugees should be implemented and regularly followed up.
Authors and Affiliations
Nergis Aşgın, Şerife Satılmış
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP676543
- DOI 10.4274/vhd.galenos.2019.2019.0033
- Views 168
- Downloads 0
Frequency of HBV, HCV and HIV Infections and Determination of HCV Genotype Distribution in People who Inject Drugs
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of blood-borne infections [hepatitis B virus (HBV), HCV, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)] and the genotype distribution retrospectively in people wh...
Evaluation of Signal/Cut-off Ratio by Anti-hepatitis Delta Virus Enzyme Immunoassay Method in the Diagnosis of Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection
Objectives: The hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is an enveloped, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus in the genus Deltavirus. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the ratio of anti-HDV signal/ cut-off (S/CO) in the...
Molecular Characterization of Hepatitis B Virus Strains Isolated from Chronic Hepatitis B Patients in Southeastern Region of Turkey
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the molecular aspects of HBV strains isolated from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, in the Southeastern region of Turkey. Materials and Methods: The study involv...
Evaluation of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype Results in İzmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital
Objectives: The aim was to support both the clinical treatment and management and also to contribute to the epidemiological understanding of the hepatitis C virüs (HCV) genotype in our region. Materials and Methods: HCV...
Examination of Mutations in the HBsAg and Polymerase Genes Induced by Pegylated Interferon Alpha and Oral Antivirals Used in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B
Objectives: The Hepatitis B Virus is a virus having high mutation frequency due to having a high replication capacity and not having error correction capability in reverse transcription.It is aimed to examine the mutatio...