Background. Using prospective blood donors as a proxy, this study was aimed at estimating the burden and five-year (2012&#x2013;2016) trend of viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) infection among asymptomatic adult population in Ho. Materials and Methods. A retrospective analysis was done on secondary data extracted from the hospital archives comprising 4,180 prospective blood donors from January 2012 to December 2016. Demographic variables included age and sex, as well as place of residence. Screening results of serum infectious markers (HBV and HCV) were obtained. Results. The prevalence of asymptomatic viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) infection in the general adult population was 6.94&#x25; and 1.84&#x25;, respectively. Females recorded a higher burden of HBV and HCV (8.3&#x25; and 5.0&#x25;) compared to their male peers (6.8&#x25; and 1.4&#x25;). A significant age variation in HBV antigenaemia was seen with HBV seropositivity peaking among the younger population (less than 20 years&#x2019; group) at 11.24&#x25; and troughed among the older population (above 50 years&#x2019; group) at 0.92&#x25;. Conclusion. Asymptomatic viral hepatitis among adult population in the Ho Municipality is estimated at the intermediate to high endemicity level. Preventive measures to reduce the burden are urgently needed and should be targeted at the younger generation.

Sylvester Yao Lokpo

James Osei-Yeboah

Gameli Kwame Norgbe

Patrick Kwasi Owiafe

Felix Ayroe

Francis Abeku Ussher

Mavis Popuelle Dakorah

John Gameli Deku

Nana Yaw Barimah Manaphraim

Emmanuel Akomanin Asiamah

Tibemponi Ntoni

Prince Senyo Kwasi Nyamadi

Edward Yiadom Boakye

Roseline Avorkliyah

Viral Hepatitis Endemicity and Trends among an Asymptomatic Adult Population in Ho: A 5-Year Retrospective Study at the Ho Municipal Hospital, Ghana

Background. Even though health professionals (HPs) need special consideration for hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination, this is not widely implemented in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to determine the vaccination status of health professionals against hepatitis B virus infection, to identify barriers to vaccination and to identify factors associated with vaccination status. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to 15, 2016. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 21. A test of association was done using binary logistic regression and P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Out of 286 HPs included in the study 28.7&#x25; received full course vaccination against HBV. The most frequently mentioned reasons for not being vaccinated against HBV are unavailability of the vaccine (58.2&#x25;) and its cost (18.5&#x25;). Age, marital status, level of education, and type of profession have significant association with vaccination status. Conclusion. HBV coverage among HPs in Gondar University Hospital (GUH) is inadequate. This is mostly due to unavailability of the vaccine and its cost. Vaccination status significantly varies based on level of education, type of profession, age, and marital status. We recommend making vaccines available and accessible.

Mohammed Biset Ayalew

Boressa Adugna Horsa

Hepatitis B Vaccination Status among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in Ethiopia

Entecavir requires long-term administration. Pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) therapy leads to significant reduction of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) levels. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of adding PEG-IFN-&#x3b1;-2a to entecavir toward cessation of entecavir. A total of 23 patients treated with entecavir underwent add-on PEG-IFN-&#x3b1;-2a therapy (90&#x2009;&#x3bc;g per week) for 48 weeks. Viral response (VR) was defined as more than 50&#x25; reduction of baseline hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) level at 72 weeks from the start of therapy. Complete response (CR) was defined as the decline of HBs Ag levels &#x3c;100&#x2009;IU/mL. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBe Ag) seroconversion rate was 25&#x25; (2/8), and VR rate was 52&#x25; (12/23). CR was observed in four patients (17&#x25;). However, CR rate in baseline HBs Ag level &#x3c;2000&#x2009;IU/mL and HBe Ag negative patients was 50&#x25; (4/8). Univariate analysis showed that the percentage of HBs Ag level reduction at week 12 was significantly associated with VR. The area under the curve value was 0.848. Adding PEG-IFN-&#x3b1;-2a to entecavir has limited efficacy. The percentage reduction of HBs Ag level at week 12 may be a useful predictor for VR.

Hideyuki Tamai

Yoshiyuki Ida

Naoki Shingaki

Ryo Shimizu

Kazuhiro Fukatsu

Masahiro Itonaga

Takeichi Yoshida

Yoshimasa Maeda

Kosaku Moribata

Takao Maekita

Mikitaka Iguchi

Jun Kato

Masayuki Kitano

Add-on Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis B Japanese Patients Treated with Entecavir

The Lao People&#x2019;s Democratic Republic (PDR) is still considered a highly endemic country for hepatitis B, mainly due to perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV), despite efforts made since 2004 for universal immunization of newborns. The prevalence of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) carriage in pregnant women is a relevant marker for the risk of mother-to-child HBV transmission. This study aimed to assess the changes in prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women attending the Mahosot Prenatal Clinic (Vientiane Capital). Methods. A retrospective study was performed in the Mahosot Hospital Laboratory to collect and analyze all the results of HBsAg testing in pregnant women from 2008 to 2014. Results. Of a total of 13,238 tested women of mean age of 26 years, 720 women (5,44&#x25; [95 CI: 5.1&#x2013;5.8&#x25;]) were found HBsAg positive, the annual prevalence ranging from 4.6&#x25; to 6.2&#x25;. A slight but steady and significant decrease in prevalence over the 7 years of the study could be documented. Conclusion. Although below the 8&#x25; hyperendemic threshold, the HBsAg prevalence observed in pregnant women in Vientiane reflects a high risk of HBV perinatal transmission and call for a widespread infant immunization with an HBV vaccine birth dose.

Marc Choisy

Sengdeuane Keomalaphet

Kinnaly Xaydalasouk

Fabrice Quet

Vatthanaphone Latthaphasavang

Yves Buisson

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Vientiane, Laos, 2008&#x2013;2014

Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a major health problem worldwide. approximately 1 million deaths annually due to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Objectives. This study was conducted to determine the coverage rate of HBV vaccine and assess the vaccine protective response among children under five years old in rural areas of Yemen. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2015 in four districts of countryside Yemen. The target population was children aged from 6 to 59 months. 227 children were enrolled in the study. Questionnaire was used to collect of data. Serum samples were tested for anti-HBs antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-HBs level &#x2265; 10&#x2009;IU/L was considered a protective response to the vaccine. Results. The coverage rate of HBV vaccine among children was 87.3&#x25;. A total of 143 (72.2&#x25;) children responded to the vaccine with anti-HBs level &#x2265; 10&#x2009;IU/L, while 55 (27.8&#x25;) of the children had nonprotective anti-HBs levels of &#x3c;10&#x2009;IU/L (P = 0.003). Conclusion. This study revealed a good coverage rate of HBV vaccine in rural areas but the protective rate against HBV infection was moderate. A considerable proportion of vaccinated children should be considered for either revaccination or booster doses.

Fuad A. A. Alssamei

Najla A. Al-Sonboli

Fawzi A. Alkumaim

Nader S. Alsayaad

Mohammed S. Al-Ahdal

Tarig B. Higazi

Atif A. Elagib

Assessment of Immunization to Hepatitis B Vaccine among Children under Five Years in Rural Areas of Taiz, Yemen

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Hepatitis Research and Treatment