BACKGROUND: Although abundant data are available regarding the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B or C virus (HBV, HCV) among both blood donors and patients with liver diseases, corresponding data for the general population are scarce. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate the prevalence and clinical spectrum of HBV and HCV in a general Swedish middle-aged urban population. METHODS: Demographic data and blood samples were collected from subjects enrolled in a prospective study of cancer development in the city of Malmö (population 250,000). The participation rate in the preliminary examination was 46.2%. From 12,445 individuals born between 1926 and 1945 and included in the study, a statistically representative subsample of 6103 persons was selected. Blood samples were available from 5533 of these. The mean age of the subjects in the series was 58.5 +/- 5.9 years, and 59% were women. The HBV markers used were anti-HBc and HBsAg. HCV antibodies were detected with a third generation anti-HCV ELISA, followed by immunoblotting (RIBA 3) if the test was positive. Immunoblot-reactive samples were analysed for HCV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction and genotyped. In all patients with signs of chronic HBV or HCV, epidemiological data were evaluated and liver biopsies obtained. RESULTS: Of the series as a whole (n = 5533), 4.2% (n = 211) tested positive for anti-HBc and 0.2% (n = 10) for HBsAg. RIBA 3 analysis showed 0.37% (18/5533) to be anti-HCV-positive, of whom 83% (15/18) were HCV-RNA-positive. Apart from two (both from HBsAg carriers) with normal histology, all liver biopsies manifested various degrees of inflammation and fibrosis. Among anti-HCV-positives, median grade was 6 and median stage 1 (Knodell score). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of both chronic HBV and HCV is low in the Swedish general urban middle-aged population. Nonetheless, the long-term effects on the population and the health care system may be significant.
BACKGROUND: Although abundant data are available regarding the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B or C virus (HBV, HCV) among both blood donors and patients with liver diseases, corresponding data for the general population are scarce. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate the prevalence and clinical spectrum of HBV and HCV in a general Swedish middle-aged urban population. METHODS: Demographic data and blood samples were collected from subjects enrolled in a prospective study of cancer development in the city of Malmö (population 250,000). The participation rate in the preliminary examination was 46.2%. From 12,445 individuals born between 1926 and 1945 and included in the study, a statistically representative subsample of 6103 persons was selected. Blood samples were available from 5533 of these. The mean age of the subjects in the series was 58.5 +/- 5.9 years, and 59% were women. The HBV markers used were anti-HBc and HBsAg. HCV antibodies were detected with a third generation anti-HCV ELISA, followed by immunoblotting (RIBA 3) if the test was positive. Immunoblot-reactive samples were analysed for HCV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction and genotyped. In all patients with signs of chronic HBV or HCV, epidemiological data were evaluated and liver biopsies obtained. RESULTS: Of the series as a whole (n = 5533), 4.2% (n = 211) tested positive for anti-HBc and 0.2% (n = 10) for HBsAg. RIBA 3 analysis showed 0.37% (18/5533) to be anti-HCV-positive, of whom 83% (15/18) were HCV-RNA-positive. Apart from two (both from HBsAg carriers) with normal histology, all liver biopsies manifested various degrees of inflammation and fibrosis. Among anti-HCV-positives, median grade was 6 and median stage 1 (Knodell score). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of both chronic HBV and HCV is low in the Swedish general urban middle-aged population. Nonetheless, the long-term effects on the population and the health care system may be significant.
Authors: Zhannat Z Nurgalieva; F Blaine Hollinger; David Y Graham; S Zhangabylova; Abai Zhangabylov Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2007-02-28 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: Bjarte Fosby; Espen Melum; Kristian Bjøro; William Bennet; Allan Rasmussen; Ina Marie Andersen; Maria Castedal; Michael Olausson; Christina Wibeck; Mette Gotlieb; Henrik Gjertsen; Leena Toivonen; Stein Foss; Heikki Makisalo; Arno Nordin; Truls Sanengen; Annika Bergquist; Marie E Larsson; Gunnar Soderdahl; Greg Nowak; Kirsten Muri Boberg; Helena Isoniemi; Susanne Keiding; Aksel Foss; Pål-Dag Line; Styrbjörn Friman; Erik Schrumpf; Bo-Göran Ericzon; Krister Höckerstedt; Tom H Karlsen Journal: Scand J Gastroenterol Date: 2015-06 Impact factor: 2.423
Authors: Susan J M Hahné; Irene K Veldhuijzen; Lucas Wiessing; Tek-Ang Lim; Mika Salminen; Marita van de Laar Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2013-04-18 Impact factor: 3.090