Author/Authors :
Caviglia, Gian Paolo University of Turin - Department of Internal Medicine, Italy , Abate, Maria Lorena University of Turin - Department of Internal Medicine, Italy , Manzini, Paola San Giovanni Battista University Hospital (Molinette) - Blood Bank, Italy , Danielle, Franca San Giovanni Battista University Hospital (Molinette) - Blood Bank, Italy , Ciancio, Alessia San Giovanni Battista University Hospital (Molinette) - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Italy , Rosso, Chiara University of Turin - Department of Internal Medicine, Italy , Olivero, Antonella University of Turin - Department of Internal Medicine, Italy , Pellicano, Rinaldo San Giovanni Battista University Hospital (Molinette) - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Italy , Touscoz, Giovanni Antonio San Giovanni Battista University Hospital (Molinette) - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Italy , Smedile, Antonina San Giovanni Battista University Hospital (Molinette) - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Italy , Rizzetto, Mario San Giovanni Battista University Hospital (Molinette) - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Italy
Abstract :
Background: Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) is defined as the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the liver and/or in the serum of patients with negative results of hepatitis B s antigen (HBsAg) test with or without serological markers of previous viral exposure. The impact of OBI in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is still unclear. Objectives: The Aim of this study was to assess OBI prevalence and its potential implications on treatment outcome in a cohort of patients with CHC underwent standard antiviral therapy. Patients and Methods: Baseline serum samples from 137 HBsAg-negative CHC patients treated with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin (73 Responders/74 Non Responders), were retrospectively analyzed for HBV status. Results: Seventy-three patients (53.3%) showed markers of previous exposure to HBV. HBV DNA was detected in 2 of 137 serum samples (1.5%), both carrying HBV antibodies. Liver biopsies and post-therapy sera were available for 35 patients (12 Responders/23 Non Responders). HBV DNA sequences were found in 13 of 35 specimens (37.1%), all of patients with HBV DNA negativity in basal and post-therapy serum samples. Among OBI-positive patients, 5 (38.5%) carried serological markers of HBV infection. Regarding therapy outcome, in the OBI-positive group there were 5 of 13 (38.5%) sustained virological responders (SVR) compared to 7 of 22 (31.8%) in the OBI-negative one. Conclusions: Despite the high prevalence rate of liver HBV DNA in patients with CHC, SVR was not affected by occult HBV infection.
Keywords :
Hepatitis C , Chronic , Hepatitis B Virus , Hepatitis C , Infection
