Author/Authors :
Paboriboune, Phimpha Centre d’Infectiologie Lao-Christophe Merieux - Vientiane, Laos , Vial, Thomas IRD - UPS - UMR 152 PHARMADEV - Universite de Toulouse - Toulouse, France , Chassagne, François IRD - UPS - UMR 152 PHARMADEV - Universite de Toulouse - Toulouse, France , Sitbounlang, Philavanh Centre d’Infectiologie Lao-Christophe Merieux - Vientiane, Laos , Soundala, Sengaloun Centre d’Infectiologie Lao-Christophe Merieux - Vientiane, Laos , Bertani, Stéphane IRD - UPS - UMR 152 PHARMADEV - Universite de Toulouse - Toulouse, France , Sengmanothong, Davone Centre d’Infectiologie Lao-Christophe Merieux - Vientiane, Laos , Babin, Francois-Xavier Fondation Merieux - Lyon, France , Steenkeste, Nicolas Fondation Merieux - Lyon, France , Dény, Paul Hopitaux Universitaires Paris Seine Saint Denis - Universit ˆ e Paris 13 - Sorbonne Paris Cit ´ e - Paris, France ´ - INSERM U1052 - CNRS UMR 5286 - Cancer Research Center of Lyon - Lyon, France , Pineau, Pascal Institut Pasteur - Organisation Nucleaire et Oncogen ´ ese - Paris, France , Deharo, Eric IRD - UPS - UMR 152 PHARMADEV - Universite de Toulouse - Toulouse, France
Abstract :
Objective. Lao PDR is one of the most highly endemic countries for hepatitis B in Asia and the second country for liver cancer
incidence. Terefore, the follow-up of infected individuals through predictive serological markers is of utmost importance to
monitor the progression of the pathology and take the decision on treatment. Methods. A retrospective-descriptive cohort study was
conducted on 3,857 HBV-infected patients. Information about infection status (viral load, VL), liver function (aminotransferases),
and treatments was recorded. Results. M/F sex ratio was 1.77 for a median age of 37. Patients under 37 displayed higher VL than
older ones and men had higher VL than women. Initial VL ranged from <50 IU/mL to 2.5 1013 IU/mL. Median aminotransferase
values were 45.5 U/L for ALAT and 44 U/L for ASAT, ranging from <8 to >2,000 U/L. Men had higher aminotransferase than
women. Globally 20% of patients received treatment (mainly immunostimulant and reverse-transcriptase inhibitors); 11% had high
levels of VL and liver enzymes, but only 2% of them were treated. Conclusion. Public health decisions should be taken urgently to
rationalise vaccination and provide fair access to early diagnosis and treatment; otherwise the burden of HBV-associated diseases will be overwhelming for Laos in the near future.
Keywords :
Surveillance , Hepatitis B , Laos , Lao PDR , HBV
