مزمن C در بيماران به هپاتيت B شواهد سرولوژيك و مولكولي هپاتيت

Serological and molecular evidences of Hepatitis B in patients with chronic Hepatitis C

Introduction : Occult hepatitis B is a new entity in which serum HBsAg is negative but I-IBVDNA is detectable in serum or liver tissues. In this study the frequency of occult hepatitis B among patients with chronic hepatitis C and also their biochemical and histological changes were investigated. Materials & Methods:ln this descriptive study, 27 patients with chronic hepatitis C with negative serum HBsAg were enrolled. These patients had been referred to RCGLD (Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases) or THC (Tehran Hepatitis Center) during years 2001 and 2002 and had been undertaken liver biopsy. Liver biopsies were reviewed and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and HBsAg and HBcAg were assayed in liver tissue by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) respectively. Results:From 27 chronic hepatitis C patients studied, HBVDNA was detectable by PCR in 5 (19%). Immunohistochemistry for both HBcAg and HBsAg were reported to be negative in all patients. Histological changes of cirrhosis and symptoms of decompensated cirrhosis were seen just in HBVDNA positive patients. Concision: The frequency of occult hepatitis B among chronic hepatitis C patients is more common than other chronic liver diseases. Occult hepatitis B can accelerate the evolution to cirrhosis in patients with chronic HCV infection.