Assessment of Hepatitis B Serological Markers in Patients at the Medical Biology Laboratory of the National Hospital of Niamey
Daou M.
Internal Medicine Department, Niamey General Referral Hospital, Niger.
Marou B.
Biology Laboratory, Niamey National Hospital, Niger.
Boulama Mamadou BM *
Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Niamey National Hospital, Niger.
Seybou Idrissa R.
Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Niamey National Hospital, Niger.
Moussa Saley S.
Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Niamey National Hospital, Niger.
Brah S.
Department of Internal Medicine, Amirou Boubacar Diallo National Hospital, Niamey, Niger.
Adehossi E
Internal Medicine Department, Niamey General Referral Hospital, Niger.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objective: To assess the epidemiological and serological characteristics of hepatitis B among patients attending the Medical Biology Laboratory of the National Hospital of Niamey.
Study Design: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical purpose.
Place and Duration of Study: conducted from April 1 to October 1, 2024 at the biology laboratory of the National Hospital of Niamey.
Methodology: All compliant specimens received for a hepatitis B test were included. Serological markers (HBsAg, HBeAg, AcHBc, AcHBe, AcHBs, AcHCV), HBV viral load and HIV status were analyzed. Techniques used included immunochromatography (rapid tests), chemiluminescence (COBAS 6000), and real-time PCR (COBAS 4800). The data was collected via a pre-established sheet, then entered and analysed with Epi Info 7. Ethical authorizations have been obtained, and the anonymity of patients has been respected.
Results: 1252 samples were identified. The patients were mostly male in 59% of cases with a sex ratio of 1.45. The mean age was 31.32 years with extremes ranging from 1 to 98 years. The requests were external in 89.80% of cases, the Chirurgue was the in-house prescribing service in 56.69% of cases. The reason for the request was a preoperative check-up in 44.73% of cases and HBsAg was positive in 17.41% of cases, positive patients were male in 9.89% of cases and the age groups of 21-31, 32-42 years were the most common in 4.64% and 4.28% of cases, respectively. HBsAc and HBeAc were positive in 7.41% and 34.64% of cases, respectively. HBeAg and HBeAg were positive in 7.35% and 75.44% of cases, respectively. The viral load was detectable in 80% of cases, and was less than 2000IU/mL in 56% of cases. HCVAC was positive in 1.61% of cases. HIV serology was positive in 0.85% of cases and in 0.32% of cases, there was an HIV-HBsAg association.
Conclusion: Hepatitis B remains a major public health problem, with a significant prevalence in our context.
Keywords: Serology, Hepatitis B, National Hospital of Niamey, HIV, Niger