BackgroundHepatitis B is the most common chronic viral infection in humans and the most common cause of death among viral hepatitis. As 70% to 80% of chronic hepatitis cases are caused by HBV in Iran, this virus alone is considered the most important cause of liver diseases and the major cause of mortality arising from viral hepatitis cases in Iran.ObjectivesWe planned this study to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B in the general population of Qom, central Iran.Patients and MethodsThe present study is a cross-sectional study. A total of 3690 samples were collected from 7 rural clusters and 116 urban clusters. Ten teams, each consisting of 2 trained members, were assigned to conduct the sampling and fill the questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS.ResultsThe prevalence rate of hepatitis B infection in Qom Province was 1.3%. The mean age of the patients with hepatitis B was 44.17 years. The prevalence of hepatitis B was 1.6% in men and 1.1% in women. Moreover, the prevalence of hepatitis B correlated positively with age, tattooing, and literacy level.ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of hepatitis B in Qom is 1.3%. It is possible to prevent the disease by increasing public awareness. Further investigation on clinical presentations and a determination of the genotype of the virus are suggested.

Background: Hepatitis B is the most common chronic viral infection in humans and the most common cause of death among viral hepatitis. As 70% to 80% of chronic hepatitis cases are caused by HBV in Iran, this virus alone is considered the most important cause of liver diseases and the major cause of mortality arising from viral hepatitis cases in Iran. Objectives: We planned this study to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B in the general population of Qom, central Iran. Patients and Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study. A total of 3690 samples were collected from 7 rural clusters and 116 urban clusters. Ten teams, each consisting of 2 trained members, were assigned to conduct the sampling and fill the questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: The prevalence rate of hepatitis B infection in Qom Province was 1.3%. The mean age of the patients with hepatitis B was 44.17 years. The prevalence of hepatitis B was 1.6% in men and 1.1% in women. Moreover, the prevalence of hepatitis B correlated positively with age, tattooing, and literacy level. Conclusions:The prevalence rate of hepatitis B in Qom is 1.3%. It is possible to prevent the disease by increasing public awareness. Further investigation on clinical presentations and a determination of the genotype of the virus are suggested.

BackgroundHepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that depends on the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus for its replication, developing exclusively in patients with acute or chronic hepatitis B. There are little data regarding the routes of HDV transmission in Iran. The risk factors for HDV infection in Iran are blood transfusion, surgery, family history, Hejamat wet cupping (traditional phlebotomy), tattooing, war injury, dental interventions, and endoscopy.ObjectivesWe performed this study to determine the prevalence of hepatitis D in the general population of Qom province and the potential risk factors for acquiring HDV.Patients and MethodsThis cross-sectional study collected 3690 samples from 7 rural clusters and 116 urban clusters. HBs antigen was measured, and if the test was positive, anti-HDV was measured. Ten teams, each consisting of 2 trained members, were assigned to conduct the sampling and administer the questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS.ResultsForty-eight subjects (1.3%) suffered from hepatitis B, and 1 HBsAg-positive case had HDV infection. The prevalence of hepatitis D infection in Qom Province was 0.03%. The prevalence of hepatitis D infection in HBsAg-positive cases was 2%. Our anti-HDV-positive case had a history of tattooing, surgery, and dental surgery. There was no significant relationship between tattooing, surgery history, or dental surgery and hepatitis D infection.ConclusionsThe prevalence of hepatitis D in Qom is the the lowest in Iran, similar to a study in Babol (north of Iran).

Context: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant cause of chronic liver disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Introduction of HCV direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis C in patients with HIV/HCV co-infection. In this study, we systematically reviewed the treatment of chronic HCV infection in patients with HIV/HCV co-infection. Evidence Acquisition: In this systematic review, electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science were comprehensively searched using appropriate strategies containing all related keywords of "HCV", "HIV" and "DAA". Studies assessed the effectiveness of interferon-free HCV antiviral therapies in patients with HIV/HCV co-infection were evaluated for inclusion in the systematic review. Results: After the screening of 728 records, we included 33 articles in our study, and seven different HCV antiviral regimens were evaluated. Ten studies for sofosbuvir plus simeprevir (SVR ranged from 72.2% to 100%), eight studies for sofosbuvir plus ribavirin (SVR ranged from 51.6% to 91.6%), 12 studies for sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SVR ranged from 88.8% to 100%), eight studies for sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir (SVR ranged between 84.6% and 100%), two studies for grazoprevir/elbasvir (SVR ranged from 86.6% to 96.5%), six studies for ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus dasabuvir (SVR ranged from 90.6% to 100%), and just one study for sofosbuvir/velpatasvir with 95.2% SVR rate. Conclusions: This study found that treatment of HCV infection with DAAs can result in high SVR rate in patients with HIV/HCV co-infection.