HBV and HCV serological markers in patients with the hepatosplenic form of mansonic schistosomiasis

Abstract

We observed a higher prevalence of serological markers for HBV and a lower prevalence of anti-HCV. Our results indicate that females and patients of an advanced age are the most affected categories and that patients that received multiple transfusions are at a higher probability of HCV infection.

Hepatitis B and Schistosoma co-infection in a non-endemic area

“…In this series, 33.5 % of HBsAg-positive patients had evidence of schistosomal infection. The proportion shown in our study is within what is expected for those areas endemic for both diseases [4][5][6][7][8][9]. We have found no differences with regard to the likelihood of fibrosis among patients co-infected and those who just had chronic hepatitis B.…”

“…There are an estimated 250 million people affected by schistosomiasis in the world, with more than 90 % of the cases occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa [3]. The similar geographic distribution of these two diseases enables high co-infection prevalence in this area [4][5][6][7][8]. Published data on the prevalence of co-infection are scarce for Sub-Saharan countries, with just one study from Ethiopia reporting a co-infection rate of 50.3 % in patients with ultrasonographically demonstrated periportal fibrosis and any serological marker of HBV infection, and 16.1 % for those who were positive for HBsAg [9].…”

Spatial analysis of viral hepatitis and schistosomiasis coinfection in an endemic area in Northeastern Brazil

“…The disease is found in 78 countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia 1 . Brazil is the worst affected country in the Americas 2 , with 42.9 million people exposed to the risk of infection and approximately 6.8 million infected individuals [3][4][5] .…”

“…Viral hepatitis is a serious public health problem, not only in Brazil but also in many other countries worldwide 7,8 . Despite the controversies in the literature about the prevalence of schistosomiasis and viral hepatitis coinfection, some reports have indicated that the presence of both infections accelerates and aggravates the process of fibrosis in the liver and can lead to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma 3 .…”

“…A high prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and hepatitis virus coinfection has been reported, mainly in Egypt where 19.6-64.0% of individuals infected with S. mansoni are HBV coinfected and 10.3-67.0% are HCV coinfected 9 . In Brazil, most surveys have been conducted in referral centers that manage patients with chronic schistosomiasis 3,10,11 . Because the treatment of chronic schistosomiasis often requires transfusion of blood products and the use of parenterally administered drugs, there is an increased risk of infection with HBV/HCV.…”