tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Ann Hepatol
. 2022 Feb 12;100684.
doi: 10.1016/j.aohep.2022.100684. Online ahead of print.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses in moderate and severe COVID-19 inpatients: a cross-sectional study at a referral center in Mexico
J C Jiménez-Mendoza[SUP] 1 [/SUP], F E Rivera-López[SUP] 2 [/SUP], M F González-Lara[SUP] 3 [/SUP], R D Valdez-Echeverría[SUP] 4 [/SUP], G E Castro-Narro[SUP] 2 [/SUP], A Tore[SUP] 2 [/SUP], L F Uscanga-Domínguez[SUP] 2 [/SUP], C Moctezuma-Velázquez[SUP] 5 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Introduction and objectives: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, which causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused a great impact on healthcare systems worldwide, including hepatitis B and C viruses screening and elimination programs. The high number of COVID-19 hospitalizations represent a great opportunity to screen patients for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which was the aim of this study.
Material and methods: Cross-sectional, retrospective study performed between April 2020 and 20201 at a referral center in Mexico dedicated to the care of adults with severe/critical COVID-19. We retrieved clinical, demographic, and laboratory results from each patient´s medical records, including antibodies against HCV (anti-HCV), HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies against the HBV core antigen (anti-HBcAg), and antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBsAg).
Results: Out of 3620 patients that were admitted to the hospital, 24 (0.66%), 4 (0.11%), and 72 (1.99%) tested positive for anti-HCV, HBsAg, and anti-HBcAg, respectively. Of all seronegative patients, 954 (27%) had undetectable anti-HBsAg and 401 (12%) had anti-HBsAg at protective levels. Surgeries and blood transfusions were the most relevant risk factors. Only 9.7% of the anti-HBc positive, 25% of the HBsAg positive, and 52% of the anti-HCV positive were aware of their serological status.
Conclusions: In this study we found a prevalence of anti-HCV of 0.66%, of HBsAg of 0.11%, and of isolated anti-HBcAg of 1.88%. We also found that HBV vaccination coverage has been suboptimal and needs to be reinforced. This study gave us a trustworthy insight of the actual seroprevalence in Mexico, which can help provide feedback to the Hepatitis National Elimination Plan.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; hepatitis B; hepatitis C; screening; seroprevalence.
. 2022 Feb 12;100684.
doi: 10.1016/j.aohep.2022.100684. Online ahead of print.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses in moderate and severe COVID-19 inpatients: a cross-sectional study at a referral center in Mexico
J C Jiménez-Mendoza[SUP] 1 [/SUP], F E Rivera-López[SUP] 2 [/SUP], M F González-Lara[SUP] 3 [/SUP], R D Valdez-Echeverría[SUP] 4 [/SUP], G E Castro-Narro[SUP] 2 [/SUP], A Tore[SUP] 2 [/SUP], L F Uscanga-Domínguez[SUP] 2 [/SUP], C Moctezuma-Velázquez[SUP] 5 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 35167956
- DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2022.100684
Abstract
Introduction and objectives: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, which causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused a great impact on healthcare systems worldwide, including hepatitis B and C viruses screening and elimination programs. The high number of COVID-19 hospitalizations represent a great opportunity to screen patients for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which was the aim of this study.
Material and methods: Cross-sectional, retrospective study performed between April 2020 and 20201 at a referral center in Mexico dedicated to the care of adults with severe/critical COVID-19. We retrieved clinical, demographic, and laboratory results from each patient´s medical records, including antibodies against HCV (anti-HCV), HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies against the HBV core antigen (anti-HBcAg), and antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBsAg).
Results: Out of 3620 patients that were admitted to the hospital, 24 (0.66%), 4 (0.11%), and 72 (1.99%) tested positive for anti-HCV, HBsAg, and anti-HBcAg, respectively. Of all seronegative patients, 954 (27%) had undetectable anti-HBsAg and 401 (12%) had anti-HBsAg at protective levels. Surgeries and blood transfusions were the most relevant risk factors. Only 9.7% of the anti-HBc positive, 25% of the HBsAg positive, and 52% of the anti-HCV positive were aware of their serological status.
Conclusions: In this study we found a prevalence of anti-HCV of 0.66%, of HBsAg of 0.11%, and of isolated anti-HBcAg of 1.88%. We also found that HBV vaccination coverage has been suboptimal and needs to be reinforced. This study gave us a trustworthy insight of the actual seroprevalence in Mexico, which can help provide feedback to the Hepatitis National Elimination Plan.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; hepatitis B; hepatitis C; screening; seroprevalence.