Afro-Egypt J Infect  Endem  Dis  2018 December ; 8(4):202

Significance of screening antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen among chronic hepatitis C patients before antiviral therapy

Mohamed Fathallah¹, Amany Moustafa², Mohamed Aboelmagd¹,Shyma Elkhodary¹, Mohammed Elhamouly¹

¹Department of Endemic and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt ²Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

mfmhassan666@yahoo.com

 

ABSTRACT

Background and study aim: Anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) sero-positivity in general population in Egypt is reported to be 10-13%. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of anti-HBc among chronic hepatitis C patients before antiviral therapy.

Patients and Methods: A total of 178 consenting patients with chronic HCV infection eligible for treatment with DAAs according to program of National Committee for Control of Hepatitis Infection in Portsaid, Egypt from April to October 2017. All of the patients were screened for anti-HBs and anti-HBc. Anti-HBc–positive patients were assayed for HBV DNA.

Results: Out of 178 chronic hepatitis C patients, Eighty four patients (47.2%) were treated with triple therapy (Sofosbuvir/ Daclatasvir/Ribavirin) and ninety four patients (52.8%) with dual therapy (Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir). A65 patients (36.5%) were reactive for anti-HBc. Of 84 patients, 34 (40.5%) who treated with triple therapy were reactive for anti-HBc. Of 94 patients, 31 (33%) who treated with dual therapy were reactive for it. All patients were negative for anti-HBs and anti-HBc–positive patients were no detected HBV DNA at baseline and 12 weeks after DAAs.

Conclusion: Our results suggest including anti-HBc as an additional screening test for chronic hepatitis C patient in Egypt who are eligible for DAAs to reduce the risk of HBV reactivation and fulminant hepatitis after DAAs.