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Amaç: Kriptojenik sirozlu hastalarda okült hepatit B sıklığı değişkendir ve bölgemizde sıklığı bilinmemektedir. HBV serolojik belirteçleri olmamasına ragmen HBV DNA'sının bu sirotik hastalardaki varlığı moleküler tekniklerle belirlenebilir. Bu çalışmada kriptojenik sirozlu hastalarda okült hepatit B varlığının sıklığını belirlemeyi amaçladık.Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu kesitsel çalışma, kriptojenik karaciğer sirozu olan bir grup hastada okült HBV enfeksiyonunun yaygınlığını değerlendirmek için tasarlanmıştır. Bu çalışmada kliniğimizce takip edilen kriptojenik sirozlu 44 hasta çalışmaya alındı. Bu hastaların serumları gerçek zamanlı bir PCR yöntemi kullanılarak, HBV DNA seviyeleri için incelenmiştir.Bulgular: Çalışma grubunda 44 hasta vardı; 22 hastada anti-HBs antikoru pozitif saptandı, 24 hastada anti-HBc pozitif bulundu; 2 hastada HBV DNA pozitif bulundu. Bizim çalışmamızda kriptojenik sirozlu hastaların %4,5'inde (2/44) gizli HBV enfeksiyonu saptandı.Sonuç: Kriptojenik sirozlu hastalarda okült HBV infeksiyonu prevalansı nispeten yüksek saptandı. Okült hepatit b enfeksiyonu kriptojenik karaciğer hastalığı vakalarında dekompanse siroz ve siroza bağlı komplikasyonların gelişmesinde rol oynuyor olabilir.

Objective: Occult hepatitis B (OHB) is defined as identification of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome in the liver and/or in the serum of HBsAg-negative individuals. We aimed to identify the situation of OHB in persons with chronic HBV infection among family members. Methods: 327 individuals (ages18 and above) who were referred to Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Outpatient Clinic between 2015 and 2016, and found as HBsAg-negative but learned the presence of chronic HBV infection among their family members (mother, father, spouse, sibling and offspring) were included in the study. HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc IgG tests were performed by ELISA, and HBV DNA levels were studied by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the sera. Results: Of the 327 persons included in the study, 168 (51.4%) were female and 159 (48.6%) were male. Only 6 (%1.8) had HBV DNA positivity. Anti-HBc IgG was positive in 110 (33.6%) and anti-HBs in 193 (59%) persons. Of the individuals whose relatives were evaluated; chronic HBV infection was found in 53 (16.2%) mothers, 60 (18.3%) fathers, 84 (25.7%) siblings, 103 (31.5%) spouses, 14 (4.3%) offsprings and in 13 (4.0%) individuals whose combinations consisted of more than one family member. Of the six cases with positive HBV DNA, 3 had spouses with a history of hepatitis B and in 3 cases, a father, brother and offspring had a history of hepatitis B. Conclusions: It is concluded that intrafamilial OHB screening is not required in family members due to the low incidence of OHB and high cost of HBV DNA testing. Considering both community health and cost, it is more appropriate to give family members the necessary education about HBV transmission paths, clinical importance and how to take measures instead of screening to prevent the emergence of new cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Infections due to blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as well as bacterial infections are among important problems in hemodialysis patients. In this study, we aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV in patients undergoing hemodialysis, to reevaluate the patients susceptible to HBV, to screen isolated anti-HBc-positive patients for occult hepatitis B after identifying them. Methods: 124 patients in hemodialysis programme and aged older than 18 years were included in this retrospective study. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc total, anti-HCV and anti-HIV were studied. HBV DNA and HCV RNA were investigated in patients with isolated anti-HBc and anti-HCV antibody, respectively. Results: HBsAg and anti-HIV were negative in all patients. The number of anti-HBs-negative and anti-HBs-positive patients was 21 (16.9%) and 103 (%83.1), respectively. Of patients, 64 (51.6%) were negative and 60 (%48.4) were positive with respect to anti-HBc. Of anti-HBs-positive patients, 50 (40.3%) had anti-HBc antibodies indicating that they had gained immunity against HBV by having the infection. Anti-HBc was positive in 10 (8%) of anti-HBs-negative patients. All of these patients whose HBV DNA was negative were included in the vaccination program. Anti-HCV was negative in 120 (96.8%) patients, and positive in 4 (3.2%) patients in whom HCV RNA was negative. Conclusions: Hepatitis and HIV markers should be checked for patients in hemodialysis centers. HBV-sensitive patients should be vaccinated and the necessary precautions should be taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Definition of occult Hepatitis B infection (OHB) is presence of HBV DNA in the liver (with detectable or undetectable HBV DNA in the serum) of individuals testing HBsAg negative by currently available assays. Several possibilities have been hypothesized as the mechanisms of OHB. The clinical significance of OHB remains vastly unknown. It is considered that OHB can be a risk factor for transmission of the HBV, cryptogenic liver disease, reactivation of the Hepatitis B infection, hepatocellular carcinoma and OHB may affect disease progression and treatment response of chronic hepatitis C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]