1. Hepatitis B, C and Delta virus infections in Albanian patients with chronic liver disease: evaluation of possible changes during the last 10 years.
- Author
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Kondili LA, Cuko L, Chionne P, Candido A, Madonna E, Dentico P, Resuli B, Taliani G, Brunetto MR, and Rapicetta M
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Albania epidemiology, Alcohol Drinking epidemiology, DNA, Viral blood, Female, Hepacivirus genetics, Hepacivirus immunology, Hepatitis B Surface Antigens blood, Hepatitis B e Antigens blood, Hepatitis B virus genetics, Hepatitis B virus immunology, Hepatitis B, Chronic diagnosis, Hepatitis C Antibodies blood, Hepatitis D, Chronic diagnosis, Hepatitis Delta Virus immunology, Humans, Liver Diseases, Alcoholic diagnosis, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, RNA, Viral blood, Time Factors, Young Adult, Hepatitis B, Chronic epidemiology, Hepatitis D, Chronic epidemiology, Liver Diseases, Alcoholic epidemiology
- Abstract
Objective and Methods: The prevalence of viral hepatitis markers and of alcohol intake was evaluated in 106 and 99 Albanian patients with the diagnosis of viral and/or alcoholic chronic liver disease who were consecutively admitted to the University Hospital Center of Tirana, during 1995 and 2005, respectively., Results: A slight decrease in HBsAg (78 vs. 70%) and HBeAg (18 vs. 12%) prevalences were observed in patients admitted to the hospital during 2005 compared with those admitted during 1995, respectively. In both periods of time, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA (genotype D) tested positive in all HBsAg-positive patients and in 36% of HBsAg-negative patients. Anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence (mainly observed after 30 years of age) was 14 versus 11%; anti-hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) prevalence (more frequently present in young age group patients) was 9 versus 7% during 1995 and 2005, respectively. Among patients who reported alcohol intake, alcoholic liver disease (HBsAg and anti-HCV negative) was diagnosed in 35 and in 57% of patients admitted during 1995 and 2005, respectively (P = 0.05)., Conclusion: In Albanian patients with chronic liver disease, we have found that: (i) HBV remained the most important aetiologic factor of chronic liver disease; HDV and HCV prevalences were still low, (ii) in HBsAg-positive patients, HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis prevailed, (iii) in HBsAg-negative patients, HBV DNA prevalence was high, (iv) during the last decade, an increased prevalence of alcohol intake in the aetiology of chronic liver disease was observed.
- Published
- 2010
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