Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Inactive Carriers of Hepatitis B Virus: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study in Burkina Faso

Backgrounds: This study aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of inactive HBV chronic carriers at the gastroenterology department of the university teaching hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo. Materials & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January ۱, ۲۰۰۷ to December ۳۱, ۲۰۱۴ by employing a prospective data collection method. It was a census of all cases meeting the eligibility criteria. All patients with chronic viral hepatitis B (VHB) and ≥۱۵ years of age and presenting the following signs were included in this study: positive result on hepatitis B surface antigen test for at least ۶ months, normal levels of alanine amino-transferase for at least one year, positive anti-HBe antibodies, negative HBeAg, and viral DNA < ۲۰,۰۰۰ IU/mL. Findings: The mean age of patients was ۳۵ years, and the mean duration of HBsAg carriage was ۶ years. The physical examination was normal in all participants. Ultrasound exam was normal in ۱۵۰ (۹۲.۶%) participants and showed a fatty liver in ۱۲ (۷.۴%) participants. Overall ۴.۴% of participants developed severe fibrosis, and no patient developed cirrhosis. The main indications for drug treatment included the existence of a family history of hepatocellular carcinoma (۳۶.۷%), the presence of active hepatitis (۳۳.۳%), and the progression of the fibrosis (۳۰%). Conclusion: This study confirms the importance of close follow up of HBV-infected patients to dramatically reduce the risk of developing complications such as cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma.

Keywords:

Hepatitis B infection , HBeAg negative , Inactive Carriers , Sub Saharan Africa