An Evaluation of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Frequency and the Anti-hepatitis B Surface Seropositivity of Syrian Refugees in the Karabük Province
Journal Title: Viral Hepatitis Journal - Year 2019, Vol 25, Issue 3
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the frequency of hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and HCV with anti- hepatitis B Surface (HBs) seropositivity using serological and molecular methods in Syrian refugees in the Karabük. Materials and Methods: The study included the HBs Antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs, anti-HCV, HCV-RNA, HBV-DNA, and HCV genotyping results of Syrian refugees who presented at the Karabük University Training and Research Hospital between January 2016 and March 2019. Results: The 809 patients were comprised of 536 (66.3%) females and 273 (33.7%) males with a mean age of 34 years. HBsAg was found to be positive in 2.3% of patients and in all HBV-DNA were positive. The anti-HBs seropositivity rate was determined as 21.6% and a significant difference was determined between age groups (p=0.001). The anti-HCV was positive in 8 (1%) patients and the HCV-RNA viral load was determined in 7/8. In these 7 patients, the HCV genotype was determined as genotype 1b in 3, genotype 3 in 2, and genotype 4 in 2. Conclusion: This study showed that while the frequency of HBV and HCV in Syrian refugees was similar to the data for Turkey, anti-HBs seropositivity was extremely low. Hepatitis B vaccination programs for Syrian refugees should be implemented and regularly followed up.
Authors and Affiliations
Nergis Aşgın, Şerife Satılmış
Keywords
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- EP ID EP676543
- DOI 10.4274/vhd.galenos.2019.2019.0033
- Views 177
- Downloads 0
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