Hepatitis A infection and primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

The prevalence of antibody to the hepatitis A antigen (anti-HAV) has been studied in Senegal, among patients suffering from primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) and among healthy blood donors. Anti-HAV was found in 62.5% of 64 cases of PHC as compared to 64% of 50 blood donors. Anti-HAV was as prevalent among PHC patients who evidenced chronic hepatitis B infection as among those without markers of chronic hepatitis B infection. These data suggest that hepatitis A infection is not associated with PHC in Senegal.