High proportion of hepatitis B virus-infected patients at a mild stage of disease progression: a cross-sectional study in a single reference laboratory in Cameroon.

INTRODUCTION

hepatitis B causes significant suffering owing to acute and chronic infection leading to complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Chronic Hepatitis B infection can be identified by the simultaneous use of virological, serological and biochemical markers involved in monitoring the progression of the disease. In Africa, only 1% of people infected are screened, and few benefit from antiviral treatment. This study aimed to determine the relationship between serological, biochemical and virological markers involved in the follow-up of patients with chronic viral hepatitis B virus infection at the Centre Pasteur du Cameroun.

METHODS

we conducted a cross-sectional study of patients' electronic records registered in the Laboratory Information System of the Centre Pasteur du Cameroun from 2011 to 2021. HBs antigen-positive patients with viral load, HBe antigen and liver transaminases assays were included. Chronic HBV infection phases were classified in 5 phases according to EASL which are: Phase 1: HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection, Phase 2: HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B, Phase 3: HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection, Phase 4: HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B, Phase 5: HBsAg-negative phase.

RESULTS

we registered 1652 patients, 43.9% females and 56.1% males. The median age of women and men was 31 [>25;38] years and 33 [6;40] years respectively. The transaminase levels were normal in the most patients (65.5% for ALT and 76.2% for AST), low Hepatitis B viral load (<2000 IU/mL) in 68.5% of cases and 90.1% were negative for HBe antigen. Regarding viral Hepatitis B stage, 3.4%, 6.5% and 28.1% were in stage 1,2 and 4 respectively. Most (62.0%) fell in stage 3 representing the mild HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection.

CONCLUSION

our results show that a high proportion of HBV-infected patients referred at Centre Pasteur du Cameroun are at a mild stage of disease progression.