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Prevalence of HBeAg, anti-HBe serological markers and HBV-DNA in asymptomatic carriers in Ethiopia

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Abstract

Data on the distribution of HBV-DNA and other serological markers of hepatitis B virus infection in a population of asymptomatic carriers in Ethiopia are reported. As compared to data from other countries of similar or lower levels of endemicity, it has been found that HBV-DNA prevalence and its correlation with HBeAg/anti-HBe status is similar to that of northern Europe. HBV-DNA is present in 84% of HBe Ag-positive sera but in only 4% of anti-HBe-positive sera, where the lowest concentration of DNA (less than 5 pgr/20 µl) was found.

The trend of increasing prevalence of serological markers with age seems to indicate a considerable horizontal transmission still present in this age range (18–30). In keeping with data of other authors a 3% of HBV-DNA positivity in anti HBc only positive sera was found.

No regional or ethnical differences of HBV-DNA positive sera across the country were observed. There is also no evidence of any correlation between HBV-DNA prevalence and HBsAg subtypes ad and ay.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio di Virologia, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299 - 00161, Rome, Italy

    M. Rapicetta, G. Morace, A. M. Di Rienzo, A. R. Ciccaglione & G. B. Rossi

  2. Military Hospital, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia

    K. Hailù & D. Bekura

  3. Laboratorio di Epidemiologia, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy

    L. Bisanti & P. Pasquini

Authors
  1. M. Rapicetta
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  2. K. Hailù
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  3. G. Morace
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  4. L. Bisanti
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  5. A. M. Di Rienzo
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  6. A. R. Ciccaglione
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  7. D. Bekura
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  8. P. Pasquini
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  9. G. B. Rossi
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Rapicetta, M., Hailù, K., Morace, G. et al. Prevalence of HBeAg, anti-HBe serological markers and HBV-DNA in asymptomatic carriers in Ethiopia. Eur J Epidemiol 5, 481–485 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00140145

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