Acquirement and disappearance of HBsAg and anti-HCV in an aged population: a follow-up study in an endemic township

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2010.02363.x/abstract

Acquirement and disappearance of HBsAg and anti-HCV in an aged population: a

follow-up study in an endemic township

Pei-Shan Tsai1,2,†, Chang-Jung Chang3,4,†, Kow-Tong Chen2, Kuo-Chin Chang4,5,

Shu-Fen Hung5, Jing-Houng Wang4,5, Chao-Hung Hung4,5, Chien-Hung Chen4,5, Po-Lin

Tseng4,5, Kwong-Ming Kee4,5, Yi-Hao Yen4,5, Chin-Chen Tsai1, Sheng-Nan Lu4,5

Article first published online: 4 NOV 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2010.02363.x

© 2010 Wiley & Sons A/S

Issue

Liver International

Volume 31, Issue 7, pages 971–979, August 2011

Abstract

Background: HBsAg and anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) are stable markers and

widely used. The seroconversion and seroclearance of HBsAg and anti-HCV are

important for disease control and prognosis of diseases.

Aims: To investigate acquirement and disappearance of HBsAg and anti-HCV in an

endemic area.

Methods: Seven years after a community screening, 1002 of 2909 residents of

Tzukuan Township were recruited. HBsAg, anti-HCV and alanine transaminase (ALT)

were checked in all who participated and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, anti-HBs,

anti-HBc, HCV RNA, anti-HDV and upper abdominal ultrasonography were studied in

different groups.

Results: There were 461 male and 541 female residents with a mean age of

66.7±8.6 years. No new HBsAg carrier was noted and the HBsAg clearance rate was

1.58% per year. One of the 17 cases with HBsAg clearance had positive HBV DNA,

three had ALT elevation, two had cirrhosis and seven had anti-HBs

seroconversion. Quantitative of HBsAg and HBV DNA were concordant and 78.1%

subjects had low levels of titration. Anti-HBc alone contributed to 32.1% and

was prominent in old age and the anti-HCV-positive group. The anti-HCV

seroconversion rate was only 0.74% per year and household transmission was the

only risk factor. Only 37.5% of cases with anti-HCV seroconversion had HCV

viraemia and the anti-HCV seroreversion rate was 0.63% per year. The anti-HDV

seroconversion rate was 0.72% per year and no subject showed anti-HDV clearance.

Conclusions: Much higher rates of HBsAg seroclearance, anti-HCV seroreversion

and anti-HBc alone were noted in this endemic area and no subject showed

anti-HDV clearance.