Laboratory Profile of Hepatitis B and C in Users of a Reference Service
Laboratory Profile of Hepatitis B and C in Users of a Reference Service
Chronic hepatitis by the B virus (HBV) and/or by the C virus (HCV) is a major public-health
 problem since it presents a long phase of clinical latency which makes its early diagnosis
 difficult and results in the development of a large number of cases to complications such as
 cirrhosis, hepatic insufficiency and hepatocarcinoma. In Brazil, it is estimated that the
 number of HBV is two million, of which 72 thousand have been reported. As regards HCV, the
 ratio is one of three million estimated cases to 52 thousand reports. Learning about the
 serological profile of the users of a viral hepatitis reference service is fundamental for
 the planning of diagnostic and caregiving actions; therefore, it is the objective of this
 study.
Chronic hepatitis by virus B (HVB) and/or by virus C (HVC) is a major public-health problem
 since it presents a long phase of clinical latency which makes its early diagnosis difficult
 and results in the development of a large number of cases to complications such as cirrhosis,
 hepatic insufficiency and hepatocarcinoma. In Brazil, it is estimated that the number of HVB
 patients is two million, but only 72 thousand have been reported. As regards HVC, the ratio
 is three million estimated cases to 52 thousand reports. Learning about the serological
 profile of the users of a viral hepatitis reference service is essential for the planning of
 diagnostic and therapeutic actions; therefore, it is the objective of this study.

 Five hundred and thirty-one HVB and HVC serological profiles of the patients referred to
 SAE/HD within a period of 18 months (January 2006 to June 2007) were studied by means of
 retrospective analysis. The patients were classified as: a) HBV: carrier, cure, isolated
 anti-HBc and vaccinated; b) HVC: reagent anti-HVC; c) HBV/HVC co-infection: AgHBs and reagent
 anti-HVC; and d) Susceptible: non-reagent serology.

 As regards HBV, the following were found from the total number of patients: carriers, 12.6%;
 cure, 18.9%; isolated anti-HBc, 9.0% and vaccinated, 6.2%. The patients with reagent anti-HVC
 comprised 31.3% of the total number of individuals. HBV/HCV co-infection was 0.6%.
 Susceptible individuals comprised 20.5%.

 It was concluded that approximately 45% of the referred patients carried chronic infection by
 B and/or C virus, a condition which requires additional investigation and, in many instances,
 specific treatment. Strategies for early diagnosis are essential in order to prevent the
 intrinsic complications of such condition.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with laboratory tests positive for hepatitis B and/or C

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  No laboratory tests available