Seroprevalence patterns of viral hepatitis B, C, and E among internally displaced persons in Borno State, Nigeria

Le résumé fourni par la source

• Infections with hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are highly prevalent in Nigeria. • Nigeria hosts 3.3 million internally displaced persons in formal and informal camps. • Seroprevalence testing reveals high HBV, HCV, and HEV prevalence in internally displaced persons camps. • Co-detection of viral hepatic biomarkers is common. • Hepatitis B surface antigen-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women pose risk of mother-to-child transmission. Following the outbreak of hepatitis E in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno State in 2017, we assessed hepatitis B, C, and E biomarkers (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], anti-HBC, anti-hepatitis E virus [HEV] immunoglobulin [Ig] G, and anti-HEV IgM) among IDPs in three camps in Borno State, Nigeria, to determine seroprevalence rates in these understudied populations. A total of 454 IDPs, including pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, were randomly selected, and their demographic, clinical, and epidemiological data were collected. Blood samples were tested for HBsAg and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) using rapid tests, anti-HEV IgM, and anti-HEV IgG using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The seroprevalences were 13.7% for HBsAg, 1.3% for anti-HCV, 41.9% for anti-HEV IgG, and 0% for anti-HEV IgM. There were differences between the camps depending on the displaced community. Common detection occurred in 0.2% for HBsAg/anti-HCV, 4.2% for HBsAg/anti-HEV IgG, and 0.7% for anti-HCV/anti-HEV IgG. In pregnant women, HBsAg/anti-HEV IgG co-detection rate was 28.6%, whereas HBsAg and anti-HEV IgG rates alone were 13.4% and 32.8%, respectively. Among breastfeeding mothers, 17.1%, 2.4%, and 36.6% were positive for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HEV IgG, respectively, whereas 2.2% of them were positive for both HBsAg and anti-HEV IgG. The prevalence of viral hepatitis biomarkers among the IDPs studied was higher than those reported in national figures and differed according to camps and population subgroups. There is a need for improved surveillance and access to testing for viral hepatitis biomarkers for the purpose of improved disease prevention and control in these medically underserved populations.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.