Baseline seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in two Saudi high-risk groups: patients on haemodialysis and patients with congenital bleeding disorders.
Because background seroepidemiological data are required before nationwide vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) is attempted, the rate of exposure to HBV was investigated in two high-risk Saudi groups: patients on haemodialysis and patients with congenital bleeding disorders. Although the HBsAg carrier rate was higher in patients with congenital bleeding disorders (11.1%) than in patients on haemodialysis (4.6%), the exposure rate to HBV was similar in both groups (38.8%-44.5%). Because of this high exposure rate it seems cost-effective, at least in the Saudi population or in countries which are endemic for HBV, to screen for HBV markers before vaccination against HBV is recommended.
Arif
M
M
Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
al-Momen
A K
AK
Huraib
S
S
Ramia
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002353:Carrier State; D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications*; D002836:Hemophilia B / Q000150:complications; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000150:complications*
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens