Hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic cirrhosis, and hepatitis B virus infection in Nigeria.
A total of 200 consecutive patients bearing histologically confirmed primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) were studied at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (CTH), Calabar, Nigeria in 5 years and compared with 150 patients with metastatic hepatic carcinoma (MHC). Four hundred symptomless non-icteric nontumor-bearing individuals were noncontemporaneous controls. Sera (a total of 750) were assayed for markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs). Specimens which were positive for HBsAg also were examined for hepatitis E antigen (HBeAg) and antibody (anti-HBe). The results show that PHC was associated with HBV seropositivity in 80% of patients, and postnecrotic (macronodular) cirrhosis of the liver in 90% clearly indicating a strong association between primary liver cancer and HBV infections and liver cirrhosis. The main factor associated with seropositivity among normal controls was a large number of therapeutic injections. Seropositives received over twice as many injections as seronegatives. Public health measures are urgently required to prevent parenteral transmission of HBV in Nigeria.
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Department of Surgery, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012307:Risk Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens