[Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in patients suffering from acute and chronic liver disease in three public hospitals in Durango, Mexico].
OBJECTIVE
We carried out an observational, descriptive, and retrospective epidemiological study in order to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) in patients with acute and chronic liver disease in three public hospitals of Durango, Mexico.


METHODS
Sixty five adult patients were included in the study. Fifty eight (89%) were inpatients and 7 were outpatients. Twenty three patients suffered from acute hepatitis, 10 chronic hepatitis, 29 liver cirrhosis, 2 hepatocellular carcinoma, and I fulminant hepatitis. A questionnaire was administered to all participants that included sociodemographic and epidemiological data. In addition, serum samples were analyzed for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by an immunoassay (A UZYME Monoclonal), manufactured by ABBOTT Diagnostics (North Chicago, IL, USA).


RESULTS
Out of the 65 patients, 2 (3%) were positive for HBsAg. Of the two positive cases, one had chronic hepatitis and other liver cirrhosis. Both positive cases had histories of blood transfusion, surgery, and alcohol abuse. In addition, one of them had a history of acupuncture. Previous traveling (within Mexico, abroad or both) was more frequently observed in HBsAg positive patients than in HBsAg negative patients (p <0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that the prevalence of HBV infection in patients with liver disease in the city of Durango is low. This prevalence is comparable or lower than the one reported in other Mexican cities, and lower than other countries.
Alvarado-Esquivel
Cosme
C
Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Durango, Dgo., México. alvaradocosme@yahoo.om
Arellano-Santos
Claudia Verónica
CV
Salazar-Arana
José Luis
JL
Mercado-Suárez
Miguel Francisco
MF
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors