Clinicopathologic features of dual chronic hepatitis B and C infection: a comparison with single hepatitis B, C and delta infections.
There is controversial data in the literature about the characteristics or features of dual hepatitis B and C infection. Several studies have reported that the dual infection has a more severe histological picture; faster progression leading to cirrhosis and a higher risk for hepatocellular carcinoma compared with the single infections. These findings have not yet been supported. We assessed the patients with dual hepatitis B and C infection with respect to their different features in our country.


METHODS
the chronic hepatitis patients of our clinics were tested, and both HBsAg and anti-HCV positive patients with chronic hepatitis were enrolled to the study. All patients were tested for the biochemical parameters and the presence of HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA.


RESULTS
Of the 1950 patients, 51 (2.6%) were both HBsAg and anti-HCV positive and 67 were anti-delta positive. Patients were followed up for 5.4+/-2.1 years. Of the 51 dual hepatitis patients, 6 had no HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA detectable by PCR, 36 were only HCV-RNA positive, 9 were only HBV-DNA positive and 3 were both HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA positive. Dominant infection in (3/4) of the patients was hepatitis C. Clinical and histological properties of the cases with dual Hepatitis B and C infection showed no significant differences compared to the single infections. In conclusion, regarding the prognosis, no significant differences were found between such dual and single infections. Dual infection with hepatitis B virus and delta virus is a significantly more severe condition than the dual infection with hepatitis B and C viruses.
Senturk
Hakan
H
Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul.
Tahan
Veysel
V
Canbakan
Billur
B
Dane
Faysal
F
Ulger
Yakup
Y
Ozaras
Resat
R
Tabak
Fehmi
F
Ozbay
Gulsen
G
D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis