Hepatitis B, C and Delta virus infections in Albanian patients with chronic liver disease: evaluation of possible changes during the last 10 years.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of viral hepatitis markers and of alcohol intake was evaluated in 106 and 99 Albanian patients with the diagnosis of viral and/or alcoholic chronic liver disease who were consecutively admitted to the University Hospital Center of Tirana, during 1995 and 2005, respectively.


RESULTS
A slight decrease in HBsAg (78 vs. 70%) and HBeAg (18 vs. 12%) prevalences were observed in patients admitted to the hospital during 2005 compared with those admitted during 1995, respectively. In both periods of time, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA (genotype D) tested positive in all HBsAg-positive patients and in 36% of HBsAg-negative patients. Anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence (mainly observed after 30 years of age) was 14 versus 11%; anti-hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) prevalence (more frequently present in young age group patients) was 9 versus 7% during 1995 and 2005, respectively. Among patients who reported alcohol intake, alcoholic liver disease (HBsAg and anti-HCV negative) was diagnosed in 35 and in 57% of patients admitted during 1995 and 2005, respectively (P = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In Albanian patients with chronic liver disease, we have found that: (i) HBV remained the most important aetiologic factor of chronic liver disease; HDV and HCV prevalences were still low, (ii) in HBsAg-positive patients, HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis prevailed, (iii) in HBsAg-negative patients, HBV DNA prevalence was high, (iv) during the last decade, an increased prevalence of alcohol intake in the aetiology of chronic liver disease was observed.
Kondili
Loreta A
LA
Viral Hepatitis Unit, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome 00161, Italy.
Cuko
Liri
L
Chionne
Paola
P
Candido
Angela
A
Madonna
Elisabetta
E
Dentico
Pietro
P
Resuli
Bashkim
B
Taliani
Gloria
G
Brunetto
Maurizia R
MR
Rapicetta
Maria
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000415:Albania / Q000453:epidemiology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D019701:Hepatitis D, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral