title: Hepatitis B, C and Delta virus infections in Albanian patients with chronic liver disease: evaluation of possible changes during the last 10 years.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Viral Hepatitis Unit, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome 00161, Italy.
authors.forename: Loreta A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Kondili
authors.forename: Liri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cuko
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chionne
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Candido
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Madonna
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dentico
authors.forename: Bashkim
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Resuli
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taliani
authors.forename: Maurizia R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Brunetto
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rapicetta
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral