title: [Viral markers of hepatitis B, C and D and HB vaccination status of a health care team in a rural district of Cameroon].
abstract: Ninety-three health care workers (HCW) in the Tokombere sahelian district volunteered to participate in a trial to investigate viral markers of hepatitis B, C, and D and HB vaccination status.
  
  
  METHODS
  . Sera were tested using the Vikia HBsAg kit followed by CMIA for detection of HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV. HBsAg-positive HCW were tested for HBV-DNA, anti-HDV, and, if positive for anti-HDV, HDV-RNA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of anti-HBc positivity indicated that 91% of HCW had been infected by HBV, regardless of vaccination history. Vikia HBsAg results were confirmed by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) in all HCW and were positive in 17 HCW with virus load >2000 IU/mL in 6 and HDV co-infection in 6. Anti-HCV was found in 6 HCW. Among the 55 HCW that had not been vaccinated, only 3 needed vaccination because of anti-HBc negativity. Among HCW considered for HBV treatment, one patient presenting HBV/HDV co-infection was excluded after diagnosis of hepatocarcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Systematic HB vaccination of new HCW appears unnecessary in this rural region of Africa. Anti-HBc screening is cost-effective for identifying HCW requiring vaccination. Vikia HBsAg is effective for point-of-care screening. We underline the need for universal early (preferably neonatal) HB vaccination and for availability of anti-HBV drug in limited-resource countries.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Birguel
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ndong
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhavan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sobnangou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aurenche
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lunel
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thibault
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Huraux
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000097:blood; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines