title: PREVALENCE OF OCCULT HEPATITIS B INFECTION IN IRANIAN CANCER PATIENTS BEFORE CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Occult hepatitis B infection is characterized by negative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and also detectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) -DNA, with or without hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc). HBV reactivation in individuals under immunosuppressive therapy is critical, occurring in occult HBV.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of occult HBV infection among hepatitis B surface antigen negative in cancer patients before receiving chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera from 204 cancer patients who were negative for HBsAg, were tested for anti-HBc antibodies. The samples that were negative for HBsAg but positive for anti-HBc also examined for HBV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 204 HBsAg negative blood samples, 11 (5.4%) samples were positive for anti-HBc antibodies. HBV-DNA was detected in 9/11 (81%) of anti-HBc positive samples. Occult HBV infection in hematological cancers was more than solid cancers, 4.8% and 4.3% respectively. There was no significant difference in HBc antibody positivity based on vaccination, previous blood transfusions, history of familial hepatitis or biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, total and direct bilirubin levels) (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Screening of occult HBV infection by HBsAg, HBV DNA and anti HB core antibody should be suggested as a routine investigation in cancer patients before receiving chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baghbanian
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Halvani
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan Salman
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Roghani
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Health Faculty, Shaheed Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Daneshju Blv. Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hassan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lotfi
authors.affiliation: Department of haematology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Frahat
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Yazdi
authors.affiliation: Department of haematology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan-Ali
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Vahedian-Ardakani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens