Biomedical subjects

E Tsega

Publications and source records attributed to E Tsega.

75 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis C virus infection and chronic liver disease in Ethiopia where hepatitis B infection is hyperendemic.

To assess the prevalence and possible aetiological association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent and recombinant immunoblot assays in 500 healthy volunteer blood donors, 14 patients with chronic hepatitis, 156 cirrhotics and 68 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Ethiopia. The prevalences of anti-HCV were 1.4%, 21%, 36% and 46%, respectively. There was no apparent risk factor to suggest the mode of transmission of HCV. Of the 238 patients, 65 (27%) had circulating hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (denoting current infection), 131 (55%) had antibodies to hepatitis B surface (anti-HBs) and/or core (anti-HBc) antigens (past infection) and 42 (18%) had no hepatitis B virus (HBV) marker. Anti-HCV antibodies were present in only one patient with HBsAg, in 54% with past infection and in 68% of those without HBV markers. Thus, HCV infection was uncommon in HBsAg-positive patients but significantly more common in patients with chronic liver disease and HCC who had evidence of past HBV infection or no marker for HBV infection. HCV infection appeared to be a more common cause of chronic liver disease and HCC than HBV infection in this population. However, considering the high prevalence of overall exposure to HBV infection (68% in healthy blood donors and 82% in those with chronic liver disease, including HCC), HBV is significant in terms of national preventive strategies.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Antibody levels in Ethiopian children five years after vaccination with two different doses of hepatitis B vaccine: is there a need for booster vaccine?

It was hypothesized that, following effective initial vaccination, a booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine will not be necessary in areas of hyperendemicity for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A total of 314 Ethiopian children, ranging from two to 14 years old, were alternatively vaccinated with 10 and 20 micrograms hepatitis B vaccine doses, using the initial, one- and six-month schedule. Five years later, 210 of the vaccinees were retested for anti-HBV surface antibody titres. Both 10 and 20 micrograms doses of hepatitis B rDNA yeast vaccine were equally immunogenic and protective against HBV infection for at least five years despite marked reduction of mean antibody levels and geometric mean titres, with 11% of the vaccinees showing antibodies below the protective level. For firm further recommendations a longer follow-up period of vaccinees is suggested.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunogenicity, reactogenicity and comparison of two doses of recombinant DNA yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine in Ethiopian children.

Hepatitis B virus infection and its sequelae, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver and primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC), are important medical problems in Ethiopia. There is a possibility to prevent these by mass immunization of neonates and children. To achieve this, the cost of the hepatitis B vaccine must be possible within the limited health budget of the country. This study, therefore, was conducted to find out comparative safety and immunogenicity of two doses, 10 mcg and 20 mcg, of recombinant DNA yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine in children, 2-14 years old. Three hundred and fourteen non-immune children, from an initial sample of 380 children, were grouped into those below and those above 8 years of age. Each group was further subdivided into boys and girls and each group was given either 10 mcg or 20 mcg hepatitis B vaccine, alternately, using the 0-1-6 months schedule. Anti-HBs titres were determined at one, two and seven months. Side effects were recorded by parents for three days following each injection. Comparison of seroconversion rates (97-100%) and anti-HBs geometric mean titres (3421-6336) of boosted vaccinees in the different sex, age and dose groups showed no significant differences. There were minor side effects recorded in 76 children. Therefore, the 10 mcg and 20 mcg doses of recombinant DNA yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine are equally safe and highly immunogenic in children 3-14 years of age.

Adolescent↗