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Metanat M, Almasi SZ, Sepehri Rad N, Tabatabaee SM, Rezaei K. Seroepidemiological Investigation of Hepatitis B and C Prevalence and Associated Factors Among People in Custody at Zahedan Central Prison. ARCHIVES OF IRANIAN MEDICINE 2024; 27:298-304. [PMID: 38855799 PMCID: PMC11264623 DOI: 10.34172/aim.23553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND On a global scale, approximately 350 million are affected by hepatitis B, and 71 million by hepatitis C. People in custody face elevated risks for these infections. The prevalence and risk factors in Iranian prisons are insufficiently documented. The principal objective of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of hepatitis B and C, coupled with the identification of pertinent influencing factors, within the confines of Zahedan central prison, situated in the southeastern region of Iran. METHODS In 2019, we conducted an analytical cross-sectional study involving 407 people in custody, using stratified random sampling. To definitively diagnose hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (P<0.05), a checklist developed by the researchers, along with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, were employed. RESULTS This study comprised 406 participants (96.3% male) with a median age of 32 years (27-38). Approximately 62% were married, and a substantial proportion of the participants had low education levels (47%), unemployment (64%), and belonged to the Baloch ethnicity (64%). The overall prevalence of hepatitis C and B infections was 2.7% and 10.6%, respectively. Tattooing (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.9-4.5) and marriage (AOR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.05-3.04) were identified as risk factors for hepatitis B. Moreover, hepatitis C showed a statistically significant association with a family history of hepatitis B and C (AOR: 3.31, 95% CI: 3.93-24.64) and intravenous (IV) drug use (AOR: 7.01, 95% CI: 1.52-32.78) according to the multivariable logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION The prevalence of hepatitis B and C was higher among people in custody in Zahedan central prison. Consequently, targeted interventions are vital to address and reduce viral hepatitis burden in custodial settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maliheh Metanat
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Zeinab Almasi
- Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nahid Sepehri Rad
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaee
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Kosar Rezaei
- Department of Epidemiology, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
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El-Mowafy M, Elegezy M, El-Mesery M, Elgaml A. Characterization of a breakthrough vaccine escape strain associated with overt hepatitis B virus infection. Virus Genes 2024:10.1007/s11262-024-02055-w. [PMID: 38349448 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-024-02055-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine is composed of the purified hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) that is produced by recombinant DNA technology. The neutralizing antibodies induced by vaccination target mainly the "a" determinant, aa124-147, of the outer viral envelope (HBsAg). In the present work, we demonstrate a case study for vaccinated patient that is infected with a vaccine escape HBV strain (Eg200). Characterization of the isolate Eg200 showed that it belongs to the genotype D and an uncommon sub-genotype in Egypt; D9. The DNA sequence encoding HBsAg was sequenced. Mutational analysis of the HBsAg showed a double mutation in the "a" determinant of this HBV isolate; T125M and P127T. However, such substitutions were found to be conserved to the detected serotype, ayw3, of Eg200 isolate. This case report indicates that continuous characterization of breakthrough vaccine escape strains of HBV is essential to develop the immunization strategies against HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed El-Mowafy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Elegezy
- Department of Endemic Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Mesery
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Abdelaziz Elgaml
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University, New Damietta, Egypt.
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Mokhtari AM, Barouni M, Moghadami M, Hassanzadeh J, Dewey RS, Mirahmadizadeh A. Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of universal hepatitis B virus vaccination in Iran: a Markov model analysis. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021; 17:1825-1833. [PMID: 33734949 PMCID: PMC8115605 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1845522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is an essential way to prevent the transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Various studies have been published on the cost-effectiveness of HBV vaccination, but since the results vary according to the target population and related health outcomes, this study examined the cost-effectiveness of the universal HBV vaccination in Iran. In this economic evaluation study, a decision tree with the Markov model was used to compare the universal HBV vaccination with a strategy of non-vaccination. Health states used in the model included healthy, chronic hepatitis B, compensated cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. Analyses were performed from a payer's perspective. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per life-year gained, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained were calculated at a 5% annual discount rate. The sensitivity analysis was conducted using Monte Carlo simulation. Analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel and TreeAge Pro 2011 software. In 2017, the estimated cost per dose for any HBV vaccine was $3.20 USD. The universal HBV vaccination was economically advantageous compared to non-vaccination, and the estimated cost of this program per life-year and QALY gained were $6,319 and negative (-) $1,183.85 USD, respectively. Given the uncertainty of all parameters, the model remained robust and reliable. In Iran, the universal HBV vaccination strategy for both health outcomes of QALY and life-years gained was cost-effective and advantageous. The vaccination strategy saved money, increased life years and improved quality of life. Therefore, it is recommended that this program continues to be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mohammad Mokhtari
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | - Mohsen Barouni
- Health Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohsen Moghadami
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Jafar Hassanzadeh
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Department of Epidemiology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Rebecca Susan Dewey
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Alireza Mirahmadizadeh
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Mokhtari F, Mohebbi SR, Sharifian A, Ramandi M, Razzaghi MR. Circulating non-coding RNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers in liver diseases. GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY FROM BED TO BENCH 2021; 14:S10-S23. [PMID: 35154598 PMCID: PMC8817748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The liver plays a principal role in the human body as a metabolic and detoxifying unit. Liver diseases are the world's major health problems and affect millions of people worldwide. Early detection of liver diseases is certainly effective in timely treatment and prevention of their progression. Liver injury is associated with significant alterations in immune responses and pattern changes in various tissue-related gene expressions and cytokine production. Increasing or decreasing the specific spectrum of non-coding RNAs in different phases of liver disease can be a criterion for diagnosis. Novel diagnostic biomarkers are needed for liver diseases. Currently, micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are known to play important roles in the diagnosis of liver diseases. Circulating biomarkers such as miRNA-assisted diagnosis can conceivably be helpful for the early treatment of liver diseases. In this review, we look at miRNAs and their potential applications in liver diseases as diagnostic biomarkers were investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fedra Mokhtari
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Mohebbi
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afsaneh Sharifian
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Ramandi
- Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Razzaghi
- Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Trends in Mortality Rates for Gastrointestinal Cancers in Fars Province, Iran (2005-2015). J Gastrointest Cancer 2020; 51:63-69. [PMID: 30663013 DOI: 10.1007/s12029-019-00204-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In Iran, cancers are the third leading cause of death, and gastrointestinal cancers are the primary cause of mortality among all the cancers. This study aimed to determine the trend of crude and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) for different types of gastrointestinal cancers over an 11-year period in Fars province (Iran). METHODS In this study, all the mortality data for gastrointestinal cancers were derived from the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS) between 2005 and 2015. Subsequently, we calculated the crude and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) and their trends for different types of gastrointestinal cancers based on age groups and gender over the study period. RESULTS A total of 6547 deaths from gastrointestinal cancers were identified, with an average age of 66.0 ± 16.4 years. The crude and age-standardized mortality rates for gastrointestinal cancers were respectively 10.9 and 15.0 per 100,000 population in 2005 which significantly increased to 17.4 and 19.4 per 100,000 population in 2015 (P < 0.001). The ASMR for colon, pancreatic, and oral cancers showed an increasing trend; for small intestine cancers, a decreasing trend; and for esophageal, gastric, rectal, and hepatobiliary cancers displayed an almost constant trend. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows a higher ASMR and an increasing trend of gastrointestinal cancers in Fars province. Prevention and early diagnosis programs with screening techniques should be implemented to control the mortality rate of gastrointestinal cancers in the future.
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Hepatitis B s-Antigen Seroconversion Rate After Primary Immunization Series with Newly Introduced Pentavalent Vaccine: A Report of Regional Study in Alborz Province, Iran, 2016. ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2019. [DOI: 10.5812/pedinfect.83565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Bijani B, Allami A, Jafari F, Hajmanoochehri F, Bijani S. Long-term immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine and impact of a booster dose on health care. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2019; 33:20. [PMID: 31380310 PMCID: PMC6662535 DOI: 10.34171/mjiri.33.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Accidental exposure to sharp instruments is an important problem for health care students. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the rate of immunity in health care students 2 decades after national neonatal hepatitis B (HB) vaccination.
Methods: All junior students attending medicine, nursing and midwifery schools were screened for anti-HBs. One dose of hepatitis B vaccine was offered to all participants who did not have antibodies to HB surface antigen (anti-HBs) of > 10 IU/L; then, they were tested for anti-HBs after a month. The participants were classified into 3 groups: postboosting nonimmune, postboosting immune, and preboosting immune. Chi square test and ANOVA were used for data analysis.
Results: In the first step, 65.20% of participants did not show immunity, but after receiving a booster dose, only 6.0% remained nonimmune. The mean age of nonimmune students was significantly higher than that of students who had postboosting immune and preboosting immune status (p=0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Also, the mean injection time from last shot was higher in postboosting immune group compared to preboosting immune group (p<0.001). Also, prebooster anti-HBs level was significantly different among participants with suboptimal response and those who developed anamnestic response, indicating preserved immune memory (p=0.001).
Conclusion: High anamnestic response to HBV booster dose indicates sufficient immunity to HBV in the majority of health care students. However, identifying students who cannot respond to a booster dose of vaccine seems to be necessary at the beginning of health care courses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad Bijani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Abbas Allami
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Jafari
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | | | - Soroush Bijani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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Behzadifar M, Gorji HA, Rezapour A, Bragazzi NL. Prevalence of hepatitis C virus among street children in Iran. Infect Dis Poverty 2018; 7:88. [PMID: 30269685 PMCID: PMC6166285 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0469-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Street children are forced to spend a lot of time away from their homes and some of them do not have homes at all, due to economic and family problems, which makes them exposed to many health problems, such as the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Iran, like many other countries in the world, experiences the burden of street children, however, the rate of HCV among street children is virtually unknown. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HCV among street children in Iran. Main body This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The study protocol of this review was registered in PROSPERO under identification term CRD42018082336. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify published studies reporting on the prevalence of HCV among street children in Iran. Several international scholarly databases, including Web of Science, PubMed®/MEDLINE®, Embase, Scopus®, Google Scholar and Directory of Open Access Journals, as well as Iranian databases such as MagIran and Barakathns were searched. Studies published between 1988 and December 2017 with any of the following keywords were selected: (street OR homeless OR labour) AND (children OR child OR infant) AND (hepatitis C OR hepatitis C virus OR HCV OR viral hepatitis OR hepatitis OR hepacivirus) AND Iran. Moreover, a grey literature search was performed in order to obtain other potentially relevant studies. The search was carried out without any language restrictions. Four studies, surveying a total of 1691 street children, conducted between 2006 and 2017 were found to be eligible for inclusion in the review and therefore analysed. Three studies were conducted in Tehran and one in Isfahan. The prevalence of HCV among street children in Iran was found to be high, at 2.4% (95% CI: 1.8–3.3). Conclusions Since the prevalence of HCV among street children in Iran is quite high, health decision- and policy-makers should pay more attention to street children and widen support channels, both social and economic. Further studies should be conducted among street children in different cities of Iran to add to the knowledge base of HCV among street children in the country. The health system should provide facilities for street children to be screened to quickly diagnose illnesses and prevent them from developing complications. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40249-018-0469-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Behzadifar
- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hasan Abolghasem Gorji
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Aziz Rezapour
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- School of Public Health, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Efficacy of Hepatitis B Vaccination in Under Five-Year-Old Children in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2018. [DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.65385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
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10
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Kabir K, Hoseini H, Miri M, Amrollahi F, Bahraini E, Afrogh P, Kalantar E. Prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis infections in Karaj, Iran. Pan Afr Med J 2017; 28:186. [PMID: 29599884 PMCID: PMC5871252 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2017.28.186.10269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Viral hepatitis is challenging for health and blood safety. Studies carried out on blood donors can help find the frequency and trending of hepatitis B and C infections in a community and also safety of donation. The study aim is to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV in Karaj blood donors over a four year period between 2010 to 2013. Methods This study reports the results of a cross sectional seroepidemiological study of hepatitis B and C in blood donors. Data on hepatitis infection and demographic characteristics of donors were gathered from blood donor registries. Frequency of hepatitis infections were described with 95% confidence interval. Chi square and logistic regression were used for analysis. Results The frequency of HBV and HCV infection in Karaj blood donors was 0.40% and 0.18% respectively. In first time donors, HBV and HCV positivity risk was respectively 3.59 and 4.8 fold in people with primary education (OR=3.59; 95% CI between 2.68-4.80) comparing to academic level. Frequency of hepatitis B has decreased significantly (P<0.001) during study period but frequency of Hepatitis C has not changed significantly. Conclusion The frequencies of HBV and HCV infection in Karaj blood donor population is low. There are equal infection rates within both genders. This must be considered in controlling transmission of infection in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kourosh Kabir
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Hassan Hoseini
- Blood Transfusion Researcher Center, High Institute for Education and Research in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran.,Karaj Regional Blood Transfusion Center, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad Miri
- Blood Transfusion Researcher Center, High Institute for Education and Research in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran.,Karaj Regional Blood Transfusion Center, Karaj, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Amrollahi
- Blood Transfusion Researcher Center, High Institute for Education and Research in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran.,Karaj Regional Blood Transfusion Center, Karaj, Iran
| | - Elham Bahraini
- Biochemistry Department of Medicine Faculty, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Afrogh
- Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Enayatollah Kalantar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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Hepatitis B Vaccination Efficacy in Iranian Healthcare Workers: A Meta-Analysis Study. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2016. [DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.37781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
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Borzooy Z, Jazayeri SM, Mirshafiey A, Khamseh A, Mahmoudie MK, Azimzadeh P, Geravand B, Boroumand MA, Afshar M, Poortahmasebi V, Hosseini M, Streinu-Cercel A. Identification of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and viral antigens in healthcare workers who presented low to moderate levels of anti-HBs after HBV vaccination. Germs 2015; 5:134-40. [PMID: 26716102 DOI: 10.11599/germs.2015.1081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Worldwide, healthcare workers (HCWs) show different levels of response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine. One of the factors associated with vaccine unresponsiveness may be the existence of current or past HBV infection. Regardless of the presence of HBsAg (overt infection), occult HBV infection (OBI, defined as presence of HBV DNA in the absence of HBsAg) might also account for some non- or hypo-response cases. METHODS Sera from 120 HBsAg-negative HCWs with low and moderate levels of anti-HBs, <10 IU/mL (group I) and <100 IU/mL (group II) respectively, were selected and were examined for OBI by sensitive real-time PCR regardless of HBV serological profiles. Direct sequencing on surface genes was carried out in OBI-positive cases. RESULTS Four (3.3%) were positive for OBI. All were negative for anti-HBc. Two of the positive cases had moderate levels of anti-HBs (>10 to <100 IU/mL). No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of risk factors or serological data. No mutations were found in surface proteins of OBI cases. CONCLUSION OBI in these subjects might be due to other factors rather than presence of "a" determinant mutations. Healthcare workers with inadequate to moderate levels of anti-HBs (<100 IU/mL) following vaccination, regardless of their serological profile for HBV, should be tested for the presence of HBV DNA by sensitive molecular tests. Anti-HBc is not a reliable marker for suspicion of OBI, especially in high-risk group individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Borzooy
- PhD student, Ms, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; Department of Immunology and Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Jazayeri
- MD, PhD, Clinical virologist, Hepatitis B Molecular Laboratory, Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbass Mirshafiey
- Ms, PhD, Head of the Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Khamseh
- Bs, Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Karkhaneh Mahmoudie
- Bs, Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pedram Azimzadeh
- Ms, Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Geravand
- Ms, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Boroumand
- MD, Pathologist, Department of Pathology, Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Afshar
- Bs, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Mirza Kouchak Khan Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahdat Poortahmasebi
- Ms, PhD student, Virologist, Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Hosseini
- Ms, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Adrian Streinu-Cercel
- MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; National Institute of Infectious Diseases, "Prof. Dr. Matei Balş", Bucharest, Romania
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