Recombinant HCV Core Antigen (aa 2 - 192) [Beta-galactosidase]

Acute hepatic illness is an important health issue in children. Our work aimed to determine the prevalence of viral hepatitis in symptomatic children. It is a prospective cohort study of 268 children presented with acute hepatitis. Complete blood count, liver panel, and anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgM were done initially. Cases negative for HAV were tested for anti-hepatitis E (HEV) IgM, anti-Epstein-Barr virus viral capsid antigen (EBV VCA) IgM, anti-cytomegalovirus virus IgM, hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis B core IgM antibody, and anti-HCV antibody. Anti-HCV was repeated after 12 weeks to exclude seroconversion. In cases with negative viral serology, ceruloplasmin, total immunoglobulin G, antinuclear antibody, and abdominal ultrasound were done. Follow-up visits were bimonthly till recovery, then after 6 months. The mean age +/- SD was 7.1 +/- 3.7 years (1.5-18), and 56% were males. Acute HAV infection was diagnosed in 260 (97%) of cases and acute EBV infection in one case (0.4%). HAV/HEV coinfection was excluded in 70 HAV-positive cases. Six (2.2%) children remain undiagnosed and one child lost follow-up. About 80% of HAV-cases had normal laboratory results within 45 days. Unusual presentation of HAV infection was noticed in six children: four (1.5%) were relapsing, one had a cholestatic course, and one case had severe hemolytic anemia. Acute HAV infection was the chief etiology of acute hepatitis in our Egyptian children. The majority of the presentations were mild and children recover within a few weeks. An unusual pattern of HAV in children can be observed in endemic areas.

Objectives The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence and epidemiological features of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in China. Methods Two thousand and forty patients newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS from 10 provinces in China were selected during 2009 to 2010. Serum samples obtained from each individual were screened for HBV and HCV serum markers [HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), HBV surface antibody (HBsAb), HBV envelope antigen (HBeAg), HBV envelope antibody (HBeAb), HBV core antibody (HBcAb) and HCV antibody (HCVAb)]; liver function tests were also performed. Demographics and medical histories were collected. Results Of the 2040 patients, 741 (36.3%) were positive for at least one HBV and HCV serum marker; 300 (14.71%) were HCVAb positive, and 248 (12.16%) were isolated HCVAb positive; 222 (10.9%) were positive for HBsAg; 19 (0.93%) were positive for both HBsAg and HCVAb. The highest prevalence of HBsAg positivity was found in Guangxi (15.31%), followed by Guangdong (15.19%) and Shanghai (14.36%). The highest prevalence of HCVAb positivity was found in Xinjiang (43.18%), followed by Henan (39.06%) and Yunnan (27.36%). The proportion of patients with abnormal liver function in patients positive for HCVAb and/or HBsAg was significantly higher than that in those who were negative for both HCVAb and HBsAg (P<0.001). Conclusions The seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among patients newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in China is high. HBsAg and HCVAb positivity prevalences were found to vary significantly in different provinces in China. Patients newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and coinfected with HBV and HCV are at higher risk of abnormal liver function. It is necessary to routinely screen for HBV and HCV infection among patients newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.