Occult Hepatitis B in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Being one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world. HBV infection is a major health problem with 400-500 million people chronically infected worldwide. It is a known fact that 5% of people with acute hepatitis B develop chronic infection and a substantial number of these cases develop cirrhosis associated with higher risk of, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (1). HBV infection is diagnosed by detection of various antigens belonging to this virus or the antibodies developed by the host against these antigens with specific serological tests. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is one of the most important markers of HBV infection. HBsAg positivity in serum for more than six months indicates chronic HBV infection (2,3). Antibody to anti-HBs appears