Abstract:
The main aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence
and the possible risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection amon g
haemodialysis patients attending dialysis centers in Khartoum
State, Sudan. One hundred and seventeen (n= 117) subjects were
investigated during the period from January to May, 2010. Most
of the subjects examined were males (65%), age ranging from 19-
76 years. The hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), the main
serological marker for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was
detected among 10.3% haemodialysis patients using both
immunochromatographic test (ICT) and the enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There were no remarkable
difference between the prevalence of HBsAg among married
dialysis patients compared to single ones. The results revealed that
the highest prevalence rate for HBV infection (12%) was among
the age group >61 years. There were a substantial difference
between the prevalence of HBsAg among males (14.5%) compared
to females (2.4%).The analyzed data revealed that patients under
treatment for 70-93 months (50%) had a greater risk in HBV
positivity, an indication that duration of dialysis has significant
effect in contracting the disease. Both serological techniques
employed were, equally, sensitive in detection of HBV infection.
The results obtained in this study illustrated that the previous
jaundice was a profounder to HBV infection among the subjects
examined. Blood transfusion was found to be the possible risk
factor for the infection , however, no other risk factors (e.g,
intravenous drugs, medical intervention and previous surgery)
were found to be predisposing to the infection.
