ROLE OF HEPATOTROPIC VIRUSES IN THE LIVER PATHOLOGY OF SOUTH-WEST CAMEROON

Between 1990 and 1992 (2 years), 102 patients with clinical liver path ology underwent standardized clinical, pathological, sonographic and s erologic investigations (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV autoantibodies and tumor m arkers). During the same period seroepidemiological studies with the s ame parameters as above were performed on the following control groups : healthy pregnant women (n = 383), blood donors (n = 85), HIV-positiv e individuals (n = 93), and hospitalized patients in all age groups wi th minor ailments unrelated to liver pathology (n = 108). The results are discussed in detail. Virtually all adults had HAV infection.HBV an d HCV infection arrears to play a major role in chronic liver patholog y in southern Cameroon. The two infections frequently occur together ( over 40% of liver cases) and correlate significantly with liver cirrho sis. The marked prevalence of HBV and HCV markers in healthy pregnant women is of epidemiological concern due to the potential for vertical transmission of the infection (immunization). Endemic infections such as falciparum malaria are probably responsible for unspecific stimulat ion of the immune system, which is reflected in a generally marked pre valence of autoimmune markers in liver patients and controls, since hi stologically there was no evidence of autoimmune liver disease.