HEPATITIS-B VIRUS MARKERS, HEPATITIS-D VIRUS-ANTIGEN AND HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-ANTIBODIES IN NIGERIAN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER-DISEASE

Although carrier rates for the HBsAg as well as the prevalence of HBV- associated chronic liver disease (CALD) are known to be high in Nigeri a, not much is known about the role of the hepatitis C (HCV) and D (HD V) viruses. We undertook a prospective serological study of a cohort o f 50 new patients and attending a Nigerian teaching hospital for vario us forms of histologically characterised chronic liver disease. Forty- five patients (90%) had antibodies to HBcAg (anti-HBcAb). Thirty one p atients (62%) were HBsAg-positive, out of whom 15 were HbeAg-positive. Two (4%) of the HbsAg-positive patients, both suffering from liver ca ncer, were also hepatitis D antigen positive. Similarly, two (4%) pati ents were positive for anti-HCV antibodies. There were no cases of co- infection by the HBV and HCV. This study suggests that while the HBV i s the major aetiological agent of chronic liver disease in Nigeria, th e HDV is not an important aggravating factor save in a small number of patients. The HCV is probably not yet an important cause of chronic l iver disease but this situation might change when HBV infection is con trolled.