TITLE:
Evolution of HBV Viral Load during Clinical and Biological Follow-Up of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients at the Saint Camille Hospital in Ouagadougou
AUTHORS:
Théodora Mahoukèdè Zohoncon, T. Rose Clémence Ido Da, Nicaise Zagre, Pauline Belemkoabga, Denise P. Ilboudo, Abdoul Karim Ouattara, Paul Ouedraogo, Jacques Simpore
KEYWORDS:
Chronic Viral Hepatitis B, Viral DNA, Follow-Up, Evolution of Viral Load
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.13 No.4,
October
24,
2023
ABSTRACT: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem worldwide. The aim of this study was to document the dynamics of HBV viral load during the follow-up of chronic hepatitis B patients at the Saint Camille Hospital in Ouagadougou (HOSCO) from 2017 to 2021. This descriptive retrospective study was carried out in the Hepato-Gastro-Enterology Department of HOSCO and focused on patients who were undergoing treatment for chronic viral hepatitis B. A total of 260 cases of chronic hepatitis B were included in the study. The most affected age group was 21 to 30 years, accounting for 48.08% of the cases. Lifestyle factors included alcohol consumption (3.08%) and tobacco use (2.69%). Major risk factors for transmission included lack of vaccination (98.46%), family history of HBV infection (68.00%) and engagement in high-risk activities (28.00%). Patients requiring treatment were prescribed Tenofovir 300 mg tablets. FibroScan® showed the presence of stage F3-F4 fibrosis (2.14%) and S3 steatosis (13.33%). After one year of follow-up, 6.92% of patients achieved an undetectable viral load with normalized transaminase levels. The majority of other patients had a detectable viral load but below 20,000 IU/mL. The prevalence of viral hepatitis B remains significant worldwide. Although effective and well-monitored treatment can lead to undetectable viremia, prevention remains the most effective strategy for successful management of this disease.