Authors: Sourabié Y, Kiemdé I, Gomgnimbou MK, Ouédraogo MS, Traoré Y, Fumoux F
Background: Quantitative detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in serum or plasma has become the most direct and reliable method for monitoring chronic hepatitis B. Here, we report the contribution of real-time PCR hepatitis B DNA quantitative assay, the COBAS TaqMan HBV test (Roche Diagnostics, Meylan, France) in the treatment of patients infected with viral hepatitis B in Bobo-Dioulasso.
Methods: This is a prospective study conducted over a period of ten months (December 2014 to October 2015). Samples come from patients with viral hepatitis B infectious who are being monitored at hospital from Bobo Dioulasso. The serums were from whole blood collected by venipuncture in subjects of study. After centrifugation, all serum obtained was aliquoted into two cryotubes; one used to screen for HBs Ag and total Anti-HBc and the other stored at -80°C until use for this study. Serologically positive samples were sent to the Cerba laboratory in France for the determination of viral DNA by real-time PCR.
Results: A total of 75 patients tested positive for HBs Ag. The average age was 40 ± 12 years, the great majority (41.33%) between 31-45 years of age. Real-time PCR confirmed the serological status of 62.66% of patients by the presence of viral DNA. The viral load was greater than 8log in 20% of patients. Male subjects had higher HBV viral loads than female subjects (p = 0.002).
Conclusion: Detection of HBs antigen is not sufficient to initiate antiviral therapy. We have coupled the viral load with the detection of HBs antigen. This has led to better management of patients suffering from viral hepatitis. Unfortunately, the inaccessibility of this technique in terms of its cost is a major obstacle in monitoring the evolution of the disease in low income setting.
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