clove and Hepatitis-B

Madagascar faces many difficulties in accessing diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B. The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is estimated at 6.9%. The costs associated with screening and treatment are high and not easily accessible. This article proposes a reflection on the challenges and difficulties of access to diagnosis and treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B.. The "Neo Vac" study aimed to document the life paths of people living with chronic hepatitis B, their difficulties and their perceptions of HBV. Twenty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2019 in Antananarivo with patients and gastroenterologists.. The study describes the numerous obstacles that mark the therapeutic pathways of chronic HBV patients. The first result indicates lack of knowledge of the disease by chronic HBV patients and the varied circumstances in which the disease is discovered. None of the persons interviewed had been screened on their own initiative, the screening having taken place during prenatal consultations or emergency hospitalizations or during a morbidity episode. The care pathway was characterized by doubt and anxiety due to lack of knowledge about the possible disease outcome and concern about the costs of care.. Little known by the population and health professionals, hepatitis B is rarely the subject of voluntary screening and is most often detected during an apparently unrelated health event. The exorbitant cost of treatment for patients, the cost of medical analyses and secondary costs, and the unavailability of follow-up tests outside the capital constitute barriers to access to care that are insurmountable for the majority of the Malagasy population.. This first qualitative study on the experiences of HBV-infected persons in terms of access to care and treatment in Madagascar underlines the extent to which access to treatment remains limited, due to the absence of a national policy for the prevention, screening and management of hepatitis B, which remains a highly neglected and unrecognized disease in Madagascar as well as internationally.

Topics: Caregivers; Female; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Humans; Madagascar; Pregnancy; Qualitative Research

Africa is one of the endemic regions of HBV infection. In particular, genotype E is highly endemic in most of sub-Saharan Africa such as West African countries where it represents more than 90% of total infections. Madagascar, which is classified as a high endemic area for HBV and where the most prevalent genotype is E, might play a relevant role in the dispersion of this genotype due to its crucial position in the Indian Ocean. The aim of this study was to investigate the origin, population dynamics, and circulation of HBV-E genotype in Madagascar through high-resolution phylogenetic and phylodynamic approaches. The phylogenetic tree indicated that Malagasy isolates were intermixed and closely related with sequences mostly from West African countries. The Bayesian tree highlighted three statistically supported clusters of Malagasy strains which dated back to the years 1981 (95% HPD: 1971-1992), 1986 (95% HPD: 1974-1996), and 1989 (95% HPD: 1974-2001). Population dynamics analysis showed an exponential increase in the number of HBV-E infections approximately from the year 1975 until 2000s. The migration analysis was also performed and a dynamic pattern of gene flow was identified. In conclusion, this study confirms previous observation of HBV-E circulation in Africa and expands these findings at Madagascar demonstrating its recent introduction, and highlighting the role of the African countries in the spread of HBV-E genotype. Further studies on molecular epidemiology of HBV genotype E are needed to clarify the evolutionary history of this genotype.

Topics: Bayes Theorem; Cluster Analysis; Databases, Genetic; Evolution, Molecular; Gene Flow; Genotype; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; Humans; Madagascar; Phylogeny; Population Dynamics

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus belonging to Hepadnaviridae family. Chronic infection with HBV is one major risk factor of hepatic disease. In Madagascar, former studies classified the country as part of high endemic area, as HBV prevalence can reach 23% in general population. However, this prevalence differs largely between urban and rural areas and is estimated to be, respectively, 5% and 26%. The aims of the present study were to describe the genetic diversity of HBV strains from different regions of Madagascar, and to describe the viral gene flow throughout the country by using phylogenetic analysis. This is the first large-scale molecular and phylogenetic study analyzing HBV sequences from 28 different Malagasy areas, never sampled in the past. In this study, the most prevalent genotype/sub-genotypes was E. Migration analysis showed a gene flow from zone 3 (rural) to zone 2 (suburban), and a greater gene flow from the middle part of Madagascar to the north than to the south. It is important to study the HBV infections in Madagascar and to monitor the potential spread of this viral strain inside this country. J. Med. Virol. 88:2138-2144, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; DNA, Viral; Evolution, Molecular; Female; Gene Flow; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; Humans; Madagascar; Male; Middle Aged; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Young Adult

Topics: Adult; Blood Donors; Female; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Humans; Madagascar; Male; Retrospective Studies; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Young Adult

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers was investigated in 563 inhabitants aged 15-55 years from a sugar cane region, Sirama, and from a village, Mataipako, in Northern Madagascar. Serological markers of past or present infection were significantly higher in Sirama, 74% versus 45%. There was no difference in the prevalence of chronic HBsAg carriers, 8.7% versus 8.5% between the two regions. Sequencing the S gene in 45 strains revealed a predominance of genotype E, in 53%, followed by subgenotype A1 in 22%, and genotype D in 18%. Phylogenetic analyses of the genotype E strains showed homology with West African strains. All A1 isolates were similar to Malawi strains. Most genotype D strains were subgenotype D7 and related to strains from Somalia and Tunisia. One genotype D strain formed a branch between Pacific D4 and African D7 strains at neighbor-joining analysis. The pre-core stop mutant was found in 33% of the genotype D strains, 17% of E but not in any A1 strain. The high prevalence and low variability of genotype E strains in only two villages, indicates a rather recent introduction of this genotype into Madagascar from West Africa, possibly through migration or slave trade. The wider spread and genetic relationship of genotype D with East African and Austronesian strains indicate an earlier introduction of this genotype. Molecular epidemiology of HBV may thus be used to complement linguistic and genetic studies on past human migrations in Africa.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Africa, Western; Female; Hepatitis Antibodies; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Core Antigens; Hepatitis B e Antigens; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis B virus; Humans; Madagascar; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Epidemiology; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Viral Envelope Proteins

Four rapid immunochromatographic assays--Determine HBsAg, Virucheck HBsAg, Cypress HBsAg Dipstick and Hexagon HBsAg--for human hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) detection in human serum were evaluated. A collection of reference serum samples (91 HBsAg positive and 109 HBsAg negative) stored at -80 degrees C was used. Sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) exceeded 95%, and specificity and negative predictive value (NPV) exceeded 96% for all tests. The Determine HBsAg test performed best in this study, with a sensitivity of 97.8%, a specificity and PPV of 100%, a NPV of 98.2% and an accuracy rate of 99.0%. However, the differences between the tests were not significant. Other factors should therefore also be taken into account by the Ministry of Health in its decision to recommend a particular test: price, availability, delivery time and feasibility of whole-blood testing. The Determine test appears to be the most suitable for Madagascar, based on all these criteria. The use of this test, despite its lower sensitivity, could prevent blood-borne transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in areas with limited resources.

Topics: Blood Donors; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis B virus; Humans; Madagascar; Predictive Value of Tests; Sensitivity and Specificity

The eight genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV), A-H, have a characteristic geographical distribution. The high prevalence of genotype E within a wide expanse of Africa makes it important to characterize this genotype. Although the preS/S region of a large number of genotype E isolates has been sequenced, to date only eight complete genotype E genomes have been published. The aim of this study, therefore, was to sequence and characterize the complete genome of genotype E isolates obtained from geographically distinct regions in Africa, including Namibia, Angola, and Madagascar. The nine newly sequenced genotype E isolates were closely related with an intra-group nucleotide divergence of 1.2%, reflecting their close geographical origin. All genotype E strains have the same characteristics, an in-frame deletion of three nucleotides (one amino acid) in the 5' pre-S1, a signature pattern of amino acids in the pre-S1 region and the serological subtype ayw4. In addition, we have identified another unique attribute of genotype E strains, the introduction of another start codon Met(83) in the pre-S1 region that may result in the translation of an elongated middle hepatitis B surface protein (MHBs).

Topics: Adult; Africa, Southern; Child; Female; Genetic Variation; Genome, Viral; Genotype; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B e Antigens; Hepatitis B virus; Humans; Madagascar; Male; Phylogeny; Sequence Analysis, DNA

In this article, the authors summarize studies on hepatitis B virus infection in Madagascar. Estimated prevalence rate for acute or chronic HBs antigen infection is 23% among general population which classify the country in high endemicity area. Vertical and horizontal transmissions for the childhood are high with an estimated prevalence rate for HBs antigen infection of 10 to 35% among children under less than 5-year-old according to areas. This situation indicates that an expanded program of immunization against hepatitis B virus is warranted.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Endemic Diseases; Female; Hepatitis B; Humans; Infant; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Madagascar; Male; Population Surveillance; Prevalence; Public Health; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Sex Distribution; Vaccination

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) etiology and incidence in Madagascar are not well established. The work presented here is the first documented study on HCC in Madagascar. The study was undertaken at the Centre Hospitalier de Soavinandriana, Antananarivo, from October 1995 to October 1996. Hepatocellular carcinoma was reported in 19 out of 22 patients with liver tumor included in the study. In 6 cases, patients developed post alcoholic cirrhosis HCC. Hepatitis B virus markers were detected in 48% of cases (13/19). The HBs Ag was detected in 42% of cases (8/19) in association with HBe Ag in 16% of cases (3/19), and hepatitis C virus antibodies in 11% of cases (2/18). In 3 cases, the etiology remained unknown. Hepatocellular carcinoma appeared the most frequent liver cancer, mainly due to post-hepatitis B cirrhosis. The introduction of hepatitis B vaccine in EPI (Expanded Program of Immunization) is recommended in order to reduce the percentage of hepatitis B virus carriers in the malagasy population and furthermore the incidence of HCC.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Biopsy, Needle; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B e Antigens; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C Antibodies; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Madagascar; Male; Middle Aged; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Sex Distribution

To describe the features of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Madagascar, a randomized sero-epidemiological survey was undertaken in the general population > or = 1 year old of two provinces which represents 45% of the total population. In the 921 sera tested, the prevalence of HBV markers was 20.5% for HBsAg, 38.2% for anti-HBc and 6.9% for HBeAg. HBsAg and anti-HBc prevalence rates were significantly higher in males. A large difference in HBsAg prevalence was observed between urban (5.3%) and rural areas (26.0%). The same contrast in prevalence was noticed for the other HBV markers. In rural areas, HBV infection was more frequently acquired early in infancy, which suggests predominantly perinatal or postnatal transmission. The presence of HBV markers was not significantly associated with a history of blood transfusion, surgery or parenteral injection. High infectivity carriers represented 5.3% and the overall frequency of chronic carriers was 10.4%. These results place Madagascar among areas of high endemicity.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carrier State; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Core Antigens; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Humans; Infant; Madagascar; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Rural Population; Sex Factors; Urban Population

The first serological survey of hepatitis A, B and C virus infection was carried out in Madagascar during 1993 in two rural villages (653 sera) of the middle-west. This study shows a high frequency of positivity of hepatitis A virus markers (94.9%). Hepatitis A is acquired in early childhood. The data show the high frequency of positivity of hepatitis B (HBV) markers: in the two villages 72.5% and 89.8% have one marker, and seroprevalence of HBs antigene is 18.9% and 30.5%. Hepatitis B also is acquired in early childhood. The data show that not only hepatitis A and B but also hepatitis C is highly prevalent (2.2% and 5.8%). There was an increase in HCV antibody prevalence with age.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis Antibodies; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Antibodies; Hepatitis B e Antigens; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis C; Hepatovirus; Humans; Infant; Madagascar; Male; Rural Population