Seroprevalence of viral Hepatitis B in the Marrakech region

Viral hepatitis B (HBV) is a major public health problem worldwide. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 2 billion the number of people who have been exposed to this virus, about 30% of the world population, 18% in sub-Saharan Africa and 41% in Asia, of which 5% with chronic infection or 300-350 million. So the HBV prevalence is 5.4% globally, against 1% for the HIV and 3% for hepatitis C. More than 1 million of them die each year complications essentially cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

The diagnostic of HBV (recent or chronic infection) relies on research HBs antigen in the serum of patients, it is the witness of a recent or past infection with HBV according to the presence or absence of other serological markers (HBe Ag, anti-HBs Ig and total anti-HBc and anti-HBe antibody IgM) but they do not provide information on the status of viral replication.

The detection and quantification of HBV genome (replication of viral marker) can be performed in serum, liver tissue or in blood mononuclear cells. They typically based amplification methods: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

The treatment of viral hepatitis B is for patients with hepatitis B associated with viral replication (HBV DNA positive), cytolysis (elevated transaminases) and presence on biopsy of an activity necroinflammatory or significant fibrosis.

Despite the recent antiviral therapeutics, treatment of chronic hepatitis B is difficult and expensive, and the prevention of HBV infection through routine immunization policy and prevention measures currently remains the best option for reducing morbidity and mortality from liver failure and liver cancer.

Morocco is considered far, according to WHO data, such as having an intermediate prevalence of viral hepatitis B.

Currently, few studies relate the epidemiology of hepatitis B (HBV) in Morocco. The objective of this study was the evaluation of the HBV infection prevalence in a Moroccan workers population, and compare with national and international studies.

A total of 20192 individuals were screened for HBsAg. HBV screening was conducted by immunoassay chemiluminescent micro particle (CMIA) PLC (Abbott Architect) and with a prevalence rate of HBsAg estimated at 0.55%.

These data are of interest for the diagnosis and prognosis, and therapeutic decision, and can be for the development of an eventual national strategy for the prevention of the transmission of HBV.