Serological Markers of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Truckers Transiting Gusau Town, Zamfara State, Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one that attacks the liver and could results in both acute and chronic diseases. Hepatitis B serologic testing amongst the truckers will help identify asymptomatic HBV carriers towards assisting WHO global hepatitis strategy aimed at reducing new infections. The truckers as a result of long delivery routes often sleep away from home making them more prone to unhealthy reckless living. The objective of this work therefore was to evaluate serological markers of HBV infection among truckers transiting Gusau town, northwestern Nigeria using standard methods. Of the 264 truckers screened for different serologic markers of HBV infection, 55 (20.8%) of them were positive for HBsAg, 173 (65.5%) were susceptible to infection, 12 (4.5%) had previously healed HBV infection, and only 6 (2.3%) had received vaccination and thus immuned to the infection. Out of the 55 HBV positive cases, 30 (54.5%) were HBeAg-negative and anti-HBe-positive and are therefore inactive carriers with low infectivity. However, 10 (18.2%) were positive for HBeAg but anti-HBe negative indicating presence of active HBV replication and high infectivity. In fifteen (27.3%) of the HBV cases, HBeAg and anti-HBe were both absent and could be as a result of HBV mutants that are unable to secrete the pre-core protein (HBeAg). The large number of infectious (18.2%) and susceptible cases (65.5%) amongst the truckers calls for concerted efforts in upscaling public health campaigns and routine vaccination schedule aimed at elimination of the disease as a public health burden.