Magnitude and genotype of hepatitis delta virus among chronic hepatitis B carriers with a spectrum of liver diseases in Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic hepatitis D infection contributes substantially to the progression of chronic liver disease, especially in most low and middle-income countries, where hepatitis B virus-related chronic liver disease is endemic. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude and genotype of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) among patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related liver diseases in Ethiopia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 323 known HBsAg positive individuals comprising 220 patients with CHB-related liver diseases [121 advanced liver diseases (hepatocellular carcinoma /HCC/ and non-HCC) and 99 chronic hepatitis (CH)], and 103 symptomless blood donors (BD) were enrolled. An ELISA kit was employed to determine HDV infection, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect HDV RNA. In addition, a non-coding genomic RNA region was sequenced for genotyping and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Irrespective of the stage of liver disease, the overall magnitude of HDV was 7.7% (25/323). The frequency of anti-HDV increases with the severity of liver disease, 1.9%, 4%, 10%, and 21.3% among BD, CH, non-HCC, and HCC patients, respectively. HDV RNA has been detected in 1.54 %(5/323) cases with a mean viral load of 4,010,360 IU/ml. All isolates were found to be HDV genotype 1. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of HDV infection increased with the severity of liver disease, indicating HDV infection is more common among patients with CHB-related liver diseases in Ethiopia.

Young male patient with advanced breast cancer: a case report.

Breast cancer in male is a rare disease, accounting for less than 1% all breast cancer cases. The incidence of male breast carcinoma increases with advancing patient age. This is the case report of a young man with a breast mass, which turned out to be malignant.

Prevalence of HIV and Its Co-Infection with Hepatitis B/C Virus Among Chronic Liver Disease Patients in Ethiopia.

Background: The efficient use of antiretroviral drugs has significantly reduced AIDS-related morbidities and mortalities; however, mortality due to non-AIDS-related end-stage liver diseases is escalating in those living with HIV. Objective: The study was designed to determine the prevalence of HIV and its co-infection with HBV and HCV among chronic liver disease (CLD) patients in Ethiopia. Methods: Three hundred and forty-five CLD patients were included in this study in two groups: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n=128) and non-HCC (n=217) patients. The non-HCC group comprised patients with advanced liver disease (n=98) and chronic hepatitis (n=119). Enzyme immunoassays were used to determine HBV and HCV infection markers. In addition, a serial rapid HIV testing algorithm was employed to screen HIV infection. Results: Regardless of the stage of liver disease, the overall frequency of HIV was 4.3% (15/345), with a 2% (7/345) and 0.3% (1/345) of HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV co-infection rate. Of all HIV-infected patients (n=15), 46.7% (7/15) and 6.7% (1/15) were co-infected with HBV (HBsAg+HBcAb+) and HCV (anti-HCV+ HCV-RNA+), respectively, and 86.7% (13/15) exhibited a marker of HBV exposure (total HBcAb+). Overall, the frequency of HIV and its co-infection with HBV was more noticeable among HCC than non-HCC patients [8.6% (11/128) vs 1.8 (4/217), p=0.005 and 3.9% (5/128) vs 0.9% (2/217), p=0.1]. The rate of HIV mono-infection was 3.9% (5/128) vs 0.9% (2/217) among HCC and non-HCC patients. Conclusion: The frequency of HIV and its co-infections with HBV/HCV exhibited an increasing pattern with the severity of the liver disease. Thus, screening all HIV-positive patients for HBV and HCV infection and all CLD patients for HIV infection and taking necessary preventive measures would be an essential strategy to prevent the progression of CLD and death related to liver disease in people living with HIV.

Thyroid neoplasms in Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Addis Ababa: a retrospective review with emphasis on cancer.

Reportedly, thyroid cancer is a rare disease in most parts of the world. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of the disease is not known. This study aims to present the experience on thyroid cancer of a main central referral hospital. During the period 1993-02, 137 cases of thyroid neoplasms were operated on in Tikur Anbessa Teaching Hospital, Addis Ababa. Of these, 114 of 130 patients whose records were retrieved were retrospectively reviewed Neoplastic disease of the thyroid was found to be more common in younger age groups (mean age, 37 years) and in females (F: M ratio, 1.7: 1.0). Features of advanced malignant disease were not rare (21 cases). Of the 75 thyroid cancers, papillary carcinoma was the most common histologic type (72%). The extent of surgical treatment included partial, subtotal, near total and total thyroidectomy. In 15 cases, the lesions were found to be unresectable. The long-term outcome of treatment was difficult to evaluate, as the follow-up time was short. We believe that this paper will give base-line information on the frequency of thyroid cancer (7.5%) for a more comprehensive study in the future.