Epidemiology of occult hepatitis B and C in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Juliette Laure Ndzie Ondigui; Sebastien Kenmoe; Cyprien Kengne-Ndé; Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo; Guy Roussel Takuissu; Raoul Kenfack-Momo; Donatien Serge Mbaga; Serges Tchatchouang; Josiane Kenfack-Zanguim; Robertine Lontuo Fogang; Elisabeth Zeuko'o Menkem; Ginette Irma Kame-Ngasse; Jeannette Nina Magoudjou-Pekam; Arnol Bowo-Ngandji; Nadège Mafopa Goumkwa; Seraphine Nkie Esemu; Lucy Ndip; Sara Honorine Riwom Essama; Judith Torimiro

Journal of Infection and Public Health (Dec 2022)

Epidemiology of occult hepatitis B and C in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Juliette Laure Ndzie Ondigui,
Sebastien Kenmoe,
Cyprien Kengne-Ndé,
Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo,
Guy Roussel Takuissu,
Raoul Kenfack-Momo,
Donatien Serge Mbaga,
Serges Tchatchouang,
Josiane Kenfack-Zanguim,
Robertine Lontuo Fogang,
Elisabeth Zeuko'o Menkem,
Ginette Irma Kame-Ngasse,
Jeannette Nina Magoudjou-Pekam,
Arnol Bowo-Ngandji,
Nadège Mafopa Goumkwa,
Seraphine Nkie Esemu,
Lucy Ndip,
Sara Honorine Riwom Essama,
Judith Torimiro

Affiliations

Juliette Laure Ndzie Ondigui: Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon; Molecular Biology Laboratory, Chantal Biya International Reference Centre for AIDS Research (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
Sebastien Kenmoe: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; Correspondence to: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Molyko, Buea 00237, Cameroon.
Cyprien Kengne-Ndé: Epidemiological Surveillance, Evaluation and Research Unit, National AIDS Control Committee, Douala, Cameroon
Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo: Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Guy Roussel Takuissu: Centre for Food, Food Security and Nutrition Research, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon
Raoul Kenfack-Momo: Department of Biochemistry, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Donatien Serge Mbaga: Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Serges Tchatchouang: Scientific Direction, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
Josiane Kenfack-Zanguim: Department of Biochemistry, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Robertine Lontuo Fogang: Department of Animal Biology, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
Elisabeth Zeuko'o Menkem: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Ginette Irma Kame-Ngasse: Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon,
Jeannette Nina Magoudjou-Pekam: Department of Biochemistry, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Arnol Bowo-Ngandji: Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Nadège Mafopa Goumkwa: Molecular Biology Laboratory, Chantal Biya International Reference Centre for AIDS Research (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
Seraphine Nkie Esemu: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Lucy Ndip: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Sara Honorine Riwom Essama: Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Judith Torimiro: Molecular Biology Laboratory, Chantal Biya International Reference Centre for AIDS Research (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15, no. 12
pp. 1436 – 1445

Abstract

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Background: Occult hepatitis B (OBI) and C (OCI) infections lead to hepatic crises including cases of liver cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). OBI and OCI also pose a significant problem of their transmissibility. This study aimed to assess the overall prevalence of OBI and OCI in the African continent, a region highly endemic for classical hepatitis B and C viruses. Methods: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched: PubMed, Web of Science, African Journal Online and African Index Medicus for published studies on the prevalence of OBI and OCI in Africa. Study selection and data extraction were performed by at least two independent investigators. Heterogeneity (I²) was assessed using the χ² test on the Cochran Q statistic and H parameters. Sources of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analyses. This study was registered in PROSPERO, with reference number CRD42021252772. Results: We obtained 157 prevalence data for this meta-analysis, from 134 studies for OBI prevalence; 23 studies on OCI prevalence, and a single study on the OBI case fatality rate. The overall estimate for the prevalence of OBI was 14.8% [95% CI = 12.2–17.7] among 18579 participants. The prevalence of seronegative OBI and seropositive OBI was 7.4% [95% CI = 3.8–11.8] and 20.0% [95% CI = 15.3–25.1] respectively. The overall estimate for the prevalence of OCI was 10.7% [95% CI = 6.6–15.4] among 2865 participants. The pooled prevalence of seronegative OCI was estimated at 10.7% [95%CI = 4.8–18.3] and that of seropositive OCI at 14.4% [95%CI = 5.2–22.1]. In Sub-group analysis, patients with malignancies, chronic hepatitis C, and hemodialysis had a higher OCI prevalence. While those with malignancies, liver disorders, and HIV positive registered highest OBI prevalence. Conclusion: This review shows a high prevalence of OBI and OCI in Africa, with variable prevalence between countries and population groups.

Published in Journal of Infection and Public Health

ISSN: 1876-0341 (Print); 1876-035X (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Infectious and parasitic diseases; Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-infection-and-public-health

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