Assessment of Hepatitis B Serological Markers in Patients at the Medical Biology Laboratory of the National Hospital of Niamey

Objective: To assess the epidemiological and serological characteristics of hepatitis B among patients attending the Medical Biology Laboratory of the National Hospital of Niamey. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical purpose. Place and Duration of Study: conducted from April 1 to October 1, 2024 at the biology laboratory of the National Hospital of Niamey. Methodology: All compliant specimens received for a hepatitis B test were included. Serological markers (HBsAg, HBeAg, AcHBc, AcHBe, AcHBs, AcHCV), HBV viral load and HIV status were analyzed. Techniques used included immunochromatography (rapid tests), chemiluminescence (COBAS 6000), and real-time PCR (COBAS 4800). The data was collected via a pre-established sheet, then entered and analysed with Epi Info 7. Ethical authorizations have been obtained, and the anonymity of patients has been respected. Results: 1252 samples were identified. The patients were mostly male in 59% of cases with a sex ratio of 1.45. The mean age was 31.32 years with extremes ranging from 1 to 98 years. The requests were external in 89.80% of cases, the Chirurgue was the in-house prescribing service in 56.69% of cases. The reason for the request was a preoperative check-up in 44.73% of cases and HBsAg was positive in 17.41% of cases, positive patients were male in 9.89% of cases and the age groups of 21-31, 32-42 years were the most common in 4.64% and 4.28% of cases, respectively. HBsAc and HBeAc were positive in 7.41% and 34.64% of cases, respectively. HBeAg and HBeAg were positive in 7.35% and 75.44% of cases, respectively. The viral load was detectable in 80% of cases, and was less than 2000IU/mL in 56% of cases. HCVAC was positive in 1.61% of cases. HIV serology was positive in 0.85% of cases and in 0.32% of cases, there was an HIV-HBsAg association. Conclusion: Hepatitis B remains a major public health problem, with a significant prevalence in our context.