1Nma, M. A., 2Yaqub, S. A., and *2Olufemi, O. J.
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
2Department of Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: olayinkajoshua1@gmail.com
Abstract:
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis and is a leading contributor to hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), imposing a substantial burden on healthcare systems due to its high morbidity, mortality, and treatment costs. HBV infection remains a major public health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Investigating the serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and selected inflammatory markers in individuals seropositive for hepatitis B envelope antibody (HBeAb) provides valuable insights into disease progression, early detection of HCC, and monitoring treatment efficacy. This study assessed serum levels of AFP and selected inflammatory markers such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein, albumin, and globulin among chronic HBV patients seropositive and seronegative for HBeAb at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, Nigeria.
Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 70 chronic HBV patients at UITH, Ilorin, Nigeria, including 30 patients seropositive and 40 patients seronegative for HBeAb. Sociodemographic information of the patients was collected using a designed form. Serum levels of AFP, ALT, AST, total protein, albumin, and globulin were determined using ELISA and spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed using the MannWhitney U test and Spearman’s correlation, with p≤0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Serum AST and ALT levels were significantly lower in patients seropositive for HBeAb (17.43±33.90 IU/L and 11.13±10.95 IU/L) than patients seronegative for HBeAb (34.90±22.95 IU/L and 23.00±8.68 IU/L; p=0.040 and p=0.000 respectively). AFP level was also significantly lower in patients seropositive (17.59± 44.32 ng/mL) compared to patients seronegative (44.31±14.80ng/mL) for HBeAb (p=0.003). Serum total protein and globulin were significantly higher in patients seropositive for HBeAb (75.97±11.89g/L and 29.70 ±4.17g/L; p=0.001 and p=0.000 respectively). Serum albumin was higher in patients seropositive for HBeAb (46.33±9.54 g/L), but this was not statistically significant from patients seronegative (41.95 ±7.80g/L) for HBeAb (p=0.081).
Conclusion: HBeAb seroconversion is associated with improved liver function, reduced hepatic inflammation, and decreased HCC risk. Monitoring AFP and liver enzyme markers can aid the management of chronic HBV infected patients in resource-limited settings.
Keywords: HBV, HBeAb, HBsAg, AFP, liver enzymes, hepatocellular carcinoma
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