Risk factors and clinical features of acute viral hepatitis B

Abstract

Introduction: Following the introduction of infant HBV immunization in 1991 in Mongolia, dramatically decline in the reported annual incidence of acute hepatitis demonstrating the remarkable impact of mass immunization. Nevertheless, incidence of HBV remains moderate among unvaccinated adults. Aims and Methods: A prospective study was conducted (2017-2019) in 105 adult patients diagnosed with acute HBV and hospitalized in NCCD, to understand risk factors and clinical features of acute HBV infection and its natural evolution. Results: The infection rate was highest among the age group of 21-30 (67,6%), mean age 25.2±6.0. Study of HBV infection risk factor in the last six months denotes several behavioral and health care services are related, counting 12.5% for dental treatment, 4 (3.85%) for tattoos, and 3 (2.9%) for ear piercings. Liver function tests showed a steady decrease in bilirubin, ALT, and AST. Serological tests showed HBsAg remained positive in 7.6% of the patients after six months and 6.7% within a year. Conclusion: Risk factors for acute hepatitis B virus include dental treatment, unprotected sex, and shared nail clipper. 93.3% of acute HBV patients were recovered, 6.7% developed chronic HBV and 71.4% of the patients who developed chronic HBV are tested positive with Delta virus infection.