We investigated the prevalence of infection with hepatitis B virus among adult Vietnamese patients hospitalized for severe Plasmodiumfalciparum malaria. Sera from patients admitted with severe malaria in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, between May 1991 and January 1996 were assayed for hepatitis B surface antigen (HB(s)Ag) by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The overall prevalence of HB(s)Ag was 23.77% (77 of 324). This was higher than reported estimates of prevalence in the general catchment population for the study hospital (mean, 9.8%; range, 9-16%). No association was found between risk of death caused by severe malaria and HB(s)Ag. Patients admitted with cerebral malaria had a slightly greater risk of registering positive for HB(s)Ag (relative risk, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.58) relative to other manifestations of severe malaria. Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus may be a risk factor for severe malaria.
Nguyen Hoan Phu, Nicholas Day, Phung Quoc Tuan, Nguyen Thi Hoang, Tran Thi Hong Chau, Ly Van Chuong, Ha Vinh, Pham Phu Loc, Dinh Xuan Sinh, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Hoa, Deborah J Waller, John Wain, Atthanee Jeyapant, James A Watson, Jeremy Farrar, Tran Tinh Hien, Christopher M. Parry, Sir Nicholas White
Ha Vinh, N. T. H., N. H. Phu, C. Luxemburger, L. V. Chuong, Pham Phu Loc, T. T. M. Trang, Ha Vinh, Bui Minh Cuong, D. J. Waller, D. X. T. Sinh, Nicholas P. J. Day, Tran Tinh Hien, Sir Nicholas White
Nguyen Hoan Phu, Phung Quoc Tuan, Nicholas Day, Nguyen TH, Tran TH Chau, Ly Van Chuong, Dinh Xuan Sinh, Sir Nicholas White, Jeremy Farrar, Tran Tinh Hien
Discussion(0)
No comments yet. Be the first to comment.