CD۴+ T-Lymphocyte Counts, HBeAg Status, and Hepatic Transaminase Levels in Asymptomatic HBsAg-Positive Individuals in Sokoto, Nigeria

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Asymptomatic HBsAg-positive individuals often remain undetected, with disease progression depending on viral replication and host immunity. This study assessed CD۴+ T-lymphocyte counts, HBeAg status, and hepatic transaminases in asymptomatic HBsAg-positive individuals in Sokoto, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study screened ۴۳۰ individuals during World Hepatitis Day at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital. HBsAg-positive individuals (confirmed by ELISA) were assessed for HBeAg, ALT, AST (spectrophotometry), and CD۴+ counts (Partec CyFlow counter). Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Student's t-tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Of ۴۳۰ individuals, ۵۲ (۱۲.۱%) were HBsAg-positive with mean age ۳۱ ± ۷ years. Among these, ۶ (۱۱.۵%) were HBeAg-positive, ۷ (۱۳.۵%) had elevated ALT, and ۴ (۷.۷%) had elevated AST. Mean CD۴+ counts were significantly lower in HBeAg-positive individuals (۳۶۶ ± ۷۲ cells/mm³) compared to HBeAg-negative individuals (۷۱۷ ± ۲۳۴ cells/mm³; P < ۰.۰۰۰۱). Ten participants (۱۹.۲%) had CD۴+ counts below ۵۰۰ cells/mm³, with ۳ (۵.۸%) showing advanced immunosuppression (۲۰۰–۳۵۰ cells/mm³). No significant differences existed between sexes or age groups. HBeAg positivity was significantly higher among underweight individuals (۴۲.۹%) versus normal BMI (۲.۹%; P = ۰.۰۰۷). Predominant risk factors were tattooing (۴۲.۳%) and family history (۳۶.۵%). Conclusion: HBeAg positivity and elevated transaminases indicate active viral replication and hepatocellular injury among asymptomatic carriers. The significant association between HBeAg positivity and reduced CD۴+ counts suggests impaired immune responses. Tattooing and family history as major risk factors highlight traditional practices and perinatal transmission routes. These findings emphasize the need for targeted screening programs and interventions to identify and manage asymptomatic HBV carriers in Nigeria.

کلیدواژه ها:

HBV infection ، HBsAg ، HBeAg ، CD۴+ T-lymphocyte counts ، Hepatic transaminases ، Asymptomatic carriers ، Nigeria