Evaluation of the Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Patients with Lymphoma

Aim:Hepatitis enfection reactivation during chemotherapy is a major problem in lymphoma patients. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in lymphoma patients treated in our center.Materials and Methods:The files of non-hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients treated in our center between 2011-2018 were retrospectively reviewed. HBsAg, Anti-HBs, Anti-HBc and Anti-HCV parameters of the patients were evaluated.Results:In 21 (8.7%) of the 240 NHL patients, HBsAg antigen was positive. Anti-HCV positivity was detected in 9 patients (3.7%). In 79 (33%) patients, HBsAg (-), Anti-HBs (+) and Anti-HBc (+) were detected and evaluated as previous hepatitis B infection. In 10 (9.1%) of the 110 HL patients, HBsAg was positive and Anti-HCV positivity was detected in 3 patients (2.7%). In 29 (26.4%) patients, HBsAg (-), Anti-HBs (+) and Anti-HBc (+) were detected and evaluated as previous hepatitis B infection. When HBsAg and Anti-HCV positivity rates were compared between NHL and HL patient groups, no statistically significant difference was detected (p values were 0.9 and 0.63, respectively).Conclusion:According to the data of our country higher positivity of HBV and HCV was determined in lymphoma patients. Hepatitis B and C positivity in our region poses an important problem. Necessary information about vaccination and prevention methods should be provided.