Volume 13, Issue 4 (12-2025)                   JoMMID 2025, 13(4): 274-281 | Back to browse issues page

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Hali B, Yakubu A, Raji H Y, Ango U M. CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Counts, HBeAg Status, and Hepatic Transaminase Levels in Asymptomatic HBsAg-Positive Individuals in Sokoto, Nigeria. JoMMID 2025; 13 (4) :274-281
URL: http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-645-en.html
CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Counts, HBeAg Status, and Hepatic Transaminase Levels in Asymptomatic HBsAg-Positive Individuals in Sokoto, Nigeria
Bello Hali * , Abdulmumini Yakubu , Halima Yunusa Raji , Umar Muhammed Ango
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Abstract:   (239 Views)
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 CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts, HBeAg status, and hepatic transaminases in asymptomatic HBsAg-positive individuals in Sokoto, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study screened 430 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 CD4+ counts (Partec CyFlow counter). Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Student's t-tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Of 430 individuals, 52 (12.1%) were HBsAg-positive with mean age 31 ± 7 years. Among these, 6 (11.5%) were HBeAg-positive, 7 (13.5%) had elevated ALT, and 4 (7.7%) had elevated AST. Mean CD4+ counts were significantly lower in HBeAg-positive individuals (366 ± 72 cells/mm³) compared to HBeAg-negative individuals (717 ± 234 cells/mm³; P < 0.0001). Ten participants (19.2%) had CD4+ counts below 500 cells/mm³, with 3 (5.8%) showing advanced immunosuppression (200–350 cells/mm³). No significant differences existed between sexes or age groups. HBeAg positivity was significantly higher among underweight individuals (42.9%) versus normal BMI (2.9%; P = 0.007). Predominant risk factors were tattooing (42.3%) and family history (36.5%). Conclusion: HBeAg positivity and elevated transaminases indicate active viral replication and hepatocellular injury among asymptomatic carriers. The significant association between HBeAg positivity and reduced CD4+ 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.
 
Keywords: HBV infection, HBsAg, HBeAg, CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts, Hepatic transaminases, Asymptomatic carriers, Nigeria
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Type of Study: Original article | Subject: Infectious diseases and public health
Received: 2024/01/8 | Accepted: 2025/12/10 | Published: 2026/02/3
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Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.