The status of occult HBV infection in a high endemic region: risk of community HBV transmission and reactivation.
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OBJECTIVES: Occult hepatitis B virus (OBI) infection, characterized by the presence of HBV DNA in the absence of detectable HBsAg in the blood, is considered a potential hidden pathway for HBV transmission and reactivation, which can lead to liver cancer. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of OBI in a region of Uganda with high HBV endemicity, in order to help explain variations in HBV distribution within the country. RESULTS: Among the 387 participants who tested negative for HBsAg, the majority were women (240 individuals, 62.0%), married (242 individuals, 62.5%), and aged 30 years or older (207 individuals, 53.5%). The OBI was detected in 21 participants (5.43%). Most of those with OBI were 30 years old or younger (13 individuals, 61.9%), male (12 individuals, 57.1%), had normal liver enzyme levels, and showed an average viral load of 194.4 IU/mL with a standard deviation (SD) of ± 122.05.