Hypertransaminasemia Among Hepatitis B Virus Positive Samples Tested at Lancet Clinical Laboratories from 2016 to 2019

Abstract

Serum aminotransferases have always played a key role in the investigation of liver disease, particularly related to HBV. However, recently there has been a discussion on the usefulness of both AST and ALT, due to them being influenced by many other factors and conditions. It is for this reason that this study was conducted to bridge the gap remaining. The study was a Retrospective cross sectional study based on records of patients with HBV positive markers who had serum aminotransferase enzyme levels done at Lancet Clinical Laboratories from 2016 to 2019. Records from January 2016 to December 2019 were retrieved from the Laboratory Information System, Medi-Tech, grouped and analysed using Microsoft excel as a data analysis tool. The study included 214 participants of which 148 were males, 63 females, and 3 not identified. Both AST and ALT elevation had the highest prevalence among females as compared to males and the total ALT prevalence was 55% as compared to 42% for AST. It was also observed that for both AST and ALT, borderline elevation was the most prevalent which corresponds to 1-2 x ULN (upper limit normal). The study revealed a high prevalence of both AST and ALT, with ALT having the highest prevalence among study participants (53,2%) compared to AST (44,3%). These findings were thought to be associated with the fact that early HBV infection causes inflammation and increased hepatocyte death resulting in high aminotransferase levels and terminal illness does the same. It was also discussed that a certain proportion of the population with positive HBV markers remains asymptomatic and has a prolonged illness (Chronic infection) resulting in stable and unaltered serum AST and ALT levels, these patients may however be infectious.