Occult HBV Infection and HCC in HALT-C Patients:

Investigators:

Anna S. Lok, MD, Timothy R. Morgan, MD, Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, MD

Hypotheses/Aims

Hypotheses: A substantial proportion of HALT-C patients have previous HBV infection because of shared risk factors for HBV and HCV infection. Past HBV infection increases the risk of HCC development among HALT-C patients.

Aims: To compare the prevalence of (a) past and (b) occult HBV infection in HALT-C patients who developed HCC and those who did not and to determine the factors associated with the presence of (a) past and (b) occult HBV infection in HALT-C patients.