Abstract
Pakistan is endemic to hepatitis B and C infections. Alarming rise in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been noticed in some areas of Sindh with an increasing risk for co-infection frequency in this region. To estimate the burden of HBV/HCV infection in Hyderabad Pakistan. ELISA and Nucleic acid Amplification test were performed to detect viruses. SPSS and online calculator were used for statistical analysis. From a total of 108 seropositive hepatitis patients, 36.1% (n=39) were found HCV RNA-positive. Non-significant differences were observed in the frequencies of HCV infection for both genders [OR=0.735, CI (95%) 0.307-1.761, p<0.05]. The percentage of HBV DNA detection among 108 HCV-seropositive cases was 17.9% (n=19). However, HCV-HBV co-infection in HCV-RNA positive cases was determined in 48.7% (n=19) cases with non-significant difference in both genders [OR=1.51, CI (95%) = 0.38 - 5.96, p< 0.05]. Analysis suggested weakly positive correlation between HCV mono-infection and HCV-HBV co-infection and age (r =0.184, and r =0.1231), respectively. The study demonstrates a high prevalence of HBV co-infection among active hepatitis C patients of Hyderabad.
Highlights
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C identified as the most prevalent causes of hepatitis in diverse groups of population including general population, health care workers, children and patients with short-term hepatitis and chronic liver diseases
2 billion people are infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and the annual mortality rate approaches about 0.9 million around the world in people suffering from Hepatitis B associated complications[1,2]
HBV vaccine was introduced more than three decades ago[6], the infectivity ratio of hepatitis B is still exceedingly distressing, affecting around 350-400 million individuals with chronic infection worldwide, of whom 75% belong to Asia[7,8,9]
Summary
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C identified as the most prevalent causes of hepatitis in diverse groups of population including general population, health care workers, children and patients with short-term hepatitis and chronic liver diseases. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major sources of chronic hepatitis and affects about 71 million people. HBV infection approximately affects 9 million people in Pakistan[13]. Objective: To estimate the burden of HBV/HCV infection in Hyderabad Pakistan. Results: From a total of 108 seropositive hepatitis patients, 36.1% (n=39) were found HCV RNA-positive. HCV-HBV co-infection in HCV-RNA positive cases was determined in 48.7% (n=19) cases with non-significant difference in both genders [OR=1.51, CI (95%) = 0.38 - 5.96, p< 0.05]. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a high prevalence of HBV co-infection among active hepatitis C patients of Hyderabad. Molecular surveillance of HCV mono-infection and HCV-HBV co-infection in symptomatic population at Hyderabad, Pakistan.
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