Screening of Hepatitis B Virus among claimed and unclaimed dead bodies during Autopsy

Abstract

Abstract Background HBV is spread by contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person. HBV is said to be 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV. Most of the unclaimed dead bodies brought for medico-legal autopsies at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi are beggars and destitute who remain indulged in drug addiction and unsafe sex, thus more prone to HBV infection than general population. Aims To evaluate whether unclaimed dead bodies pose more risk of transmitting HBV infection than claimed dead bodies. Methods As out of all the markers for HBV, detection of HBsAg reveals present infectious status of the individual, present study was conducted on 100 claimed and 100 unclaimed dead bodies using HBsAg marker. Results Out of total 200 cases, 30(15%) cases were positive for HBsAg and hence HBV infected. On comparison, in claimed dead bodies, 7% cases were found positive for HBsAg whereas in unclaimed dead bodies, 23% cases were positive for HBsAg. Conclusion Unclaimed dead bodies brought for medico-legal autopsy should be screened for HBsAg prior to autopsy so that all the precautions can be taken to avoid contracting HBV infection.