Abstract
Viral hepatitis poses a serious threat to mankind. Hepatitis B and C Virus are blood borne pathogens that affect millions of individually globally. This study was conducted on a hospital-based population in Islamabad, Pakistan over a period of 4 months, utilizing ELISA as the diagnostic technique which suggested a higher seroprevalence rate for both HBV and HCV i.e. 2.07% and 8.24% respectively. A correlational analysis of the biochemical parameters of these individuals with HBV and HCV infection was carried out and the results indicated a positive correlation of HBV with Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), HCV with Total Bilirubin (TBil) and both the viruses with Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT). Furthermore, the risk factors in relation to these viral infections were explored upon which our data suggested that surgery, blood transfusion and contact with contaminated instruments at the barber for haircut/shaving and jewelers for piercings were the major risk factors responsible for aiding the contraction of the viral disease by patients in the hospital. These high percentages of the viral infection among the population require proper management and prevention techniques to minimize the number of casualties and further cases to provide a healthier surrounding for the people to live in.
Highlights
The purpose of the present study was to find the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infections among the population of twin cities, the risk factors associated with these viral infections and to find the correlation between Hepatitis B and C Sero-positivity with commonly measured liver biochemical markers
The serum samples were qualitatively tested against HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen) and AntiHCV antibodies through rapid diagnostic test i.e. Immunochromatographic test (ICT) followed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based confirmation automated Vitros®Eciq Immunodiagnostic Analyzer Biochemical Analysis
Serum from the blood samples of 1977 patients was initially screened by ICT method followed by confirmation with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies
Summary
Hepatitis B & C Viruses are blood borne pathogens belonging to family Hepadnaviridae and Flaviviradae, containing dsDNA with genome of 3.2 kb and ssRNA with genome of 9.6 kb respectively (Seeger and Mason, 2000; Torres et al, 2013; Catanese et al, 2013). Both HBV and HCV show great tropism towards hepatocytes. The chronic infection rate observed for HBV and HCV is 257 million and 150 million respectively with a mortality rate of 720,000 was observed owing to cirrhosis and 470,000 due to hepatocellular carcinoma collectively caused by HBV and HCV (Alam et al, 2007; Schweitzer et al, 2015; World Health Organization, 2017)
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