Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV 1 / 2 in patients undergoing surgery in a tertiary care hospital in north India (a hospital based study)

Abstract

This was a prospective observational study carried over a period of one year (1st Jan - 31st Dec 2018). The aim of the study was screening of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV infection in patients undergoing elective surgery in order to provide both preventive and treatment services and to reduce the transmission to health care workers. Materials and methodsThe patients dated for elective surgery were taken up for the study. These patients were screened for HBs Ag and antibodies to hepatitis C and HIV 1/2 respectively. SD HBs Ag ELISA 3.0 and SD HCV ELISA 3.0 were used for detection of HBs Ag and IgG antibodies to HCV respectively. The antibodies to HIV 1/2 were identified by coomb AID, a rapid immunoassay test. ResultsIn our study we have found that the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection was 1.91% and 1.05% respectively. Three patients were positive for both HBV and HCV (0.03%) None of the patients were positive for HIV. ConclusionThere is a significant seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral infections in surgical patients. Risk factors include reuse of contaminated syringes, surgical instruments and lack of pre/postoperative precautions.