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Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infection among patients at | 8342
Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals

Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access

ISSN: 1948-5964

+44 1300 500008

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infection among patients attending a tertiary care hospital in central Nepal: A five-year study


8th World Congress on Virology

November 28-30, 2016 San Antonio, USA

Suraj Timilsina

Nepal Medical College, Nepal

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Antivir Antiretrovir

Abstract :

Viral hepatitis, caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), is a systemic disease primarily involving the liver and is a major global health problem that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. WHO estimates that viral hepatitis in South-East Asia region has nearly 100 million and 30 million people with chronic HBV and HCV infection, respectively with approximately 500000 deaths each year that are attributable to it and its sequelae, liver disease and primary liver cancer. However, the available data from the region on viral hepatitis are limited and fragmentary and may not provide a complete picture. In view of the advantage of early detection and therapy, this study was designed to assess the prevalence of the markers of HBV and HCV in patients attending a tertiary care hospital in central Nepal over a period of 5 years and compare the yearly trends of the seropositivity rates with a view to provide baseline data for further research, public health policy formulation and awareness campaign. The seropositivity records over 5 years (2008-2012) were reviewed, retrospectively. Standardized test kits were used for detection of HBV, namely, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (HEPACARD, J. Mitra and Co. Ltd, New Delhi, India) based on HBsAg detection. HCV detection was done using third generation ELISA kit (HCV TRI-DOT, J. Mitra and Co. Ltd) based on detection of antibodies against HCV in the human serum or plasma. In total, 19784 tests were performed for HBV infection where as 7686 for HCV. Female comprised the majority (70.55%) amongst those tested for HBV, while male preponderance was observed (65.24%) amongst those tested for HCV. The overall prevalence rates for HBsAg and HCV were found to be 2.18% (433) and 5.75% (440), respectively. For both HBsAg and HCV, majority of the positive cases were males and belonged to the age group 21-30 years. The annual rates showed decreasing trends for both HBsAg and HCV. This study raises serious concerns regarding HBV and HCV prevalence in our country. Although viral hepatitis showed decreasing trends, the findings show the endemicity of HBV and HCV in our country with the risk of transmission of these viruses albeit unknowingly. These findings warrant high priority efforts for prevention and control and public enlightenment campaigns.

Biography :

Email: timilsinasuraj@gmail.com

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