HBV and HCV are hepatotropic viruses leading to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide [1, 2]
HBV and HCV are hepatotropic viruses leading to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide [1, 2]. seropositive male, HBV was more prevalent (23.8%) while female patients had a high incidence of HCV (52.2%). Among the age group variable, HBV, HCV, and coinfection were found to be more common in the age groups of 21C30 (29%) and 30C40 (24%) years. Gw274150 The seropositivity for HBsAg was higher in unmarried individuals (31.2%) while anti-HCV was more prevalent in married individuals (84%). The present study provides the preliminary information about FLJ13165 high HCV and HBV prevalence. Findings from the current study will be helpful for the better management and control of viral hepatitis among patients seeking hospital care. 1. Introduction Viral hepatitis is usually a major health problem in all parts of world. HBV and HCV are hepatotropic viruses leading to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide [1, 2]. HBV is usually a member of Hepadnaviridae family harboring a DNA genome while HCV is usually RNA computer virus that belongs to Flaviviridae family [3]. Hepatitis B and C are transmitted parentally mainly as a result of blood contact, including injury with contaminated devices and sharing of needles, or by sexual contact and also through parental transmission from mother to child [4]. Hepatitis B and C infections can lead to an acute or silent course of liver disease progressing from liver impairment to liver failure, cirrhosis of liver, and hepatocellular carcinoma [1, 2]. The global prevalence of HCV is about 2.8%; while more than 185 million people are infected with HCV alone, HBV prevalence is usually variable around the globe; however, among the 2 2 billion people infected with HBV, about 360 million people are chronic carriers around the world [2, 5]. South and Southeast Asian countries have estimated prevalence rate from 1.5 to 3.5% [2]. In Pakistan the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV antibodies is about 2.5% and 4.8%, respectively, with an overall infection rate of 7.6% in the general population [6]. HBV and HCV may appear as coinfection due to the same mode of transmission [4, 7]. Several studies documented that HBV and HCV coinfection accelerates liver disease progression and increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma [7C9], and the patients need high dose of interferon treatment [10]. Although a growing body of the literature is usually available on the prevalence of HCV and HBV [6, 11, 12], limited data is usually documented around the coinfection of HBV and HCV from Islamabad. The present study reported the seroprevalence and coinfection of HBV and HCV among patients seeking hospital care in Islamabad. Findings from this study may be helpful to formulate strategy for the prevention of HBV and HCV coinfection. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Study Area The study was conducted from 1st July to 31st August, 2011, at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad. All the patient seeking hospital care were enrolled in the study. 2.2. Sample Collection During this period a total of 845 blood samples from patients seeking hospital care suspected for viral hepatitis were collected in sterilized vacutainer, dully labeled with sex, age, areas, and date of collection, and kept Gw274150 in refrigerator at ?20C for further process. 2.3. Sample Screening A total of 845 blood samples were screened for detection of HBV and HCV using ICT (immunochromatography test). The screen samples were further subjected to ELISA for reconfirmation of the test. 2.4. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) For detection of HBsAg and HCV antibodies two types of ELISA kits were used. HbsAg ELISA kit is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for qualitative detection of HBsAg in human serum or plasma. For detection of HBsAg with ELISA kit, sandwich ELISA method was used. HCV ELISA kit is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for qualitative detection of antibodies to hepatitis C computer virus in human serum or plasma. For HCV antibody detection indirect ELISA was employed. The Biokit ELISA system (BEST 2000) was used for running ELISA. 2.5. Data Analysis The data was analyzed with Gw274150 Windows 7, Microsoft Excel 2007 (Microsoft, USA). 3. Results and Discussion Of total 845 collected samples, 255 (30.1%) samples were positive for hepatitis B and C. Out of 255 samples, 45 (5.3%) were positive for HBsAg while 199 (23.5%) were positive for anti-HCV. Among 255, 11 (1.3%) were seropositive for both HBsAg and anti-HCV (coinfection) (Table 1). Among the seropositive male (= 122, Gw274150 47.8%), HBV was more prevalent (= 29, 23.8%) while female patients.