HEPATITIS VIRAL STATUS IN SINDH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis viruses, presented with acute hepatitis (AH) at Liaquat
University Hospital Hyderabad / Jamshoro. DESIGN: Hospital based descriptive of 100 individuals. PLACE
&DURATION: This study was conducted in the medical wards of Liaquat University of Medical and Health
Sciences Hospital from January, 2000 to July, 2001. MATERIAL &METHODS: A total sera of 100 patients
admitted with acute hepatitis were investigated to determine the cause. Serum samples were tested for anti-HAV,
HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc, anti-HCV, anti-HEV and HGV RNA. RESULTS: Results showed that eight (8%)
individuals were screened as hepatitis A and four (4%) had HAV/HBV co-infection. Thirty nine (39%) had hepatitis
B and hepatitis D super infection amongst HBsAg positive was found in two (2%) of individuals. Antibody to HCV
was detected in nine (9%) individuals, three with HBV and two with HEV infection, while rest of the four were
exclusively infected with HCV. Fourteen (14%) individuals probably with hepatitis E, five of whom had evidence
of antecedent HBV infection. Five (5%) individuals were screened as HGV, two of these were found to have coinfection
with HCV, another two of them were found to have mixed infection with hepatitis B and C viruses. The
viral hepatitis markers were all negative in nineteen (19%) of the total individuals. CONCLUSION: Our data
demonstrate a strong background of HBV infections rising concern about its chronic sequelae in this part of country.
Because HBV infection is highly endemic in Sindh, we propose that the community based mass immunization must
be conducted as soon as possible particularly in this area of Sindh.