Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infections in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Telangana, India - Comparison of Pre-Pandemic and COVID-19 Pandemic times

WHO estimates show that 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B infection in 2019 1.5 new infections occurring every year and approximately 290 000 died from C, mostly cirrhosis hepatocellular carcinoma. The prevalence trends of Hepatitis C affected during the pandemic, hence this study aimed to compare difference rates, trends, demographic data, outcomes cases pre-pandemic pandemic era. was carried out a 1060 bedded tertiary care teaching hospital located 90 kilometers away Hyderabad, Telangana catering majorly rural population around 200 villages. This retrospective observational where data 4 years (March 2018 Feb 2022) patients whose samples sent Microbiology laboratory found be positive for surface antigen (HBsAg) or antibodies (Anti-HCV) included. medical records analysed like age, sex, address, requesting department, present status retrieved information system. rates calculated compared. Out total 39,578 tested antigen, 413 seroprevalence 1.04%. Among 20,394 anti-Hepatitis antibodies, 53 showing 0.25%. There 23.63% decrease number received period demonstrating impact COVID-19 on various testing. Male predominance observed both (65.37%) (56.60%) positivity study. highest 61-80 age group before but equally distributed 41 60 groups. groups whereas among group. B, 315 (76.27%) belonged cases, 37 (69.81%) areas. displayed decreasing trend era when compared Seroprevalence anti-HCV showed small increase Detailed analysis these variations will aid guiding hospitals way forward retrieval services after pandemic.