Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis-C Virus among Chronic Liver Disease Patients in Northern Haryana Region of India

Liver disease has a worldwide distribution.(1,2) Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis and primary hepatocellular carcinoma in most parts of the world. In the developing countries of Asia and Africa, though hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the commonest cause of chronic liver disease, HCV is fast evolving as an equally important infection among these populations. (3) Chronic liver disease (CLD) results from an inflammatory injury to the liver, which has persisted for six or more months without complete resolution. CLD comprises of a spectrum of disease such as chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and HCC. (4) About 1-2 million people die annually from HBV-related acute and chronic liver diseases worldwide. (5) The estimated hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroprevalence ranges between 0.1%-20% in different parts of the world. (6) The prevalence of HCV infection worldwide has been estimated to be about 3% with 170 million people affected by HCV.(7) Approximately 7% of the world's population (350 million people) are infected with HBV and 3% (170 million people) with HCV.(8) The majority of those with chronic HBV and/or HCV infection will develop complications i.e. 15%-40% may develop cirrhosis, liver failure and or hepatocellular carcinoma.(9) The exact number of patients infected with both HCV and HBV worldwide is unknown. (10) It has been estimated that over the next 20 years, the proportion of HBV/HCV infected patients with cirrhosis will increase from 16% Introduction Abstract Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are common among patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Co-infection with the two viruses is not uncommon, especially among people at high risk for parenteral infection and in areas with a high prevalence of HBV infection. To determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C virus among chronic liver disease patients and to know the co-infection of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus in chronic liver disease patients. The study was conducted on 50 clinically diagnosed chronic liver disease patients. Serum was screened for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies using qualitative immune chromatographic method. Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in 13 (26%) and anti-HCV antibody 9 (18%) patients clinically diagnosed to have chronic liver diseases. Hepatitis B virus infection was higher in males 10/37 (27.03%) compared to 3/13 (23.08%) females, whereas, anti-hepatitis C virus antibody was higher in males 7/37 (18.92%) compared to 2/13 (15.39%) females. Of the study participants, no dual hepatitis B and C virus co-infection was found. To prevent the spread of HBV and HCV, people must be educated about these infections and their mode of transmission. All clinically diagnosed patients should be tested for HBV and HCV serostatus to prevent the mortality and morbidity.