Prevalence Pattern of Blood Borne Hepatitis Group of Viruses in Liver Disease Patients

Co infection with hepatitis C virus and hepatitis D virus (HDV) is less common than that with HIV and HCV, although more attention has been given to HCV co infection as a result of its higher frequency of chronic disease. The present investigation was attempted to determine the exact prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection among liver disease patients. Hepatitis C virus and hepatitis D virus have been shown to suppress hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) synthesis. Thus it is possible that HDV infection occurs despite the lack of detectable HBsAg. Serum samples from 175 liver disease patients were assayed for the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg and IgM anti HBc), antibodies to HCV and antibodies to HDV using a third generation enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. 21% of the patients were positive for HBV, 2.2% were positive for both antibodies to HCV and antibodies to HDV. Most of the HCV and HDV patients had chronic liver disease. Slight variation was found in the prevalence of HBV, HCV and HDV on sex wise analysis. Individuals of the age group 51-60 years had the highest prevalence of HCV and HDV. In case of HBV it was found in the age group between 21-30 years. Among the positive subjects of hepatitis group of viruses, liver function tests were mostly abnormal particularly ALT.