Occurrence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C: A Multicenter Screening Campaign in Pakistan

Saadiya  Mushtaq; M Khalid Azam  Khan; Faraz  Ahmed; Eijaz  Ghani; Rao Saad Ali  Khan; Fareeha  Mushtaq

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-6.11403

Authors

Saadiya Mushtaq Department of Virology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
M Khalid Azam Khan Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital Nowshera /National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Faraz Ahmed Department of Virology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Eijaz Ghani Department of Virology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Rao Saad Ali Khan Department of Gastroenterology, Combined Military Hospital Malir /National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Fareeha Mushtaq Department of Anatomy, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-6.11403

Keywords:

Hepatitis B virus infection, Hepatitis C virus infection, Screening, Viral hepatitis

Abstract

Objective: To determine the occurrence and risk factors of Hepatitis B and C virus infection in two tertiary-level facilities in Pakistan.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: A screening campaign was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, focusing generally on the entire facility and specifically on the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), additionally, the campaign was carried out at the Department of Gastroenterology at a tertiary care hospital in Malir, Pakistan, from June 2020 to January 2021.

Methodology: A total of 2,085 individuals were included in the study. Of these, 1,085 were enrolled through the screening campaign in Lahore, of which, 600 individuals were recruited from the ENT outpatient department (OPD) and 400 were included from the Gastroenterology OPD of the tertiary care hospital in Malir, Pakistan. Specimens were collected and transported under controlled temperature conditions to the Department of Pathology, at a tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Results: Out of the total 2, 085 participants, 1330(63.78%) were males and 755(36.21%) were females while mean age of study participants was 36.15± 10.9 years. Of the total sample, 40(1.91%) were infected with viral Hepatitis B (Positive HBsAg) and 141(6.76%) were infected with viral Hepatitis C (Positive Anti-HCV).

Conclusion: The study has shown that there is high HCV antibody seroprevalence (6.76%) and relatively low HBV infection (1.91%) in Pakistan.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and serological markers of other endemic infections in HIV-infected children, adolescents and pregnant women in Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study. Int J Infect Dis. 2021; 102: 45-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.1459

2. Cui F, Blach S, Manzengo Mingiedi C, Gonzalez MA, Sabry Alaama A, Mozalevskis A, et al. Global reporting of progress towards elimination of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023; 8(4): 332-342. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(22)00386-7

3. Cladd E, Stevens P, Toy S, Kamili P, Taylor MJ, Tong GL, et al. Eradicating hepatitis B virus: the critical role of preventing perinatal transmission. Biologicals. 2017; 50: 3-19.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biologicals.2017.08.008

4. Stroffolini T, Stroffolini G. Vaccination campaign against hepatitis B virus in Italy: a history of successful achievements. Vaccines. 2023; 11(10): 1531.

https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11101531

5. Munira SL, Hendriks JT, Atmosukarto II, Friede MH, Carter LM, Butler JRG, et al. A cost analysis of producing vaccines in developing countries. Vaccine. 2019; 37(9): 1245-1251.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.11.050

6. Aggeletopoulou I, Konstantakis C, Manolakopoulos S, Triantos C. Risk of hepatitis B reactivation in patients treated with direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C. World J Gastroenterol. 2017; 23(24): 4317-4323.

https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v23.i24.4317

7. Pearlman BL, Traub N. Sustained virologic response to antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection: a cure and so much more. Clin Infect Dis. 2011; 52(7): 889-900.

https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cir076

8. Alter HJ, Liang TJ. Hepatitis C: the end of the beginning and possibly the beginning of the end. Ann Intern Med. 2012; 156(4): 317-318.

https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-156-4-201202210-00014

9. Butt AS. Epidemiology of viral hepatitis and liver diseases in Pakistan. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol. 2015; 5(1): 43-48. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10018-1129

10. World Health Organization. Global Health Sector Strategies for viral hepatitis 2016-21. Geneva: WHO; 2016. Available from: https://www.who.int/hepatitis/strategy2016-2021/ghss-hep/en

11. Arshad A, Ashfaq UA. Epidemiology of hepatitis C infection in Pakistan: current estimate and major risk factors. Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr. 2017; 27(1): 63-77.

https://doi.org/10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2017018953

12. Butt AS, Sharif F. Viral hepatitis in Pakistan: past, present, and future. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol. 2016; 6(1): 70-81.

https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10018-1172

13. Qureshi H, Bile KM, Jooma R, Alam SE, Afridi HU. Prevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infections in Pakistan: findings of a national survey appealing for effective prevention and control measures. East Mediterr Health J. 2010;16 Suppl:S15-23.

14. Janjua NZ, Hamza HB, Islam M, Tirmizi SF, Siddiqui A, Jafri W, et al. Health care risk factors among women and personal behaviours among men explain the high prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in Karachi, Pakistan. J Viral Hepat. 2010; 17(5): 317-326. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2893.2009.01230.x

15. Terrault NA, Bzowej NH, Chang KM, Hwang JP, Jonas MM, Murad MH, et al. AASLD guidelines for treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Hepatology. 2016; 63(1): 261-283.

https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.28156

16. Samo AA, Laghari ZA, Baig NM, Khoso GM. Prevalence and risk factors associated with hepatitis B and C in Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2021; 104(3): 1101-1105. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-1228

17. Ali SA, Donahue RM, Qureshi H, Vermund SH. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C in Pakistan: prevalence and risk factors. Int J Infect Dis. 2009; 13(1): 9-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2008.06.019

18. Laguna-Meraz S, Roman S, Jose-Abrego A, Sigala-Arellano R, Panduro A. A hospital-based study of the prevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV, and liver disease among a low-income population in West Mexico. Ann Hepatol. 2022;27 Suppl 1: 100579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aohep.2021.100579

19. Laguna-Meraz S, Roman S, Jose-Abrego A, Sigala-Arellano R, Panduro A. A hospital-based study of the prevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV, and liver disease among a low-income population in West Mexico. Ann Hepatol. 2022; 27 Suppl 1: 100579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aohep.2021.100579

20. Ghany MG, Strader DB, Thomas DL, Seeff LB, et al. Diagnosis, management, and treatment of hepatitis C: an update. Hepatology. 2009; 49(4): 1335-1374.

https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.22759

21. Weinbaum CM, Mast EE, Ward JW. Recommendations for identification and public health management of persons with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Hepatology. 2009; 49(5 Suppl): S35-44.

https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.22882

22. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New CDC recommendations. Atlanta: CDC; 2012. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/features/HepatitisCTesting/index.html

23. Hu KQ, Pan CQ, Goodwin D. Barriers to screening for hepatitis B virus infection in Asian Americans. Dig Dis Sci. 2011; 56(11): 3163-3171.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-011-1840-6

24. Guirgis M, Yan K, Bu YM, Zekry A. General practitioners' knowledge and management of viral hepatitis in the migrant population. Intern Med J. 2012; 42(5): 497-504. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-5994.02440.x