BACKGROUND: There are conflicting reports on the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) mediated chronic liver disease (CLD) in India. AIM: To study the prevalence of HBV and HCV associated in CLD in north India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty five patients (66 males, 19 females; age range 16-70 years) with unequivocal CLD were analysed. CLD patients with nonviral aetiologies were excluded. All sera were tested for anti-HCV by EIA (third generation), HBsAg, IgM and IgG anti-HBc, HBeAg/Anti-HBe by EIA (Abbott Diagnostics, IL). Positive anti-HCV results were confirmed by RIBA-II assay. RESULTS: Sixteen (18.8%), 22 (25.9%) and 21 (24.7%) patients had HBV, HCV and HBV + HCV infection, respectively. Twenty six (30.6%) CLD patients had no viral markers. CONCLUSION: HCV is emerging as an important cause of CLD in India. Dual infection (HBV + HCV) is seen in 25% patients. Dual infection influences the prognosis and response rates to interferon therapy.
BACKGROUND: There are conflicting reports on the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) mediated chronic liver disease (CLD) in India. AIM: To study the prevalence of HBV and HCV associated in CLD in north India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty five patients (66 males, 19 females; age range 16-70 years) with unequivocal CLD were analysed. CLD patients with nonviral aetiologies were excluded. All sera were tested for anti-HCV by EIA (third generation), HBsAg, IgM and IgG anti-HBc, HBeAg/Anti-HBe by EIA (Abbott Diagnostics, IL). Positive anti-HCV results were confirmed by RIBA-II assay. RESULTS: Sixteen (18.8%), 22 (25.9%) and 21 (24.7%) patients had HBV, HCV and HBV + HCV infection, respectively. Twenty six (30.6%) CLD patients had no viral markers. CONCLUSION: HCV is emerging as an important cause of CLD in India. Dual infection (HBV + HCV) is seen in 25% patients. Dual infection influences the prognosis and response rates to interferon therapy.
Authors: Vinod K Dixit; Jayanta K Ghosh; Sangey C Lamtha; Pankaj Kaushik; Sundeep K Goyal; Manas K Behera; Neha Singh; Ashok K Jain Journal: J Clin Exp Hepatol Date: 2014-06-18