Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and HCV antibodies in hepatocellular carcinoma cases in Karachi, Pakistan.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer the world over. In Pakistan it has an incidence of 8/ 100,000 per annum. To assess the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in biopsy proven cases of HCC a serological study was conducted at Screening Laboratory of Blood Transfusion Services, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. Of 54 sera of HCC tested for HBV and HCV infections, 67% showed HBV infection, and 33% HCV infection. Among them 24% were positive for both HBV and HCV infections. No HBV and HCV infection was found in 24% cases of HCC. Our findings suggest viral association for most of the HCC cases reported in the country. We suggest an immediate intervention strategy to prevent the spread of HBV and HCV infections by mandatory screening of blood for HBV and HCV infections, and the use of disposable/sterilized needles, instruments for all invasive procedures. For the prevention of vertical transmission of HBV infections all pregnant women should be screened and vaccinated and HBV vaccination should also be included in EPI (expanded programme for immunization).