1Research Scientist, Central Research Laboratory, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Pudhucherry, India
2 Professor and Head, Dept. of Microbiology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Pudhucherry, India
3 Associate Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Pudhucherry, India
4 Research Associate, Central Research Laboratory, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Pudhucherry, India
5 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Pudhucherry, India
*Corresponding Author E-mail: bala.rangasamy5@gmail.com
Online published on 12 August, 2016.
HBV infection in humans is a global health problem which accounts for morbidity and mortality rates associated with its serious complications like cirrhosis of liver and carcinoma of liver. The incidence of HBV in India has an intermediate range of 2% to 7%. A five year retrospective study was conducted on the seroprevalence of HBs Ag among the patients attending Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Pudhucherry from January 2011 to December 2015.
A total of 67903 patients of both sexes and ages ranging from 1 year to 88 years were included in this study. HBsAg screening was primarily done by rapid card test and reconfirmed by ELISA.
1.73% of the study population was positive for the presence of HBsAg with a male predominance of 2.73% over female (1.09%). A gradual increase in the prevalence rate was seen during each successive years of this study.
An increasing prevalence was observed in each succeeding year of the study. Preventive measures and awareness programmes are to be taken into serious consideration to control the rising trend of HBV infection.
ELISA, HBs Ag, HBV, Seroprevalence, Introduction
