1MD (Microbiology), Associate Professor, Microbiology Department, Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, Ram Nagar, Banur Distt-Patiala, Punjab
2MD (Microbiology), Professor, Microbiology Department, Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, Ram Nagar, Banur Distt-Patiala, Punjab
3MD (Microbiology), Professor and Head, Microbiology Department, Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, Ram Nagar, Banur Distt-Patiala, Punjab
*Corresponding author email id: drmaninderk@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 27 July, 2017.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are major public health concerns. Moreover, due to enhanced immunodeficiency caused by HIV, there is more risk of coinfection of these hepatitis viruses in the HIV-infected individuals.
The present study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV, and their coinfections among the general population attending a tertiary care hospital in Punjab.
During a 2-year retrospective study, a total of 6751, 6971, and 66, 668 serum samples were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV antibody, and anti-HIV antibody, respectively, using rapid immunochromatographic tests. All HIV-positive samples were confirmed according to the National AIDS Control Organization guidelines. HBV-and HCV-positive samples were further confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test.
Seroprevalence of 1.41%, 4.5%, and 0.61% was found in population screened for HBV, HCV, and HIV infection, respectively. Coinfection was present in ten patients. The prevalence of all the three infections was more in males as compared to females.
The prevalence of HBV below 2% indicated low endemicity in the study population. However, high HCV prevalence was observed. Moreover, the presence of coinfections presses on the need of mandatory routine screening for HBV and HCV in HIV-infected patients.
Coinfection, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, Human immunodeficiency virus, Seroprevalence
