Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen, antibodies to the Hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus in a hospital-based population in Jaipur, Rajasthan

• Main Authors: Sood Smita, Malvankar Shirish
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2010-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Community Medicine
• Subjects: Hepatitis B; hepatitis C; HIV; Rajasthan; seroprevalence
• Online Access: http://www.ijcm.org.in/article.asp?issn=0970-0218;year=2010;volume=35;issue=1;spage=165;epage=169;aulast=Sood

<b>Background:</b> Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV infections are a serious global and public health problem. To assess the magnitude and dynamics of disease transmission and for its prevention and control, the study of its seroprevalence is important. A private hospital catering to the needs of a large population represents an important center for serological<b> </b>surveys.<b> </b>Available data, at Rajasthan state level, on the seroprevalence of these bloodborne pathogens is also very limited. <b>Objective: </b>A study was undertaken to estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to hepatitis C (anti-HCV Ab) and human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV Ab) in both the sexes and different age groups in a hospital-based population in Jaipur, Rajasthan. <b>Materials and Methods</b>: Serum samples collected over a period of 14 months from patients attending OPDs and admitted to various IPDs of Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur, were subjected within the hospital-based lab for the detection of HBsAg and anti-HCV Ab and anti-HIV Ab using rapid card tests. This was followed by further confirmation of all reactive samples by a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (Abbott AxSYM) at Super Religare Laboratories (formerly SRL Ranbaxy) Reference Lab, Mumbai. <b>Results: </b>The seroprevalence of HBsAg was found to be 0.87&#x0025;, of anti-HCV Ab as 0.28&#x0025;, and of anti-HIV Ab as 0.35&#x0025;. <b>Conclusion:</b> The study throws light on the magnitude of viral transmission in the community in the state of Rajasthan and provides a reference for future studies.