Molecular surveillance of HCV mono-infection and HCV-HBV co-infection in symptomatic population at Hyderabad, Pakistan

BACKGROUND: Pakistan is endemic to hepatitis B and C infections. Alarming rise in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been noticed in some areas of Sindh with an increasing risk for co-infection frequency in this region. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the burden of HBV/HCV infection in Hyderabad Pakistan. METHODS: ELISA and Nucleic acid Amplification test were performed to detect viruses. SPSS and online calculator were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: From a total of 108 seropositive hepatitis patients, 36.1% (n=39) were found HCV RNA-positive. Non-significant differences were observed in the frequencies of HCV infection for both genders [OR=0.735, CI (95%) 0.307–1.761, p<0.05]. The percentage of HBV DNA detection among 108 HCV-seropositive cases was 17.9% (n=19). However, HCV-HBV co-infection in HCV-RNA positive cases was determined in 48.7% (n=19) cases with non-significant difference in both genders [OR=1.51, CI (95%) = 0.38 - 5.96, p< 0.05]. Analysis suggested weakly positive correlation between HCV mono-infection and HCV-HBV co-infection and age (r =0.184, and r =0.1231), respectively. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates a high prevalence of HBV co-infection among active hepatitis C patients of Hyderabad.