ABSTRACT
Background: HBV(Hepatitis B Virus) infection is an occupational hazard for health care workers and the risk of acquiring HBV infections depends on the frequency of percutaneous and permucosal exposure to blood or blood-contaminated body fluids. Avoiding occupational blood exposure is primary preventive means for the transmission of HBV. However, the single most effective measure for the prevention of hepatitis B is active immunisation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried among 204 medical and nursing students in second year of their course using pre-designed questionnaire comprised of questions which included age, sex, qualification, awareness, occupational risk perception & vaccination against hepatitis B infection. Results: 69.12% of the respondents knew various modes of transmission of hepatitis B. More than half (56.86%) of the respondents knew that HBV infection causes liver cancer. 79.41% of the respondents knew the correct course of action after a needle stick injury. Only 61.27% of the respondents knew that blood soaked cotton and dressings are discarded in yellow coloured bags and that sharps and needles are disposed in white coloured bags. Only 36.46% of medical students & 57.41% of nursing students were completely vaccinated. Conclusion: Considering the long-term consequences of HBV infection, the health of the study population is at risk. Preventive strategies against the diseases, especially vaccination programmes, should be developed and taken aggressively to improve the vaccination coverage among the study population.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), a DNA virus with a human only reservoir, is a worldwide public health problem. Unlike other countries especially Europe and America, there is scarcity of published data on HBV infection among prison inmates in India despite its tremendous importance in public heath formulation compared to the general population. The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen among population of Jail inmates (convicts). Methods: The study population comprised of all the 1102 prison inmates who were screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status using one step immunochromatographic array [INSTACHK Hepatitis-B]. Seroprevalence rate of seropositive was calculated and stratified by age and sex. The seropositives were further subjected to HBeAg and anti-HBe detection, HIV status, anti HCV status, HBV-DNA levels and Liver function tests (LFTs) and the patients were then classified into three groups based on HBV-DNA levels and alanine amino transferase (ALT) levels. Results: Out of 1102 inmates screened, 30 (2.72%) were HBsAg positive. Slightly higher percentage prevalence of HBsAg was found among males i.e., 3.19% (or 27/844) than females i.e., 1.16% (or 3/258). Out of 30 HBsAg positive cases, 16 were HBeAg negative, 8 were HBeAg positive and 6 refused to get investigated further. Ten of the 16 HBeAg negative cases were further subjected to anti HBe detection. Half of these cases (5) were reactive for anti-HBe. Based on HBV DNA levels and ALT levels, 8 patients were categorized as HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis-B patients, 12 patients were categorized as HBeAg negative chronic Hepatitis-B patients and 4 patients as inactive HBsAg carriers. Conclusion: HBsAg prevalence among Tihar Jail inmates is comparable to that among the non-incarcerated general population in India.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To prepare anti-HBV S protein hybridoma cell line,this will be helpful to the establishment of rapid HBV infection diagnosis assay.Methods:BALB/c mice were immunized with the recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine.A hybridoma cell line which consistently secreted monoclonal antibody(McAb)against HBsAg was obtained through cell fusion.The specificity of the McAb was analysed by indirect ELISA and Western blot analysis.The immunoglobulin(Ig)subtypethe ascites titers, and the affinity of the obtained mAbs were determined by indirect ELISA.Results:From over hundred positive hybridomas which secreted anti-S protein mAbs,one of hybridomas was screened out,designated 4D2.The subtype of the McAb was lgG_1. The titer of 4D2 mAb produced by ascites fluid was over 1:10~6.The relative affinity constant of 4D2 mAb was determined as 10~5.Conclusion:One of high titer,specific mAb against HBV S protein has been successfully prepared and primarily identified,which may be useful in the development of a rapid and convenient diagnostic kit for detection of HBV infection.