Sero-prevalence of HCV and associated infections with HIV and HBV among prisoners in Lahore

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis C Virus [HCV] infection and its co-infection with HIV or HBV is associated with an accelerated course of the disease and may result in more rapid progression of either or both, but knowledge on these dynamics in the imprisoned is scarce particularly in the developing world. Hence in this study we evaluated the prevalence of HCV infection and its associated co-infections with HBV or HIV in the prison population of Lahore. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HCV infection in prisons of Lahore [Pakistan] between May and November 2009. In this study, 4915 prisoners participated; 91.5% of them were males, and 8.5% females. Median age of prisoners was 28 years. Jail inmates were tested for serological markers-HBsAg, HCV antibodies and HIV antibodies-by chromatographic immunoassay. Initially reactive sera were retested for HBV and HCV with ELISA and for HIV with another rapid method. In total, 783 [15.93%] prisoners were positive for HCV and 105 [2.13%] of all prisoners were registered having co-infection with HIV, HBV or both. Among 783 HCV positive prisoners 72 [9.19%] had HIV co-infection, HCV/HBV co-infection was observed in 30 cases [3.83%] and triple co-infection [HCV/HBV/HIV] in three cases [0.38%]. The prevalence rate of HCV infection is quite high in the prison population of Pakistan and is mainly complicated with HIV co-infection. It is imperative that HCV, HIV and HBV prevention strategies be intensified in this community