Frequency of hepatitis-B and C viruses in healthy blood donors at Fatmid foundation, Multan

ABSTRACT

Viral hepatitis is a major public health problem throughout the world. Viruses which can lead to viral hepatitis are hepatitis-A virus [HAV], hepatitis-B virus [HBV], hepatitis-C virus [HCV], hepatitis-D virus [delta antigen], hepatitis-C virus [HEV] and hepatitis -G virus [HGV]. To see the frequency of hepatitis-B abd C in healthy blood donors at Fatimid Foundation, Multan. Fatimid Foundation, Multan. Fresh blood specimens were collected from the donors for processing. After clotting of blood, serum was separated by centrifugation for 20 minutes initially at 3500 rpm. Serum was then transfused into second tube and centrifuged again at 10,000 rpm for 20 minutes to remove the most of the medium weight interfering substances. Method used for screening of hepatitis-B and C was IMX or Ax sym, MEIA technology Abbott, USA. Out of these 16906 were males and 512 females. Age of male subjects was in the range of 16-45 years; age of female subjects was in the range of 18-40 years. HBsAg was positive in 891 males and 10 females. Anti-HCV was detected in 601 males and 11 females. Increasing trend of hepatitis-B and C points that more studies should be conducted and mode of spread must be studied deeply so that preventive measures may be started from the root levels. Special preventive measures must be told to these healthy carriers who are potentially dangerous for others. People should be encouraged to use disposable syringes