Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen [HBS Ag] in patients with liver disease

ABSTRACT

One hundred and eight liver dysfunction patients, either admitted as indoor patients or attending the hospital as outdoor patients were included in the present study, to investigate the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]. Among the studied patients 22.22% were found positive for HBsAg. Of these positive patients, five had received blood transfusion and six gave a positive history of surgery. One hundred control population was also tested for HBsAg. Out of this, 5% were found positive for HBsAg; most of them were hospital employees. Of the 24 patients found positive for HBsAg, 44% could be attributed to known sources of transmission. The remaining HBsAg positive patients, most of them males, the infection of HBV could not be attributed to any of the conventionally reported sources, who belonged to very low income group. This fact brings to mind the possibility of infection through the percutaneous route. Further studies are necessary to investigate the role of this route in the causation of HBV infection in Pakistan