Antigenemia in chronic liver disease

ABSTRACT

To investigate the prevalence of HBsAg and Anti HCV antibodies in chronic liver disease [CLD] in a teaching hospital of Lahore. Design: A prospective study of 90 patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. This was a part of research for MD thesis. Setting: East Medical Ward, Department of Medicine, Mayo Hospital Lahore attached with King Edward Medical College, Lahore-Pakistan. Subjects: Ninety consecutive patients of cirrhosis with portal hypertension admitted to East Medical Ward from 1993-1994. Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of viral markers as possible aetiological agents leading to hepatitis and cirrhosis. Fifty-nine patients [65.5%] had positive anti HCV antibodies, 22 patients [24.4%] had positive HBsAg whereas 22 patients [24.4%] were positive for both. The remaining 9 patients were negative for both HBsAg and anti HCV antibodies. All the patients with antigenemia had either history of injections or blood transfusions in the past, which might have led to viral transmission causing hepatitis and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is on the rise in Pakistan and a very common health problem challenging the medical profession. Screening of blood donors and other preventive measures can help reduce the magnitude of the menace