Prevalence of hepatitis-D virus infection in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive children in southern Punjab

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis D virus [[HDV] is a defective RNA Virus dependent on Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection for its replication and expression. It is known that co-existent infection with HDV tends to aggravate the course of HBV-associated liver disease. This study was carried out to determine the sero- prevalence of HDV among Hepatitis B Surface antigen [HBSAg] Positive children visiting the Nishtar Medical Centre Jampur [Rajanpur]. Experimental study. This study was carried out at Nishtar Medical Centre Jampur [Rajanpur] from December2010 to September 2012. 280 children, out of them 175 were male and 105 were female, having HBSAg Positive and visited the Clinic during the above-said period were included in the study. Effective Preventive measures are the need of hour and Pakistan may be considered as area of highest Prevalence around the globe [JPMA59434,2009]. Some serious steps should be carried out to lower down the Prevalence rate of Hepatitis B in Southern Punjab