Prevalence of hepatitis G and associated HBs Ag HCV -Ab viral markers among professional blood donors/drug addicts in Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis B and C viral infections have been prevalent with endemicity throughout the world including Pakistan. In Pakistan no information is yet available about the prevalence of hepatitis G virus in general population and high risk groups. On a small scale some work was done [in collaboration with Nagoya University, Japan], with reference to the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infection in different risk groups. The present study pertains to 474 individuals [representing professional blood donors and drug addicts] in order to find out the prevalence of HGV status in Pakistan. Seven [1.5 percent] individuals were screened as hepatitis G virus RNA positive by PCR technique. Interestingly, two of these individuals were found to have co-infection with hepatitis C virus based on HCV-Ab, another two of them were found to have mixed infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses, while rest of the three were exclusively infected with HGV. This suggests for a thorough screening [including HGV] of all blood donors even if their routine hepatitis profile is negative