ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are two common viral infections causing cirrhosis. AIM: The aim of this study was to find the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV along with occurrence of co-infection of HBV and HCV in patients attending a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done for a period of one year (January to December 2016) in the Department of Microbiology, Medical College, Kolkata. After obtaining ethical clearance and informed consent from the patients, serum samples were collected from all patients referred to Department of Microbiology for antibody to HCV and Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening. ELISA was performed for anti HCV antibody and HBsAg. The results and relevant clinical information were noted and analysis was done. RESULTS: A total of 10802 samples were received, of which 316 (2.92 %) were HBsAg positive, 115 (1.06%) were HCV antibody positive and a total of 7 (0.07%) patients were positive both for HBsAg and Anti HCV antibody. There was male preponderance. Anti HCV antibody was more common in age below 10 years and in thalassemia patients. Out of 7 patients positive for both, 5 patients were on regular blood transfusion due to beta thalassemia and 2 patients had history of chronic liver disease. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was found that there was seroprevalence of 2.92 % of HBsAg, 1.06% of HCV antibody and 0.07% positive both for HBsAg and HCV antibody among the patients of a tertiary care centre in Eastern India.
