Hepatitis C Status in Karachi, Pakistan, a Five-Year Survey at Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Author(s)
Ghulam Fatima1,2,
Shehla Shaheen3,
Anam Razzak2,
Suresh Kumar2,
M. Saeed Quraishy2,
Shahana Urooj Kazmi1,4
Affiliation(s)
1 Immunology and Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan. 2 Civil Hospital Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan. 3 Department of Pharmacology, Ziauddin Medical College, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan. 4 Department of Clinical Microbiology, Dada Bhoy Institute of Higher Education, Karachi, Pakistan.
1 Immunology and Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan. 2 Civil Hospital Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan. 3 Department of Pharmacology, Ziauddin Medical College, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan. 4 Department of Clinical Microbiology, Dada Bhoy Institute of Higher Education, Karachi, Pakistan.
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis C virus is associated with Hepatitis C which can be acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis C is usually short term illness that can lead to chronic infection, while chronic hepatitis C is a chronic liver disease leading to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and even death. The mode of transmission is mainly parenteral and vertical. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality and a serious public health problem, worldwide as well as in Pakistan. There is no vaccine available for hepatitis C so the only way to prevent hepatitis C is by changing behaviors which can spread the disease. Pakistan is also facing a huge burden of this disease. In Pakistan, the frequency of hepatitis C virus infection ranges from 8% - 15% in the general population with variations in different parts of the country. The general method of detecting infection with HCV is to observe the presence of antibodies to the virus. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of hepatitis C among general population and to see the increasing frequency in our part. Selection of Patients: All patients visiting outpatient clinics, Hepatitis clinic and indoor patients at Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 were screened for anti HCV. Methods: Blood samples were collected from the patients in Red Topped vaccutainers and allowed to clot, then centrifuged and serum was screened for anti HCV by Immunochromatography (ICT) method. Results: A total of 156,990 patients were screened for anti-HCV, 23,511 (14.98%) patients were reported positive. During the year 2010, total 11,058 patients were screened for anti HCV, 1791 (16%) were positive, while in the year 2011 total 26,921 were screened and 3908 (14.5%) were positive, during the year 2012, total 23,321 were screened, 3036 (14%) were positive, in the year 2013 we screened total 40,483 patients 6070 (15%) were positive, while in 2014, total 55,484 patients were screened and 8584 were positive (15.5%). The most affected age group is between 21 - 40 years and males are affected more than females. Conclusion: Hepatitis C in increasing in our population affecting the young generation between the age of 21 - 40 years and male population is affected more than females so a mass screening is needed to know the exact position of the disease as well as awareness programs should be started using media.
Hepatitis C virus is associated with Hepatitis C which can be acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis C is usually short term illness that can lead to chronic infection, while chronic hepatitis C is a chronic liver disease leading to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and even death. The mode of transmission is mainly parenteral and vertical. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality and a serious public health problem, worldwide as well as in Pakistan. There is no vaccine available for hepatitis C so the only way to prevent hepatitis C is by changing behaviors which can spread the disease. Pakistan is also facing a huge burden of this disease. In Pakistan, the frequency of hepatitis C virus infection ranges from 8% - 15% in the general population with variations in different parts of the country. The general method of detecting infection with HCV is to observe the presence of antibodies to the virus. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of hepatitis C among general population and to see the increasing frequency in our part. Selection of Patients: All patients visiting outpatient clinics, Hepatitis clinic and indoor patients at Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 were screened for anti HCV. Methods: Blood samples were collected from the patients in Red Topped vaccutainers and allowed to clot, then centrifuged and serum was screened for anti HCV by Immunochromatography (ICT) method. Results: A total of 156,990 patients were screened for anti-HCV, 23,511 (14.98%) patients were reported positive. During the year 2010, total 11,058 patients were screened for anti HCV, 1791 (16%) were positive, while in the year 2011 total 26,921 were screened and 3908 (14.5%) were positive, during the year 2012, total 23,321 were screened, 3036 (14%) were positive, in the year 2013 we screened total 40,483 patients 6070 (15%) were positive, while in 2014, total 55,484 patients were screened and 8584 were positive (15.5%). The most affected age group is between 21 - 40 years and males are affected more than females. Conclusion: Hepatitis C in increasing in our population affecting the young generation between the age of 21 - 40 years and male population is affected more than females so a mass screening is needed to know the exact position of the disease as well as awareness programs should be started using media.
Cite this paper
Fatima, G. , Shaheen, S. , Razzak, A. , Kumar, S. , Quraishy, M. and Urooj Kazmi, S. (2015) Hepatitis C Status in Karachi, Pakistan, a Five-Year Survey at Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 6, 797-804. doi: 10.4236/ijcm.2015.611105.
Fatima, G. , Shaheen, S. , Razzak, A. , Kumar, S. , Quraishy, M. and Urooj Kazmi, S. (2015) Hepatitis C Status in Karachi, Pakistan, a Five-Year Survey at Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 6, 797-804. doi: 10.4236/ijcm.2015.611105.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.2523562 [2] Kuo, G., et al. (1989) An Assay for Circulating Antibodies to a Major Etiologic Virus of Human Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis. Science, 21, 362-364.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.2496467 [3] Shah, H.N. and Shabbir, G. (2002) A Review of Published Literature on Hepatitis B & C Virus Prevalence in Pakistan. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, 12, 368-371. [4] Tanwani, K. and Ahmad, N. (2000) Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Anti-Hepatitis C Virus in Laboratory Based Data at Islamabad. Journal of Surgery, 19, 25-29. [5] Perz, J.F., Armstrong, G.L., Farrington, L.A., Hutin, Y.J. and Bell, B.P. (2006) The Contributions of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infections to Cirrhosis and Primary Liver Cancer Worldwide. Journal of Hepatology, 45, 529-538.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2006.05.013 [6] Lavanchy, D. (2009) The Global Burden of Hepatitis C. Liver International, 29, 74-81.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2008.01934.x [7] Marcellin, P. (2009) Hepatitis B and C in 2009. Liver International, 29, 1-8.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2008.01947.x [8] Sy, T. and Jamal, M.M. (2006) Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 3, 41-46.
http://dx.doi.org/10.7150/ijms.3.41 [9] Raja, N.S. and Janjua, K.A. (2008) Epedemiology of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Pakistan. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection, 41, 4-8. [10] Umar, M., Bushra, H., Ahmad, M., Khurram, M., Usman, S., Arif, M., Adam, T., Minhas, Z., Arif, A., Naeem, A., Ejaz, K., Butt, Z. and Bilal, M. (2010) Hepatitis C in Pakistan: A Review of Available Data. Hepatitis Monthly, 10, 205-214. [11] Umar, M. and Bilal, M. (2002) Hepatitis C, A Mega Menace: A Pakistani Perspective. Journal of Pakistan Medical Students, 2, 68-72. [12] Walter, J.B. and Isreal, M.S. (1987) Viral Infections of Human Beings. 6th Edition, General Pathology, Churchill Livingston, 310 p. [13] Shaikh, M.A., Shaikh, W.M., Solangi, G.A. and Abro, H. (2003) Frequency and Transmission Mode of Hepatitis C Virus in Northern Sindh. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, 13, 691-693. [14] Hauri, A.M., Armstrong, G.L. and Hutin, Y.J. (2004) The Global Burden of Disease Attributable to Contaminated Injections Given in Health Care Settings. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 15, 7-16.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/095646204322637182 [15] Janjua, N.Z. and Nizamy, M.A. (2004) Knowledge and Practices of Barbers about Hepatitis B&C Transmission in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 54, 116-119. [16] Shafi, T. and Iqbal, A.S. (1992) Prevalence of Anti Hepatitis C in Haemodialysis Patients. Pakistan Journal of Medical Research, 31, 42-45. [17] Davis, G.L. (2007) Hepatitis C. In: Schiff’s Diseases of the Liver, 10th Edition, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 807-863. [18] Aziz, S., Memon, A., Tily, H.I., Rasheed, K., Jehangir, K. and Quraishy, M.S. (2003) Prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B&C amongst Health Workers of Civil Hospital Karachi. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 53, 136-140. [19] Batool, A., Bano, K.A., Khan, M.I. and Hussain, R. (2008) Antenatal Screening of Women for Hepatitis B and C in an Out-Patient Department. Journal of the Dow University of Health Sciences, 2, 32-35. [20] Qureshi, H., Bile, K.M., Jooma, R., Alam, S.E. and Afridi, H.U.R. (2010) Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viral Infections in Pakistan: Findings of a National Survey Appealing for Effective Prevention and Control Measures. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 6, S15-S23. [21] Shirazi, B., Jeffery, A.H., Kishwar, M. and Shahid Shamim, M. (2004) Screening for Hepatitis B&C in Surgical Patients. Journal of Surgery Pakistan, 9, 10-13. [22] Masood, Z., Jawaid, M., Khan, R.A. and Rehman, S. (2005) Screening for Hepatitis B & C: A Routine Preoperative Investigation? Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 21, 455-459. [23] Chaudhary, I.A. and Khan, S.A. (2005) Samiullah. Should We Do Hepatitis B and C Screening on Each Patient before Surgery. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 21, 278-280. [24] Zafar, M.A., Mohsin, A., Hussain, I. and Shah, A.A. (2001) Prevalence of Hepatitis C among Pregnant Women. Journal of Surgery Pakistan, 6, 32-33. [25] Jaffery, T., Tariq, N., Ayub, R. and Yawar, A. (2005) Frequency of Hepatitis C and Pregnancy Outcome. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, 15, 716-719. [26] Bhopal, F.G., Yousaf, A. and Taj, M.N. (1999) Frequency of Hepatitis B and C: Surgical Patients in Rawalpindi General Hospital. Professional Medical Journal, 6, 502-509. [27] Khan, H., Khan, N., Niazi, R., Adam, T. and Yaqoob, A. (2001) Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C in Pakistanis Visiting and Admitted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad. Journal of Surgery, 21, 22-26. [28] Mengal, M.A., Abbas, F., Mengal, M.A., Shafee, M., Babar, S., Mengal, M.A. and Atique, A. (2012) Passive Surveillance of Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies in Human Subjects of Four Medical Units of Balochistan, Pakistan. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 14, 585-589. [29] Daudpota, A.Q. and Soomro, A.W. (2008) Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Surgical Patients. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 24, 483-484. [30] Satyanarayana, R. and Melman, M.L. (2001) Liver Diseases, Viral Hepatitis. 30th Edition, The Washington Manual of Medical Theraputics, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 380-81. [31] Taguchi, S., Nishioka, K., Kawaguchi, R., Nakao, M., Watanabe, I. and Migita, T. (2004) Epidemiological Study of Hepatitis B and C in 34,336 Patients Operated at Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital during the Period from 1993 to 2000. Masui, 53, 696-700. [32] Erden, S., Buyukozturk, S., Calangu, S., Yilmaz, G., Palanduz, S. and Badur, S. (2003) Study of Serological Markers of Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Istanbul, Turkey. Medical Principles and Practice, 12, 184-188.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000070757 [33] Yousaf, A., Mahmmod, A. and Ishaq, M. (1996) Can We Afford to Operate on Patients without HBsAbg Screening? Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, 9, 98-100.
[1] Choo, Q.L., Kuo, G., Weiner, A.J., Overby, L.R., Bradley, D.W. and Houghton, M. (1989) Isolation of cDNA Clone Derived from a Blood-Borne Non-A, Non-B Viral Hepatitis Genome. Science, 21, 359-362.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.2523562 [2] Kuo, G., et al. (1989) An Assay for Circulating Antibodies to a Major Etiologic Virus of Human Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis. Science, 21, 362-364.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.2496467 [3] Shah, H.N. and Shabbir, G. (2002) A Review of Published Literature on Hepatitis B & C Virus Prevalence in Pakistan. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, 12, 368-371. [4] Tanwani, K. and Ahmad, N. (2000) Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Anti-Hepatitis C Virus in Laboratory Based Data at Islamabad. Journal of Surgery, 19, 25-29. [5] Perz, J.F., Armstrong, G.L., Farrington, L.A., Hutin, Y.J. and Bell, B.P. (2006) The Contributions of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infections to Cirrhosis and Primary Liver Cancer Worldwide. Journal of Hepatology, 45, 529-538.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2006.05.013 [6] Lavanchy, D. (2009) The Global Burden of Hepatitis C. Liver International, 29, 74-81.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2008.01934.x [7] Marcellin, P. (2009) Hepatitis B and C in 2009. Liver International, 29, 1-8.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2008.01947.x [8] Sy, T. and Jamal, M.M. (2006) Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 3, 41-46.
http://dx.doi.org/10.7150/ijms.3.41 [9] Raja, N.S. and Janjua, K.A. (2008) Epedemiology of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Pakistan. Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection, 41, 4-8. [10] Umar, M., Bushra, H., Ahmad, M., Khurram, M., Usman, S., Arif, M., Adam, T., Minhas, Z., Arif, A., Naeem, A., Ejaz, K., Butt, Z. and Bilal, M. (2010) Hepatitis C in Pakistan: A Review of Available Data. Hepatitis Monthly, 10, 205-214. [11] Umar, M. and Bilal, M. (2002) Hepatitis C, A Mega Menace: A Pakistani Perspective. Journal of Pakistan Medical Students, 2, 68-72. [12] Walter, J.B. and Isreal, M.S. (1987) Viral Infections of Human Beings. 6th Edition, General Pathology, Churchill Livingston, 310 p. [13] Shaikh, M.A., Shaikh, W.M., Solangi, G.A. and Abro, H. (2003) Frequency and Transmission Mode of Hepatitis C Virus in Northern Sindh. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, 13, 691-693. [14] Hauri, A.M., Armstrong, G.L. and Hutin, Y.J. (2004) The Global Burden of Disease Attributable to Contaminated Injections Given in Health Care Settings. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 15, 7-16.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/095646204322637182 [15] Janjua, N.Z. and Nizamy, M.A. (2004) Knowledge and Practices of Barbers about Hepatitis B&C Transmission in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 54, 116-119. [16] Shafi, T. and Iqbal, A.S. (1992) Prevalence of Anti Hepatitis C in Haemodialysis Patients. Pakistan Journal of Medical Research, 31, 42-45. [17] Davis, G.L. (2007) Hepatitis C. In: Schiff’s Diseases of the Liver, 10th Edition, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 807-863. [18] Aziz, S., Memon, A., Tily, H.I., Rasheed, K., Jehangir, K. and Quraishy, M.S. (2003) Prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B&C amongst Health Workers of Civil Hospital Karachi. Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, 53, 136-140. [19] Batool, A., Bano, K.A., Khan, M.I. and Hussain, R. (2008) Antenatal Screening of Women for Hepatitis B and C in an Out-Patient Department. Journal of the Dow University of Health Sciences, 2, 32-35. [20] Qureshi, H., Bile, K.M., Jooma, R., Alam, S.E. and Afridi, H.U.R. (2010) Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viral Infections in Pakistan: Findings of a National Survey Appealing for Effective Prevention and Control Measures. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 6, S15-S23. [21] Shirazi, B., Jeffery, A.H., Kishwar, M. and Shahid Shamim, M. (2004) Screening for Hepatitis B&C in Surgical Patients. Journal of Surgery Pakistan, 9, 10-13. [22] Masood, Z., Jawaid, M., Khan, R.A. and Rehman, S. (2005) Screening for Hepatitis B & C: A Routine Preoperative Investigation? Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 21, 455-459. [23] Chaudhary, I.A. and Khan, S.A. (2005) Samiullah. Should We Do Hepatitis B and C Screening on Each Patient before Surgery. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 21, 278-280. [24] Zafar, M.A., Mohsin, A., Hussain, I. and Shah, A.A. (2001) Prevalence of Hepatitis C among Pregnant Women. Journal of Surgery Pakistan, 6, 32-33. [25] Jaffery, T., Tariq, N., Ayub, R. and Yawar, A. (2005) Frequency of Hepatitis C and Pregnancy Outcome. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, 15, 716-719. [26] Bhopal, F.G., Yousaf, A. and Taj, M.N. (1999) Frequency of Hepatitis B and C: Surgical Patients in Rawalpindi General Hospital. Professional Medical Journal, 6, 502-509. [27] Khan, H., Khan, N., Niazi, R., Adam, T. and Yaqoob, A. (2001) Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C in Pakistanis Visiting and Admitted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad. Journal of Surgery, 21, 22-26. [28] Mengal, M.A., Abbas, F., Mengal, M.A., Shafee, M., Babar, S., Mengal, M.A. and Atique, A. (2012) Passive Surveillance of Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies in Human Subjects of Four Medical Units of Balochistan, Pakistan. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 14, 585-589. [29] Daudpota, A.Q. and Soomro, A.W. (2008) Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Surgical Patients. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 24, 483-484. [30] Satyanarayana, R. and Melman, M.L. (2001) Liver Diseases, Viral Hepatitis. 30th Edition, The Washington Manual of Medical Theraputics, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 380-81. [31] Taguchi, S., Nishioka, K., Kawaguchi, R., Nakao, M., Watanabe, I. and Migita, T. (2004) Epidemiological Study of Hepatitis B and C in 34,336 Patients Operated at Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital during the Period from 1993 to 2000. Masui, 53, 696-700. [32] Erden, S., Buyukozturk, S., Calangu, S., Yilmaz, G., Palanduz, S. and Badur, S. (2003) Study of Serological Markers of Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Istanbul, Turkey. Medical Principles and Practice, 12, 184-188.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000070757 [33] Yousaf, A., Mahmmod, A. and Ishaq, M. (1996) Can We Afford to Operate on Patients without HBsAbg Screening? Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, 9, 98-100.