Hepatitis B and C infection among drug abusers in Nepal

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infection amongst intravenous drug users (IDU) in Nepal is not known. To estimate such prevalence 72 IDU individuals were tested for HBV and HCV markers. About 80% of the drug abusers are both anti-HBc (59/72) and anti-HCV (58/72) sero-positive. However persiste...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Tropical gastroenterology Vol. 17; no. 4; p. 212
Main Authors:	Shrestha, S M, Shrestha, D M, Gafney, T E, Maharjan, K G, Tsuda, F, Okamoto, H
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	India 01-10-1996
Subjects:	Adolescent Adult Aged Biomarkers Child Hepacivirus - genetics Hepacivirus - immunology Hepatitis B - epidemiology Hepatitis B - transmission Hepatitis B - virology Hepatitis B Antibodies - analysis Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - immunology Hepatitis B virus - genetics Hepatitis B virus - immunology Hepatitis C - epidemiology Hepatitis C - transmission Hepatitis C - virology Hepatitis C Antibodies - analysis Humans Male Middle Aged Nepal - epidemiology Prevalence RNA, Viral - analysis Substance Abuse, Intravenous - complications Substance Abuse, Intravenous - epidemiology Nepal
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Summary:	Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infection amongst intravenous drug users (IDU) in Nepal is not known. To estimate such prevalence 72 IDU individuals were tested for HBV and HCV markers. About 80% of the drug abusers are both anti-HBc (59/72) and anti-HCV (58/72) sero-positive. However persistent infection with hepatitis B, as indicated by positive HBsAg, was detected in only 5.5% (n = 4). Active hepatitis C infection, as indicated by HCV RNA positivity, was documented in 74% (42/58) of those who were anti-HCV positive. Importance of awareness of this observation among the healthcare workers in the prevention of hepatitis C in the community is stressed.
ISSN:	0250-636X