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Hepatitis A, B and C seroprevalence in Pakistan
M Agboatwalla1, S Isomura, K Miyake
1Department of Pediatrics, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Insights
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgG antibodies are highly prevalent in Pakistani children, with 94% of those under 5 years old affected. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) show low endemicity in this population.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis A, B, and C viruses are significant global health concerns.
- Understanding the seroprevalence of these viruses in pediatric populations is crucial for public health strategies.
- Pakistan faces a considerable burden of viral hepatitis, necessitating local epidemiological data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in healthy Pakistani children.
- To assess the age-specific prevalence of HAV IgG antibodies in young children.
- To compare the endemicity of HAV, HBV, and HCV in the target population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design was employed.
- HAV IgG and IgM antibodies were assayed in 258 children.
- Hepatitis B surface antibodies (HBsAb) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies were tested in 236 children.
Main Results:
- Overall HAV IgG seroprevalence was 55.8%, with 94% of children by 5 years of age having HAV IgG-antibody.
- HAV IgM seroprevalence was 5.3%.
- HBV and HCV seroprevalence were low, at 2.97% and 0.44%, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis A is highly endemic in Pakistani children, with widespread exposure by age 5.
- Hepatitis B and C viruses are of low endemicity in healthy Pakistani children.
- Public health efforts should prioritize Hepatitis A prevention and control in this demographic.
Abstract:
A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis A, B, and C virus in healthy Pakistani children. HAV IgG antibody was assayed in 258 subjects and it was found that 94% children by 5 years of age had HAV IgG-antibody. The overall seroprevalence of HAV IgG antibody was 55.8% and IgM 5.3%. HBVsAb levels assayed in 236 healthy children showed a seroprevalence of 2.97%. Similarly, HCV antibody seroprevalence was found to be a low 0.44% in healthy children. HAV is a major cause of Hepatitis, as compared to HBV and HCV which are of low endemicity.