Prevalence and diagnosis of Hepatitis B virus based on Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in district Noshki Balochistan

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is major causative agent of chronic liver disease that leads to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is estimated that about 5% patients became chronic carriers of this pathogen in Pakistan. HBV diagnosis is the most important for the patient treatment and vaccination. Serological tests are used to distinguish acute, self limited infections from chronic HBV infections and to monitor vaccine induced immunity. Nucleic acid testing for HBV-DNA by PCR is increasingly being used to quantify HBV viral load and measure the effectiveness of therapeutic agents. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of HBV in Noshki, Baluchistan. The study was conducted from September to December 2013 in Baluchistan University of Engineering Technology Information Management Sciences (BUETIMS) Quetta, Baluchistan. One hundred immunochromatography test (ICT) positive samples were collected for the analysis of HBV using nested PCR. Out of 100 subjects (64%) subjects were male and (36%) subjects were female having four different age groups between 15-60 years. A total of (4.0%) subjects were found positive for HBV DNA. Age, gender, literacy and marital status were determined. The prevalence of HBV infection was found more in age group 4 (51-60 years) than age group 1(15-30) and 3(41-50). There was no HBV DNA found in age group 2. The high prevalence HBV percentage was observed for males (4.78%) than females (2.69%). However, significantly increased association was found in illiterate population (6.0%) than literate population (2.0%). Higher prevalence rate of HBV was observed in married subjects (4.69%) than unmarried 2.78%). In conclusion the molecular diagnosis of HBV by Nested-PCR is more sensitive and specific for the determination HBV DNA. The prevalence and incidence of HBV in present study is alarming. The control and prevention of the local population from this fatal liver disease needs immediate attention.