Prevalence of HBsAg infection and treatment predictors in HBsAg-positive patients at tertiary care center

• Author Details:   
• Vaishali Bhupatbhai Bhadreshwara ^*
• Hiral M Gadhavi
• Hitesh K Shingala

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Background: HBV infection is a global public health challenge, contributing significantly to liver-related morbidity and mortality. This study, conducted at a tertiary care center, aimed to decide the prevalence of HBV using ELISA test, assess Hepatitis B virus viral load in HBsAg-positive patients, and evaluate predictors of treatment response in those receiving antiviral therapy.

Materials and Methods: This study included 42000 samples from suspected cases of viral Hepatitis for HbsAg antigen testing. The samples were checked for presence of HBsAg antigen by 3rd generation ELISA. The samples positive for HBV infection were then tested for HBV DNA by quantitative RT-PCR test.

Results: Total 42,000 samples of patients were taken for testing for HBsAg Antigens by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, 620 (1.47%) were seropositive. Out of 620 samples, 122 samples had taken testing for the presence of HBV DNA level by real time RT-PCR. Out of 122 samples, 102 samples were detected positive for HBV DNA and 20 were detected negative by PCR. Out of 102 HBV DNA positive samples, 44 samples had HBV DNA level <20,000 IU/ml and 58 samples had HBV DNA level >20,000 IU/ml.

Conclusion: Hepatitis B is continued to be serious global threat with long term complication. In developing countries HBV is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. HBV RT-PCR has high sensitivity & specificity for detecting active infection and monitoring response to treatment.