title: Hepatitis B and C infection among drug abusers in Nepal.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Liver Foundation Nepal, Siddhartha Vanasthali Institute, Balaju, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shrestha
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Shrestha
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Gafney
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Maharjan
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tsuda
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okamoto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D002648:Child; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral