Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus in Sub Division Ladha, South Waziristan: Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus

Abstract

HBV is a member of the hepadnavirus family. It is a 42-nm enveloped virion,1 with an icosahedral nucleocapsid core containing a partially double-stranded circular DNA genome. The envelope contains a protein called the surface antigen (HBsAg), which is important for laboratory diagnosis and immunization. Similarly, HCV is a member of the flavivirus family. It is an enveloped virion containing a genome of single-stranded, positivepolarity RNA. It has no virion polymerase. HCV has at least six genotypes and multiple subgenotypes based on differences in the genes that encode one of its two envelope glycoproteins. This genetic variation results in a “hypervariable” region in the envelope glycol protein. The genetic variability is due to the high mutation rate in the envelope gene coupled with the absence of a proofreading function in the virion-encoded RNA polymerase. As a result, multiple subspecies (quasispecies) often occur in the blood of an infected individual at the same time. Genotype 1 causes approximately 75% of infections in the United States. HBV and HCV are diseases-causing viruses that are almost present in each and every region throughout the world. In order to investigate the existence and their effects on the general public in Subdivision Ladha, South Waziristan, Pakistan, on the basis of sign and symptom, samples of blood of one thousand individuals were collected. Utilizing the Immune chromatographic test (ICT), 304 were reported as positive for HBV and HCV, of which 235 were male (34.20%), 61 were female (24.11%), and 8 were children (13.34%) The rest were not affected by the aforementioned viruses. Furthermore, it was also concluded that in males 158 were caught HBV (67.23%) and 77 were having HCV (32.77%). Similarly, considering the females, 38 were having HBV (62.29%) and 23 were caught HCV (37.71%), while 5 children were tested positive for HBV (62.50%) and 3 were detected for HCV (37.50%). If the data results are extrapolated to the whole population of the region, and then compared with the population of the rest of Pakistan, it might be possible to conclude that population dwelling in the region is perhaps at higher risk of contracting hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C infections as compared to other population.