Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus at an Indian State Bordering Myanmar: A Hospital-Based Study

In Manipur, one of the six high HIV-prevalent states of India, information is limited regarding Hepatitis B and C infections, which share a similar parenteral mode of transmission. The aims of this study are to investigate the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C antibodies (HCVAb) and to identify the seropositivity rates at different age-groups. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Microbiology department of Jawaharlal Nehru institute of Medical Sciences, Manipur,  on existing data from 2010- 13. A total of 21358 serum samples were screened for HBsAg and HCVAb using rapid immunochromatography tests and 3^rd generation enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays (ELISA).  75(1.57%) and 259(5.4%) of 4790 males were positive for HBsAg and HCVAb respectively, and 132(0.8%) and 78(0.5%) of 16568 females were positive for HBsAg and HCVAb respectively. 21(0.44%) males and 5(0.03%) females were positive for both infections. For HBsAg the yearly seroprevalence ranged from 1.55 to 2.38% among the males and from 0.54 to 1% among the females. For HCVAb, it ranged from 3.91-8.17% among the males and from 0.30-0.64% among the females. Difference in seroprevalence between males and females was found to be statistically significant at P-value < 0.05. Seropositivity rates were maximum at 41-50 years for both infections among positive males, and at 21-30 years for HBsAg and 31-40 years for HCVAb among positive females. The rising seroprevalence rates of both hepatitis infections, especially those of HCV infection among the males, need urgent attention.