Virology & Mycology
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0517
+44 1223 790975
ISSN: 2161-0517
+44 1223 790975
Muhammad Arif Lodhi
Abdul Wali Khan University, Pakistan
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Virol Mycol
Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) is a liver disorder which is caused by a virus. It has been reported to be acute in some patients and chronic in others. The chronic form of HBV is life-threatening as it can cause serious health problem such as liver cancer. Objectives: This study aimed to find out active HBV infection, risk factors and HBV genotypes among the pediatric population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan. Materials and methods: Active HBV infection was determined in ELISA positive children by qualitative PCR while a standardized questionnaire was used for risk factors assessment. Genotypes were analyzed using multiplex PCR. Results: Active HBV infection was confirmed in 58/90 ELISA positive individuals (64.44%; boys=36, girls=22). A considerably high rate of active HBV infection was observed among the pediatric patients of Kohat (n=27, 46.55%) followed by Mardan (n=22, 37.93%) and Peshawar (n=9, 15.51%). Major risk factors responsible for infection acquisition were lack of vaccination (n=46, 51.11%) and maternal HBV infection (n=35, 38.88%) followed by socio-economic conditions (n=30, 33.33%), obligatory circumcision by quacks (n=19, 21.11%), abrasions during haircut (n=17, 18.88%), unsafe surgical practices (n=14, 15.55%) and blood transfusion (n=5, 5.55%). Genotyping analysis revealed HBV genotype C as predominant genotype (n=34, 58.62%) followed by genotype D (n=22, 37.93%) and genotype B (n=2, 3.44%). Conclusion: Antenatal screening for hepatitis B and implementation of strict immunization strategies must be assured to lower the HBV infection among pediatric population. A future investigation across the country will assist the prognostic significance of HBV genotypes.