Background: Although hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infections are endemic worldwide, there is a significant geographic variability in its distribution. There is very limited epidemiological data pertaining to the prevalence of these infections in the general population of north eastern India.
Aim: The present population- based study was carried out to estimate prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in Eastern Himalayan region of India. It is a prospective study done over a period of one and half years from March 2013 to September 2014. Healthy persons were recruited from health camps organised at various locations in the district Darjeeling, the state of Sikkim and the neighbouring districts of West Bengal. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg ) and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) were tested by rapid diagnostic kit which is a in-vitro immunochromatographic assay designed for qualitative evaluation.
Results: A total of 2,314 persons were screened for HBV and HCV infections from 18 health camps in 10 locations in district of Darjeeling, state of Sikkim and the neighbouring towns. Forty seven (2.03%) and nineteen patients (0.82%) were found positive for HBsAg and anti HCV antibodies, respectively. Mirik and Kurseong had maximum prevalence rates of 6.66% (4/60) and 4.7% (8/170), respectively.
Conclusion: The epidemiology of hepatitis C infection in Eastern Himalayan region is different from that in the rest of north-eastern India.