Pilot study of hepatitis b, c and human immunodeficiency viruses infections among patients with chronic liver diseases from north-east india attending a new tertiary care health set up at shillong

Background:  Chronic liver diseases (CLD) are major public health concerns in North-Eastern India. Association of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in CLD patients result in atypical presentations with increased severity and duration of illness. Understanding of agent, host, clinical profiles and their co-relationship for better management and prevention of such diseases in the community are important challenges.  Aims:  To assess sero-prevalance of HBV, HCV, HIV and their co-infection/triple infection in CLD patients from North-East India. To determine risk factors predisposing to development of CLDs. To find out if any correlation exists between risk factors for CLDs and that of HBV/HCV/HIV infections.  Materials And Methods:  This study was conducted from December 2009 to June 2011 in North-Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences. Blood samples were collected from 57 clinically diagnosed CLD patients after obtaining Institutional ethical clearance. Detail clinical profile with relevant biochemical test results were recorded. Viral markers - hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B e (HBe) antigen, anti-HBe and anti-HCV were assessed employing commercial ELISA kits. Specimens were subjected for detection and confirmation of HIV infection as per NACO Guidelines.  Results:  Male to female ratio was 1.85:1 with most cases in range of 31-50 years. HBV markers were detected in 35 (61.40%) and anti-HCV in 2 (3.5%) patients. Anti-HIV was reactive in 7 (12.28%) patients; 4 co-infected with HBV and 2 with HCV.  Conclusion:  HBV is still a major cause of CLD, followed by HCV in North-East India. Co-infection of HBV/HCV with HIV was low (7.14%) in comparison to rest of India. Confections of HIV with HBV/HCV in CLDs patients was observed to be major public health concern in terms of risk factors and transmission dynamics of these chronic diseases in North-East India. Â