Status of Hepatitis Be Antigen in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients from Various Regions of Pakistan

Abstract

Background: To determine the distribution of HBeAg in chronic hepatitis B patients from different regions of Pakistan.
Methods: In this study a total of 677 individuals infected with hepatitis B for a minimum period of 6 months, were included in the study. The information like age, gender along with area of residence, were recorded in a proforma filled for each study subject. A 3 ml blood sample was taken from each person. HBsAg,HBeAg and Anti HBe testing was carried out by ELISA.
Results: Out of 677 study subjects, 517 (76.4%) were males and 160 (23.6%) females with an overall mean age of 35.42 +12.4 years. HBeAg was positive in 66 (9.7%) . All HBeAg positive cases were negative for Anti HBe. HBeAg positivity was 9.4% in Punjab, 14.8% in KPK, 4.89 % in Sindh, 8.3% in AJ & K and 13.3% in Gilgit Baltistan.
Conclusion: There was a male predominance among Hepatitis B virus infected patients .Maximum cases were between 20 to 50 years of age. HBeAg positive cases were significantly less as compared to HBeAg negative cases.