Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus Markers and Serum Alanine Amino-Transferase (ALT) Levels, in a Young Adult Population of Sylhet District

Authors

  • Irin Perveen Associate Professor of Gastroenterology, Enam Medical College, Dhaka
  • Madhusudan Saha Associate Professor of Gastroenterology, North East Medical College, Sylhet
  • Kishore Kumar Dhar Internee Doctor, North East Medical College, Sylhet
  • Md Shamsul Islam Registrar of Medicine, North East Medical College, Sylhet

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v34i4.32487

Keywords:

Hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, alanine amino-transferase, young adults

Abstract

Objective: To find out the seroprevalence of the hepatitis B and C viruses in a young adult population along with estimation of aminotransferase levels. And so as to increase the awareness and augment preventive measures against these viral hepatitis related morbidity.

Methods: A total of 2611 apparently healthy young adults were screened from January 2010 to December 2010 at a Medical Checkup center of Sylhet for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus antibody (anti HCV), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspertate aminotransferase (AST) levels.

Results: Out of 2611 subjects 2536(97.1%) were male and 75(2.9%) were female with comparable mean ages (29.08 vs. 30.6 years, P .056). A total of 77(3.0%) men were HBsAg positive and only four (0.16%) men were positive for anti HCV. Women were all negative for HBsAg or anti HCV. None had co-infection with HBV and HCV. Mean ALT and AST levels of study population were 31.85 I.U./L and 26.18 I.U./L respectively and were not found to vary with age and sex. Mean ALT levels were more in in HBsAg positive cases (42.03 I.U/L vs. 31.5 I.U./L, P .000) and HCV infected cases (49 I.U./L vs. 31.51 I.U./L, P.000) than non-infected persons.

Conclusion: Hepatitis B infection is of intermediate endemicity among young adults while hepatitis C virus infection is low among this group. Mean amino transferase levels were higher in asymptomatic infected persons in comparison to non-infected person. We suggest the need for revision of upper limit of normal for ALT in our population for early detection and treatment of liver diseases.

J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2016; 34(4): 199-205

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Author Biography

Irin Perveen, Associate Professor of Gastroenterology, Enam Medical College, Dhaka



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Published

2017-05-07

How to Cite

Perveen, I., Saha, M., Dhar, K. K., & Islam, M. S. (2017). Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus Markers and Serum Alanine Amino-Transferase (ALT) Levels, in a Young Adult Population of Sylhet District. Journal of Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons, 34(4), 199–205. https://doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v34i4.32487

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 4 (2016)

Section

Original Articles

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