DNA PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION ACROSS DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS IN INDIAN POPULATION

Introduction: Diagnosis has been the major aspects of liver-related infection, for providing early advice to patients. Data about the hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level among the Indian population were limited. Objectives: To the best of HBV diagnosis, the present study was conducted to determine the virus DNA level and the frequency of infection among the age group and genders in the Indian region.

Methods: A total of 926 suspected subjects, 520 (56.15%) male and 406 (43.84%) female, from east (n = 370), north (n = 410), south (n = 45) and west (n = 101) of ages between 6 and 75 years (mean age 39.65 ± 15.20 years) included in this study. Viral DNAs were isolated from the plasma and performed with the artus® HBV RG PCR assay for HBV specific target.

Results: HBV DNA was identified in a total of 636/926 (68.68%) subjects; 367 (70.57%) male and 269 (66.25%) female. Demographic data evaluation of viral infection among genders within different regions and age groups indicated no significant difference (P > 0.05). However, among females, HBV DNA infection rate & viral load exhibited decreased proportion within the southern regions and age group of 61-75 years (P < 0.05) compared to the male population.

Conclusions: HBV DNA infection is highly endemic among the suspected Indian population. To prevent the spread of HBV infection among Indians, it is encouraged with diagnosis procedure in the DNA level.