Seroepidemiology of HBV and HCV in Bangladesh

Virus related liver diseases are important causes of morbidity in Bangladesh. We have reviewed the data of different authors to assess the magnitude of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in this country. HBV accounts for 35% acute viral hepatitis, 40.5% chronic liver disease, 36.5% hepatocellular carcinoma and 29.1% cases of post transfusion hepatitis. HCV accounts for 3.5% acute viral hepatitis, 24.1% chronic liver disease, 9.6% hepatocellular carcinoma and 6.8% cases of post transfusion hepatitis. Blood donors are not routinely screened for HBsAG except in a few selected centers. Twenty-nine percent of professional blood donors and 2.4% of voluntary blood donors are HBsAG carriers. Anti-HCV was found in 1.2% of professional blood donors and in no voluntary donors. HBsAG is positive in 7.5% of healthy adult jobseekers. In our series of acute viral hepatitis, there was no history suggestive of parenteral route of infection in 60% cases of HBV and 54% cases of HCV. In conclusion, HBV is the main aetiological factor for chronic liver disease in Bangladesh.