1994 Volume 68 Issue 12 Pages 1492-1497
The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 303 serum samples collected from that apparently healthy population inhabitating different areas in eastern Nepal was studied. Samples were collected at Dharan Municipality, Sunsari85, Pancha Kanya Village Development Committee, Ilam86, Dhankuta Hile, Dhankuta82 and Basantapur Village Development Committee, Tehrathm50. HBsAg and anti-HBsAg antibody was screened by reverse passive haemagglutination (RPHA) and passive haemagglutination (PHA) respectively and positivity was confirmed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-HCV antibody was detected by ELISA. None of the samples were positive for HBsAg. Anti-H BsAg antibody was positive in 1.9%(6/303). The positive rate increased with age reaching 25% positivity among the elderly. The anti-HBsAg antibody positivity was 2.35, 2.32, 1.22 and 2.00 in Dharan, Ilam, Dhankuta and Tehrathum respectively. Anti-HCV antibody was detected only in one sample (15-year-old boy) collected in Dharan. These findings indicate that the HBV and HCV infections are not active in eastern Nepal.
