PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS IN THE EMPLOYEES OF UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, PESHAWAR

Objectives: To detect the presence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the employees of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar. Method: Two hundred employees (180 males and 20 females) of the University were selected on the given criteria. Blood samples were collected and serum was separated by centrifuging the samples at 5,000 rpm for 8 minutes. The sera were transferred to eppendorf tubes and stored at -20 °C. Samples were initially screened for Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) by Immuno Chromatographic Test (ICT). All the serum samples were used for HBV DNA extraction and subsequent two steps Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay developed at the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (IBGE) for the confirmation of active infection of HBV. PCR products were detected on 2% Agarose gel pre-stained with Ethedium Bromide. Results: Results of ICT indicated that 6 (3%) were anti HBsAg hepatitis positive, of which 5 (2.5%) were males and 1 (0.5%) was female. The PCR results confirmed that 4 (2%) were actively infected, of which 3 (1.5%) were male and 1 (0.5%) was female. The results indicated that infection with HBV was more in male than female and was more in the age group of 25–35 years. Conclusion: The infection with HBV in the employees of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar was 3% as determined by ICT method and 2%. It was more in male than female and was more in younger age than older age. Screening and vaccination of the employees is recommended. Pak J Physiol 2017;13(3):12–4