A Mini Review on Viral Hepatitis Focusing Pakistani Population

Fakhsheena Anjum

Dow College of Pharmacy, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan

Dr. Fakhsheena Anjum, Dow College of Pharmacy, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.

Keywords: Viral Hepatitis; Hepatitis in Pakistan; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis E; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C

Abstract

Viral hepatitis causes several mortalities globally every year. The occurrence of this infection differs due to different geographic distribution and settings; this infection can exist throughout the year. Pakistan and Egypt endure 80% of the burden of this disease in the region. This infection is known as ‘silent killer’ due to unawareness of patients as they stay undiagnosed and untreated for several years before contracting disease complications. Very limited community based research on Hepatitis viral infections has been conducted in Pakistan; the data proposes such infections as endemic with prevalence in general population, blood donors and pregnant females. In Pakistan, viral hepatitis A and E cause maximum morbidity and hepatitis B, C and D cause maximum mortality. About 90% children in Pakistan suffer from hepatitis A in before 10 years of age due to poor sanitation and hygienic conditions; the disease can be silent in both children and adults. In Pakistan, acute viral hepatitis is mainly due to HEV especially in adults belonging to low socioeconomic groups. During summers, floods and rains, Hepatitis E mostly occurs as outbreaks and sporadic cases due to poor sanitation and lifestyle. The main mode of transmitting blood borne pathogens i.e. HBV, HCV and HIV in the developing countries is improper sterilization of invasive medical devices and therapeutic injections from reused needles and syringes. Approximately 1/3^rd HBV-infected persons in Pakistan were co-infected with hepatitis D virus leading to chronic liver disease. It has been observed that HCV replaced HBV in ensuing years and has appeared as the most common cause of liver disease. The delta viral infection may endure causing a major disease burden in Pakistan due to its substantial pool of positive cases. Precise information about hepatitis frequency in Pakistan is a requisite along with information about the major risk and infection factors to target it specifically. It is essential to institute regional laboratories with economical technologies for testing viral hepatitis all over the country to exactly estimate hepatitis burden. Basic facilities like safe water supply and improved sanitation should be made available. A central registry for hepatitis and liver diseases and proper surveillance system is highly desirable in the country.

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