Tuberculosis and hepatitis infections among the underprivileged orphan children of northern Pakistan. | [Pakistan Journal of Zoology • 2013]

Author(s):

1. Abdul-Rauf: School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan; Department of Zoology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan

2. Muhammad Shahid Nadeem: School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan; Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra 21300, Pakistan

3. Haroon Riaz: School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan

4. Muhammad Muzammal Latif: Healthcare Diagnostics and Research Centre, Allama Iqbal Town, Lahore, Pakistan

5. Muhammad Zahid Latif: Healthcare Diagnostics and Research Centre, Allama Iqbal Town, Lahore, Pakistan

6. Nisar Ahmed: Human Appeal International (HAI), Sector G-9/2, Islamabad, Pakistan

7. Abdul Rauf Shakoori: School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract:

The hepatitis B, C and tuberculosis infections were not investigated in orphan children with low socioeconomic status living in the northern Pakistan. A total of 542 (292 male and 250 female), randomly selected orphan children with an age limit between 5 to 17 years were included in this study with informed consent. The subjects were screened for Anti HBsAg, Anti HCV and anti tuberculosis antibodies using immune-chromatography kits. Those found positive for initial screening were further confirmed by PCR amplification of RNA and DNA of related pathogens. HCV virus was also investigated for its genotypes. Among the total investigated subjects, 9.6% were found positive against HCV, 8.3% were found positive against TB and only one positive case against HBV was found. The genotype 3a was detected in majority PCR positive samples followed by genotype 2a> an unknown genotype >1a>1b and 2b. The higher frequency of viral hepatitis C and TB among the orphan children refers to an alarming situation about these infections and health care conditions of underprivileged orphan children in northern Pakistan.

Page(s): 1765-1770

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Zoology, Volume: 45, Issue: 6, Year: 2013

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