Tuberculosis and Hepatitis Infections among the Underprivileged Orphan Children of Northern 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.