PMO-171A pilot of targeted case finding for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) in the British South Asian community

• Published in: Gut Vol. 61; no. Suppl 2; p. A143
• Main Authors: Mcpherson, S, Moses, S, Valappil, M, Rehman, S, Miller, C, Baxter, K, Saeed, A, Shafiq, K, Hudson, M, Bassendine, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.2012
• Subjects: Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C virus
• ISSN: 0017-5749
• DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2012-302514b.171

IntroductionChronic HBV (cHBV) and HCV (cHCV) are frequent causes of cirrhosis and liver cancer. cHBV and cHCV are prevalent in subjects from South Asian countries and many infected individuals are unaware of their condition. A previous case finding pilot for HBV in the British-Chinese community of the NE of England found that 9% of subjects tested were HBsAg positive.1 Targeted screening for HBV and HCV is recommended by the AASLD2 and the European Liver Patients Association3 in subjects born in endemic areas (HBsAg prevalence greater than or equal to 2%). However, there are no current UK guidelines. Our aim was to apply AASLD recommendations to British South Asian community of NE of England.MethodsMembers of the NE South Asian community were invited to attend screening sessions at a Newcastle Mosque and the Sunderland Bangladeshi Community Centre. Dry blood spots were obtained by finger prick and tested for HBsAg, HBcAb (Abbott ARCHITECT registered ) and HCV antibody (Roche + confirmed by Biorad). HBsAg and/or HCV Ab positive individuals were advised to undergo confirmatory testing and be referred for specialist assessment.ResultsTo date, 329 subjects were screened in four sessions (median age 39, range 6-83; 75% male). The screened subjects were most frequently born in Bangladesh (49%) followed by Pakistan (36%), the UK (14%) or other countries (6%). 1.8% of subjects were HBsAg positive indicating cHBV. 2.8% of subjects had past infection with HBV (HBsAg negative, HBcAb positive). 1% of subjects were HCV Ab positive (all born in Pakistan). The prevalence of cHBV was 3% for individuals born in Pakistan and 1.5% for those born in Bangladesh. 3% of individuals born in Pakistan were HCV Ab positive. Only 4% of subjects reported previous vaccination against HBV.ConclusionUndiagnosed cHBV is prevalent in the South Asian community of NE England, although the prevalence was lower than in the British-Chinese community. These results provide evidence for a targeted case finding programme for HBV and HCV in subjects born in South Asia.FundingThis study was supported by a Gilead UK and Ireland Fellowship and Livernorth.Competing interestsNone declared.References1. McPherson S, et al. Gut 2011; 60(Supp 2):A25.2. Lok A, McMahon B. Hepatology 2009; 50:1-36.3. Piorkowsky N. J Hepatol 2009; 51:1068-73.