Serological and Molecular Detection of Hepatitis B virus among patients referred to Kurdistan Center for Hepatology and Gastroenterology in Sulaimani City/Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus infection is caused by the hepatitis B virus, a major global health problem. This infection can lead to chronic conditions, followed by cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The current study was aimed to detect HBV using serological and molecular techniques. During 2019, 300 blood samples were collected from Kurdistan Center for Hepatology and Gastroenterology in Sulaimani city. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques were used for the detection of HBsAg and HBV DNA, respectively. Obtained results were revealed that 92 out of 300 tested patients (30.66%) seropositive for HBsAg. Among 92 seropositive patients, 53 were shown positive results for HBV DNA by RT-PCR. Dental clinic visiting and dialysis were among the important risk factors for HBV transmission. The vast majority of positive results were among males. Smokers showed relatively high rates of positive results. One-third of the referred patients who had liver complaints were positive for HBsAg. More than half of the seropositive patients showed RT-PCR positive results. It was concluded that the molecular method (RT-PCR) is more sensitive and gives a more accurate result than serology (ELISA). Therefore, it can be used as a diagnostic tool for HBV detection.