Molecular study of HCV detection,genotypes and their routes of transmission in North West Frontier Province,Pakistan

Objective:To determine hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotypes and explore the associated risk factors in chronic HCY patients.Methods:A total of 116 patients with chronic hepatitis C were subjected to polymerase chain reaction(PCR) based detection out of which 112 chronic HCV patients[53 male(47.32%),59 female(52.68%);mean age(43.76±16.40) years;mean BMI(23.8± 3.9)kg]were enrolled in this study.The frequency of 6 HCV genotypes and associated risk factors were evaluated from five districts of North West Frontier Province(NWFP).Results:Genotype 3was the most prevalent in 73 samples(65.17%) followed by genotype 1 in 24(21.42%) and genotype2 in 13(11.60%) samples.Genotype3 had significantly high prevalence(P=0.0002).The results showed that 48(42.85%) samples were infected with HCV 3a:25(22.32%) with 3b;14(12.50%) with 1a;10(8.92%)with 1b;11(9.82%) with 2a;2(1.78%) with 2b;and 2 were untypable.The distribution of HCV genotypes in Murdan.Charsadda,Peshawar.Sawabi and Nowshehra districts was different.Use of unsterile equipment lor medication,barbers and previous history of hospitalization were the main risk factors for HCV transmission.Conclusions:Cenotype 3a and 3b.1a.1b and 2a are the common genotypes in NWFP.Genotype 4.5.and 6 can not be found in a single sample.The level of awareness about various modes ot transmission of HCV among the population is found to be verv low.

Viral outbreaks and communicable health hazards due to devastating floods in Pakistan

Pakistan is a developing country that has a population of 190 million people and faces a huge burden of viral diseases. Every year during monsoon season heavy rain fall and lack of disaster management skills potentially increase the transmission of waterborne diseases, vector borne diseases and viral outbreaks. Due to severe flooding, thousands of people lose their lives and millions are displaced each year. In most of the cases the children who lose their family members are forced into illegal professions of begging, child labor and prostitution which make them prone to sexually transmitted infections. Up to date, no scientific study has been conducted nationwide to illustrate epidemiological patterns of waterborne diseases, vector borne diseases and viral epidemics during flash flood. Mosquito sprays would not be a sufficient approach for dengue eradication; mass awareness, larvicide and biological control by Guppy fishes are also effective strategies to overcome dengue problem. International health bodies and non-governmental organizations must take note of this alerting situation and take adequate steps such as financial/medical aid in order to defeat the after-effects of flood.

Identification of novel silent HIV propagation routes in Pakistan

Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) is rapidly increasing in both high risk groups and the general population.In this study, silent routes of propagation in teenaged Pakistanis are discussed. In order to promote sexual activity in youths, regular clients write contact details of sex workers on the doors of public washrooms. HIV prevalence is much higher among Hijra sex workers.Hijra sex workers have apparently stepped into the profession of begging at public places, where they earn money by both begging and distributing visiting cards offering unsafe sex. In many educational institutes, sex education is lacking or absent; if delivered via teachers,government agencies and nongovernmental organizations this could prevent a future epidemic of sexually transmitted infections in Pakistan.