Short Communication
English
Mohammed Koha ¹, Farouk Al Najar ¹, Abdul Monem Al Serraj ² ,Ziad Rajab ³
1-Department of General Surgery, Tripoli Medical Centre, 2-Department of Haematology and Oncology,Tripoli Medical Centre, Tripoli, Libya
JMJ Vol.8, No.2 (Summer) 2008:137-139
Abstract
Background: Blood-born pathogens (Hepatitis B, C and HIV) have been studied in the general population in Libya. The prevalence of HIV, HCV and HBV were 0.13%, 1.19% and 2.15% respectively. However the prevalence rates of hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among adult patients presenting for surgery remain unknown in Libya. The aim of this study: Is to measure the prevalence of Hepatitis B, C and HIV infections before surgery in adult patients admitted in general surgery department in Tripoli Medical Centre (TMC). Patients and Methods: 2193 adult patients were admitted to department of surgery, TMC between (1.1.2004 – 31.12.2004) for emergency or elective surgery (major and minor procedures). Medical records were reviewed to identify test results for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, all these tests are done routinely to all patients admitted to our department and are presented before surgery. Results: The 2193 patients tested for bloodborn pathogens, 13 patients (11 males and 2 females) 0.59% were positive for HIV (0.59% versus 0.13%, P < 0.001), 69 patients (35 male and 34 female) 3.14% for hepatitis C (3.14% versus 1.19%, P < 0.001) and 45 patients (27 male and 18 female) 2.05% for hepatitis B (2.05% versus 2.18%, P > 0.5). Only 1 male patient tested positive for all 3 viruses (0.04%) and 5 male patients tested positive for HIV and HCV (0.22%). Conclusion: Prevalence of bloodborn pathogens (Hepatitis C, HIV) is higher in patients presenting for surgery in TMC than in the general population. This can be explained by an increased risk for developing a surgical problem in HIV and hepatitis (e.g. associated malignancies, an immunocompromised state, hepatic dysfunction and renal impairment). Moreover, TMC is a referral hospital for infectious diseases and advanced surgery. Given the high prevalence of these infections, prevention strategies should be evaluated and implemented to prevent cross infections and to protect health care workers, especially surgical teams from bloodborn pathogens.
Keywords: Libya, HIV, HCV, HBV, Tripoli Medical Centre (TMC)
Link/DOI: http://www.jmj.org.ly/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1473