Screening of Hepatitis B and C viruses in claimed and unclaimed bodies

Every year, one million Indians are exposed to risk of HBV and about 100,000 die from HBV infection. The population prevalence of HCV infection in India is 1%. Both HBV and HCV infections are transmitted parenterally with former being the most transmissible of the blood borne viruses and about 100 times more infectious than HIV. HBV infection can produce a chronic infection, chronic liver disease or primary hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV is known to produce a persistent infection that is often associated with chronic liver disease. Increased risk of hepatitis B infection has been found among health care workers especially those having frequent contact with blood and exposure to needles or sharp instruments. Most of the unclaimed dead bodies brought for autopsy at LHMC and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi are of beggars or destitutes who are addicted to drugs or involved in unsafe sexual activities with more chances of exposure to HBV and HCV. Considering the risk at autopsy, the present study was conducted to weigh the actual risk among claimed and unclaimed dead bodies.