HBV is a non cytopathic virus that causes a spectrum of liver diseases ranging from acute hepatitis (including
Fulminant hepatic failure) to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aim to
determine the prevalence of acute hepatitis B virus infection among patients attending Sokoto Specialist Hospital,
Sokoto, Nigeria, using Biorex ELISA Kits for the determination of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and one step
cassette style HBV test Kits for the determination of Hepatitis B core antibody IgM (IgM HBcAg). Of the 300
patients whom attended Sokoto specialist hospital were screen for hepatitis B virus infection (HbsAg), only
42(14.0%) were positive for the virus. These positive samples were further tested for the presence of IgM HBc, only
27(64.3%) having the marker for acute hepatitis B virus infection (Presence of IgM HBc antibody). Therefore,
government should create HBV clinics in all government owned hospitals/health centers for the enlightenment of
our communities and also to encourage parents vaccinate their children against HBV as this could help to alleviate
the acute infection rates.