NJBMS - Volume 2, Issue 1, July - September 2011

Pages: 8-13
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HEPATITIS C VIRUS SEROPREVALENCE IN & AROUND SRIKAKULUM, AP

Author: GAYATRI V, SRI VIDYA VVL

Category: Microbiology

Abstract:

Epidemics of jaundice have been reported since 5 century B.C. In 1908 MacDonald postulated that, virus acting on a previously damaged liver, might cause acute yellow atrophy of the liver. Viral etiology of infectious Hepatitis gained favour from that point onwards. In 1926 Flaum recorded parental transmission of Hepatitis. The experiments of Von Voeght in 1942; Cameron in 1943 and Haven in 1948 on human volunteers established the viraletiology of Hepatitis, and confirmed the presence of more than 2 immunologically and epidemiologically different agents as stated by MELNICK. From 1989, it was evident that most non-A non-B post transfusion Hepatitis were due toHCVonly. The aim of present study was to know the seroprevalence of HCV in and around Srikakulam among different risk groups and to know the association between HCV, HBV and HIV infections. The material for the present study consisted of samples collected from three risk groups, and one control group. All groups consisted of people of different ages (15-45 yrs) and both sexes. Group-1 included Blood donors, who attended our RIMS, Srikakulam. blood bank. Group –2 included patients attending STD OP, R.I.M.S., Srikakulam Group-3 included antenatal mothers who attended Obstetrics O.P. Control group - included samples from general population of both sexes and within the age group of 15-45 years, without any past or present history of jaundice, blood transfusion or any surgery. Statistical analysis was done using Epi Info 6 software. Chi Square test was done. Yates Corrected Chi Square value was used wherever applicable. A total of 3000 sera of three different risk groups (blooddonars, S.T.D. patients and antenatal mothers) were screened for anti-HCV antibodies, along with 100 controls. A HCV seroprevalence of 0.9% was found in the present study. Highest seroprevalence was found in antenatal mothers, compared with the other two groups. Seroprevalence of HCV was high among women and in persons with advanced age. HCV seroprevalence was found to be often associated with HBV infection, than with HIV infection. This significant HCV seroprevalence in antenatal mothers, S.T.D. patients and blood donors emphasizes the need for regular HCV screening among these groups.

Keywords: Chronic viral hepatitis, Hepatitis-C virus, Prevalence of HCV