Hepatitis C virus genotypes in Bahawalpur

This study was conducted at Medical Unit-II Bahawal Victoria Hospital / Quaid-e-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur from May 1st, 2005 to December 31st 2005. The objective of this study was to determine hepatitis C virus [HCV] genotypes in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. In consecutive 105 anti-HCV [ELISA-3] positive patients, complete history and physical examination was performed. Liver function tests, complete blood counts and platelet count, blood sugar fasting and 2 hours after breakfast, prothrombin time, serum albumin, serum globulin and abdominal ultrasound were carried out in all the patients. Tru cut biopsy was performed on 17 patients. We studied HCV RNA in all these patients by Nested PCR method. HCV RNA was detected in 98 patients and genotyping assay was done by genotype specific PCR. Among total of 105 anti-HCV positive patients, HCV-RNA was detected in 98 patients. Out of these 98 patients there were 57 [58.2%] males and 41 [42.8%] females. Their age range was 18-75 years. The age 18-29 years 26 [26.5%], 3o-39 years 35 [35.7%] and 40-75 37 [37.8%], while to [10.2%] patients were diabetics and 34 [34.7%] patients were obese. Liver cirrhosis was present in to [10.2%] patients. Forty two [43.9%] patients were symptomatic while 56 [57.1%] were asymptomatic. Out of 98 patients 11 [11.2%] were un type-able and 87 [88.8%] were typeable. 70/98 [71.4%] were genotype 3; 10/98 [10.2%] were genotype 1; 03/98 [3.1%] were genotype 2; 03/98 [3.1%] were mixed genotype 2 and 3; 01/98 0%] were mixed genotype 3a and 3b. Genotype 3 is the most common HCV virus in our area which shows that both virological and biochemical response will be better. Because HCV genotype 3 is more frequent among the drug users which points towards unsafe injection practices in our area

Frequency of hepatitis C infection in diabetes mellitus

The study was conducted at diabetic clinic B.V. Hospital/Q.A.M.C Bahawalpur from December 1st, 2004 to March 15th, 2005. Diabetes mellitus and hepatitis C infections are common and emerging problems of the society. Either diabetes mellitus is common in chronic hepatitis C patients as reported initially by Ellison and co-workers or hepatitis C infection is more frequent in diabetes mellitus. We want to study the frequency of hepatitis c infection in diabetes mellitus. To study the frequency of hepatitis C infection in diabetic patients and to note any risk factors of diabetic patients predisposing to hepatitis C infection. A cross-sectionalObservational-descriptive analytic study. A total of 250 consecutive diabetic patients of either sex were compared with 6574 blood donors for hepatitis c infection. They were evaluated for hepatitis C infection by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay [ELISA-3] which is an anti-HCV anti body test. On basis of this test, the patients were divided into two groups, anti-HCV +ve and anti-HCV -ye. Different variables of these patients were studied and compared in these two groups Variables studied were as follows:- Age, Sex, BMI, Mode of therapy area of their residence[rural or urban] Duration of diabetes mellitus, Blood pressure, Nephropathy and Control of diabetes mellitus. Among a total of 250 patients, 120 [48%] were male and 130 [52%] were female. Two hundred and forty-four [97.6%] patients were of type-II DM and 06 [2.4%] patients were of type-I DM. 22 [8.8%] patients were on insulin therapy while 228 [91.2%] were on oral hypoglycemic agents. Anti-HCV test was positive in 69 [27.6%] diabetic patients as compared to blood donors 41 [0.62%]. In anti-HCV positive group, longer duration of diabetic mellitus [15yrs 15.94%], poor control of diabetic mellitus[87%], insulin therapy[17.39%] hypertension[91.3%] and nephropathy[94.2%] were the significant vari ables while BMI, age, sex and whether they were belonging to either rural or urban area were not significant in both the groups. Hepatitis C infection is common in diabetic patients as compared to control group [27.6% vs 0.62%]. Out of diabetic patients HCV infection is more common with longer duration of diabetic mellitus, poor control of diabetic mellitus, hypertension, nephropathy and insulin therapy