Prevalence of anti-hepatitis C antibodies in patients with liver disease

108 liver diseased patients, either admitted as indoor patients, or attending the hospital as outdoor patients were included in the present study. Four hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, namely; Federal Government Services Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Capital Hospital and Rawalpindi General Hospital were selected for this study. The selection of cases was based on the relevant case history, which was recorded in each case on a proforma. The patients were selected for the serological studies of HCV antibodies based on the recorded information and clinical diagnosis of the attending physician. In addition, one hundred apparently healthy individuals, showing no liver ailment, were also tested for anti-HCV antibody as a control population. Among the liver dysfunction patients, 32 [29.63%] were found positive for anti-HCV antibodies. Of these positive patients, four had received blood transfusion and seven gave a positive history of surgery. Out of the surgical interventions, five had had cataract surgery and two had received dental treatment. No known source of infection could be attributed to the remaining positive patients. Among the control population, 4% were positive for HCV antibodies. The possible source of infection among the controls could be recorded only in two cases. One had received blood transfusion and the other had undergone surgery without transfusion. The source of infection in the remaining control positive cases could not be attributed to any cause

Relationship between liver cancer and trace metals scalp hair

The aim of this investigation was to use scalp hair as a possible indicator of trace element abnormality and to ascertain whether or not differences in their levels may occur due to liver cancer and subsequent treatment. The concentration of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Zn, Ca, and Mg were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. This study showed higher average concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Mg in normal, as compared with diseased male subjects. Levels of Pb, however, were lower in normal male subjects as compared to the diseased male patients. Diseased female patients showed lower concentrations of Fe, Ca and Mg, as compared to normal female subjects. Levels of Ni and Zn were higher in diseased, as compared to the normal females. The correlation coefficient study did not reveal strong positive correlation between any trace elements in diseased and normal subjects. However, the regression equation showed a significant role of Ca, Fe, Mg and Zn in scalp hair. of normal and diseased subjects. T-test analysis showed distinct Fe and Mg levels for each male and female groups. Hence, Fe and Mg may perhaps play an important role in the diseased and normal subjects