ABSTRACT
The overall prevalence of HCV antibodies in the general population is around 10-15% and is highly prevalent among Egyptian blood donors. The study was carried out on 30 patients, there was [21 male and 9 were female] age ranged from 27-62 ys with proved HCV infection by means of positive antibody assay for the virus and positive PCR for HCN RNA. The current study aimed to evaluate the role of HCV in peripheral neuropathy [PN] and to assess the response of PN to medical treatment PN was assessed clinically by motor and sensory examination. Beside routine clinical and laboratory tests, electrophysiological studies were also done. At presentation, sensory axonal degeneration neuropathy was the most prevalent type of neuropathy in the studied HCV subjects, in addition male HCV -patient are slightly more subjected to the development of HCV- associated peripheral neuropathy furthermore. Peroneal nerve conduction velocity was found to be impaired more than that of median nerve. Interestingly the presence of ascites had no significant effect on the degree of nerve conduction. The underlying mechanism of such peripheral neuropathy is mostly due to axonal degeneration. We therefore conclude that HCV- associated neuropathy had mainly a chronic evolution. PN manifestations can be the initial presenting manifestation of HCV infection