Hepatitis C virus infection its role in chronic liver disease in comparison with hepatitis B among a sample of Iraqi patient

Hepatitis C virus [HCV is one of the important causes of chronic liver disease [CLD] all over the world. This study is conducted to assess the relationship of HCV to CLD and compare it to HBV in causation of CLD in Iraq. For the purpose of the study, seventy patients with CLD, from 2 major Teaching Hospitals in Baghdad were assessed fully and screened for HCV antibodies and HBV Markers 8 [11.4%] patients were found to have HCV antibodies. The distribution of HCV antibodies were equal among both sexes [F/M = 1/1]. The prevalence of HBsAg among the studied group was 19.9%. Only 3 [42.8%] patients out of the 7 patients with positive HCV antibodies, gave a history of previous whole blood or blood products transfusion in the past. It was found that alanine aminotransferase enzyme [ALT] was significantly raised in patients with HCV antibodies in comparison to patients with CLD due to HBV infection. It is concluded that HCV infection should be considered during the investigation of patients with CLD. Furthermore it is essential to screen blood donors for anti-HCV prior to blood transfusion and this test should be available in all blood banks in the country

Prevalence of hepatitis cantibodies and hepatitis B markers in Iraq haemodialysis patients

Blood sera from 100 patients on chronic haemodialysis program, cited at Baghdad teaching hospital, Adnan teaching hospital and Al-Yarmouk teaching hospital were collected during the period from November 1994 till July 1995. All sera were tested for anti-HSV [3rd generation ELISA test], HBsAg and IgM anti-HBc. It was found that 62% of the sera were positive for anti-HCV, 30% were positive for both HBsAg and IgM anti-HBc. The seropositivity for both HBsAg and anti-HCV were 15% indicating high prevalence of co-infection of HBV and HCV infection. However 23% of the total sera showed no virological markers

value of 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recording in diagnosis of transient palpitation, dizziness and syncope

Sixty-two patients with the complaints of transient attacks of palpitation, dizziness, and for synoope were evaluated by continous ambulatory ECO recording for 24 hours [Holier monitoring]. In all these patients it was not possible to obtain a standard ECG recording during the patient typical symptom; morever the resting ECG was devoid of any dysrrhythmia in the majority [89%] of patients; Hotter monitoring revealed 2 diagnosticaly important groups. 1- Those with arrhythmias coinciding with the symptoms in 26 [42%] patients. 2- In 5 [8%] patients, no arrhythmia was recorded during the patient's symptoms. thus excluding cardiac arrhythmia as a possible cause of their symptoms. Although in the remaining 31 [50%] patients, symptoms didn't occur during the recording period, yet 19 [31%] patients recorded various types of arrhythmias