Revalence of anti-hepatitis C and hepatitis B among patients with viral hepatitis in Egypt

ABSTRACT

Serum sample of 70 patients with viral hepatitis without obvious parenteral routes of viral transmission were tested for anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies [HCV] and hepatitis B virus markers [HBV]. Overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 17.1% and for any anti-HBV markers 64.2%. anti-HCV was more likely to be positive in subjects positive for any HBV marker [20% of subjects positive for HBV marker had anti-HCV antibodies]. Anti-HCV antibodies was positive in 21% hepatitis surface antigen positive patients. These results suggest that HCV and HBV may have similar routes of spread in the community and anti-HCV might be a clinical index of active HCV infection