Prevalence of hepatitic C virus antibodies in chronic liver disease, hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma and rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus [Anti-HCV] has been measured using HCV EIA 2 second generation test in 97 patients with chronic liver disease [CLD], hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] and rheumatoid arthritis [RA]. 45 normal subjects served as control. 46.15% of 39 patients with CLD were positive for anti-HCV, while 64.7% of 17 patients with hepatitis showed positive antibodies to HCV. In HCC, 60% of 15 patients were positive to anti-HCV. Interestingly, 36.4% of 26 patients with RA having positive rheumatoid factor showed positive antibodies to HCV and 11.1% of normal controls were positive to anti-HCV. HBsAg was positive in 20.5% in CLD and in 47% in hepatitis group, while 40% of HCC patients showed positive HBsAg. Low prevalence of HBsAg was found in RA and controls [3.8% and 4.4% respectively]. Our study revealed that HCV has a role in causation of hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic liver disease in our locality. Also, cross-reactivity between antibodies to HCV and other antibodies [rheumatoid factors] may occur