prevalence of anti-hepatitis B core antigen in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus related complications [liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma]

ABSTRACT

This study included 200 patients with chronic HCV related complications [as liver cirrhosis and HCC]. Ch. HCV proved by PCR, liver biopsy and histopathological examination. Hundred healthy individuals of comparable age and sex constituted the control group. This study showed 24.5% with chronic HCV related complications were positive for anti-HBc, antibody. The percentage of patients testing positive for anti-HBc antibody was statistically significantly higher in cases of HCC than in cases of liver cirrhosis. The anti-HBc antibody was the only serological marker for HBV infection in a significant number of patients with chronic HCV related complications when HBV DNA negative by PCR. On the other hand, there was no relation between a past history of blood transfusion and the prevalence of anti-HBc antibody in patients with Ch. HCV related complications