Current Profile of Hepatitis C in Tripura, India

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Viral hepatitis is one of the common causes of chronic liver disease. Hepatitis C is the second most importantcause of chronic viral hepatitis. Globally, an estimated 71 million people have chronic hepatitis C infection. In 2015, there were1.75 million new hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Approximately 399,000 people die each year due to HCV-related cirrhosisand hepatocellular carcinoma. Highest numbers of infections are noted in Egypt. South East Asian region countries are alsohaving high prevalence. The prevalence in India is around 1%. In Tripura, blood bank-based study shows prevalence around0.1%. Higher prevalence was seen in patient on maintenance hemodialysis.Objectives: The study was designed to determine. (1) Mode of transmission of hepatitis C in Tripura, (2) To evaluate genotypicpattern of hepatitis C infection in Tripura, (3) To evaluate coinfection with human immune deficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV).Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study done on 60 consecutive hepatitis C patients attended the liver clinic ofHepatitis Foundation of Tripura between January 2018 and December 2018.Results: The study reveals that in this group, 65% hepatitis C patients were males and 35% were females and 63.3% patientsare from rural areas whereas 36.7% patients are from urban areas. Study shows that there is shift of age among hepatitis Cpatients from older to the younger group. It was observed that 5% of hepatitis C patients had coinfection with HIV infectionbut no coinfection with HBV. Regarding mode transmission of hepatitis C, 30% are through blood transmission, 20% throughdrug abuse, 16.7% patients through sexual route, 11.6% patients through dialysis, 1.7% prenatal transmission, and 20%remain unknown. Genotype 3 was 75% (3a was found in 55% and 20% were genotype 3b,) and genotype 1 was 25% (21.7%genotype 1a and 3.3% were genotype 1b). In the study group, 18% were in decompensated chronic liver disease.Discussion: The prevalence of HCV infection seems to be increasing among people who inject drugs in Tripura. Malepreponderance in this study may be due to more exposure to drugs among males. Higher prevalence of Hepatitis C amongthe rural people may be due to increase quackery practice in the rural areas.