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

ABSTRACT

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