Prevalence of HCV among leprosy patients

ABSTRACT

Family contacts of hepatitis C virus infected patients have a higher incidence of HCV infection than that expected in the general population. The same applies to leprosy which is acquired through prolonged contact [community acquired]. It was reported that HCV serologic prevalence was 5% in leprosy patients living in Senegal. So, the aim of this study was to find the prevalence of HCV among leprosy patients in Alexandria. Fifty leprotic patients constituted the material of this study. Blood samples were collected aseptically and subjected to routine laboratory investigations, as well as liver function test. Diagnosis of HCV was done by both second generation ELISA. Also, detection of hepatitis B markers were made. Our results showed a high prevalence of anti HCV among our leprotic patients [24 patients out of 50 had reactive anti-HCV = 48%]. On the other hand, HBsAg was significantly lower than anti-HCV in the same group [8 out of 50 had HBsAg = 16%], while co-infection was detected in only two cases [4%]