Frequency of active HCV infection among anti-HCV positive patients in selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine frequency of active HCV infection among confirmed anti-HCV positive subjects of KPK in order to help the infected subjects decide about anti-viral treatment options. Methods: Blood samples (3075 samples) were collected from patients in selected districts of KPK and were transported to Centre of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Diagnostic laboratory, University of Peshawar. These patients were already screened for anti-HCV by ICT (Immuno Chromatographic Technique) and ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay) in the local laboratories of the concern districts. Subsequently, viral RNA was isolated from serum sample and subjected to Real-time PCR. The frequency of the results was calculated for the HCV-RNA positive and negative samples. Results: Out of 3075 confirmed anti-HCV samples, HCV-RNA positive and negative samples were 2055 (66.6%) and 1020 (33.3%) respectively. The frequency of male and female HCV-RNA positive samples was 57.6% and 42.4% respectively. Rate of false anti-HCV positivity was 33.3%. Moreover, rate of active HCV infection was found more in district Bunir followed by districts Dir and Mardan. Comparatively less positive percent frequency of active HCV infection was found in districts Swabi, Peshawar and Kohat, respectively. Conclusion: It is concluded that viremia is present in more than 50% of confirmed anti-HCV positive patients. Anti-HCV positive, but HCV-RNA negative samples represent either false- positivity of anti-HCV or a spontaneous clearance of HCV.

Keywords

• HCV, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, viremia, active infection, PCR

Frequency of active HCV infection among anti-HCV positive patients in selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Öz

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa eyaletinde (KPK) antiviral tedavi seçeneklerini değerlendirmek amacıyla, anti-HCV pozitif olan kişiler arasında aktif HCV enfeksiyonu sıklığını belirlemektirYöntemler: Kan örnekleri (3075 adet) KPK’nın seçilmiş bölgelerindeki hastalardan toplandı ve Peşaver Üniversitesi Biyoteknoloji ve Mikrobiyoloji Merkezi Teşhis Laboratuvarına nakledildi. Bu hastalar zaten yaşadıkları bölgedeki yerel laboratuvarlarda immuno kromatografik teknik ve Enzim Linked Immunosorbant Assay yöntemleri ile anti-HCV için taranmış bulunuyorlardı. Daha sonra, viral RNA serum örneklerinden izole edildi ve gerçek zamanlı PCR ile araştırıldılar. HCV-RNA sıklığı negatif ve pozitif numuneler için hesaplandı.Bulgular: Anti-HCV pozitif olan 3075 serum örneğinin 2055’inde (% 66,6) HCV-RNA pozitif bulunurken 1020’sinde (% 33,3) negatif bulundu. Erkekler ve kadınlar arasında HCV-RNA pozitiflik yüzdeleri sırasıyla % 57,6 ve % 42,4 idi. Yalancı anti-HCV pozitiflik oranı % 33,3 idi. Aktif HCV enfeksiyon sıklığı en çok Bunir bölgesinde idi ve onu Dir ve Mardan bölgeleri izledi. Aktif HCV enfeksiyonu sırasıyla Swabi, Peşaver ve Kohat bölgelerinde nispeten daha az sıklıkta bulundu.Sonuç: Anti-HCV pozitif hastaların % 50’sinden fazlasında vireminin varlığı gösterildi. Anti-HCV pozitif olduğu halde HCV-RNA’nın negatif olması bu kişilerin anti-HCV pozitifliğinin yalancı olduğunu veya HCV’nin kendiliğinden temizlendiğini göstermektedir

Anahtar Kelimeler

• HCV, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, viremi, aktif enfeksiyon, PCR

Kaynakça

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