Molecular estimation of Hepatitis C virus and assessment of hepatic function tests in chronic HCV cases in Kirkuk Government/ Iraq

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is considered one of the main causes of chronic hepatic diseases which is an RNA virus that belongs to the family Flaviviridae and to the genus Hepacivirus. With persistence of HCV-RNA for more than six months, acute infection of HCV resulted in chronic hepatic diseases in about more than 85% of patients. The study aimed to evaluate molecular identification of HCV RNA as well as investigation of serum levels of TSB, ALP, ALT and AST in patients with chronic HCV infection. In Kirkuk city from 15th of October 2023 to 15th of April 2024 a cross-sectional study was carried out, blood samples were taken from 70 HCV patients previously diagnosed by ELISA technique for the presence of HCV-IgG antibodies aged (10-70) years and 50 healthy donors as control group. The serum from the specimens were tested for HCV RNA detection by using the RT-PCR Technique. Function tests of the Liver which include (ALP, ALT, AST and TSB) were examined in all the specimens that involved in the study. The result showed that out of the 70 HCV patients in the study group who had positive anti-HCV, 47 (67.14%) had positive HCV RNA, compared to 0% in the group of control. The highest rate of HCV patients were male (62.86%) who reside in urban area (68.57%) , and in those with age group (31-40)years(31.43%).When the study and control group  were examined in terms of serum TSB, ALP,  ALT, and AST levels, it was determined that TSB, ALP,  ALT, and AST levels were elevated in chronic HCV patients compared with control groups and the results between the two groups were significant statistically. PCR is more accurate technique for detection of HCV and must be carried out along with ELISA technique. HCV had a significant effect on liver enzymes levels which were highly increased in patient with HCV.