Molecular detection of HCV infection in suspected liver disease patients of District Mardan, Khyber PuhktoonKhwa

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis is a common cause of liver related problem due to different viruses concerned with liver, where Hepatitis C (HCV) has been documented as the major cause and lead to many complications. A total of 1500 (54% Male and 46% Female) suspected liver disease patients were selected for the study. Confirmation was carried out by ICT, ELISA and q-PCR. Age wise and gender wise and Tehsil wise distribution of the data was carried by statistical analysis. HCV RNA was detected in 438 (29.2%) samples out of total 1500 samples of suspected liver disease patients via q-PCR. Out of 438 patients, 210 (47.94%) were male and 228 (52.06 %) were female patients. In age group 41-60 years there were 210 (47.94%) HCV RNA positive patients. In age group 21-40 years it was 104 (23.74%), in >60 years it was 95 (21.68%) and in <20 years 29 (6.62%) was observed. In Tehsil wise distribution it was noted that 228 (52.05%) HCV RNA positive samples were from Tehsil Mardan and 115 (26.25%) and 95 (21.68%) from Takhtbhai and Kattlang respectively. This study concludes that the most specific, sensitive and reliable test use for detection of HCV is q-PCR. Female infectivity rate with HCV is relatively higher then male in District Mardan. Age group 41-60 years was found the most susceptible group to HCV infection in this study. Among the three Tehsil of District Mardan, the highest number of HCV infected patients was found in Tehsil Mardan with 228 (52.05%) patients.