Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among Sudanese patients with Schistosomiasis referred to Al-elafon military hospital in Khartoum state

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and schistosomiasis have worldwide coexistence, especially in Africa. Some researchers suggest that the schistosomiasis is the risk factor for the development of HCV infection. Objective: The current study was aimed to determine seroprevalence of HCV among Sudanese patients with schistosomiasis. Method: From April to July 2017, 60 blood samples were obtained from the patients who confirmed microscopically with schistosomiasis. The blood samples were centrifuged at 3,000 RPM for 5 minutes to obtain serum. All serum samples were screened for the presence of HCV IgG antibody by using Indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The samples with positive reaction were confirmed by repeating the test. We used an interviewer-administered questionnaire to ask participants about their demographic data as well as their geographical afflation. Statistical analysis was performed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.