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, has worldwide coexistence, especially in Africa. Some researchers suggest that 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, a total of 60 blood samples were obtained from patients who confirmed microscopically with Schistosomiasis. The blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 RPM for 5 minutes to obtain serum. All serum samples were screened for the presence of HCV IgG antibody by using Indirect 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 SPSS version 20. Result: All patients were male and aged between 15 to 27 years old with an average of 20.1± 2.25 years. Out of 60 serum samples investigated 3 [5%] were positive for HCV IgG antibody, while 56[93.3%] were shown a negative result. Interestingly, we determine one sample 1[1.7%] with borderline reaction. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was a high seroprevalence of HCV IgG antibody among patients with Schistosoma infection in comparison to the finding of previous researchers who investigate those are not infected. This may suggest a possible association between HCV infection and Schistosoma. Further studies with the inclusion of a large sample size and by using a more advanced technique [PCR] should be considered in the future.