Pollution Research Paper

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF HEPATITIS C INFECTION AMONG PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM JAUNDICE IN ALIGARH REGION

INDU SHUKLA AND NIKUL KUMARI SHARMA

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus causes a serious liver infection and affects approximately 3% of the world’s population. In Aligarh, the prevalence of the disease is not well understood. The study was aimed at investigating the active prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus; characterize genotypes circulating in the general population. A total of 315 patients were admitted in the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College & Hospital, a standard Performa was filled for the each consenting participant to determine the risk factors. Blood was collected, screened for anti-HCV antibodies and positive samples subjected to polymerase chain reaction method to confirm active infection and by the use of type specific primers we determined the genotype of HCV in Aligarh region. Genotype 3 is more prevalent in Aligarh region approx 71% and genotype 2 and genotype 4 is 23% and 6% respectively; while genotype 1 is not found. Out of 315 patients about 10.7% patients were infected with HCV while the rest is infected with other Hepatitis Virus HBV, HAV, HEV; 17.4%, 8.5%, 25% respectively. In this study we found that prevalence of HCV in females (14%) is more than males (8%). Patients at the age of 20-30 are more affected by HCV about (37.1%) in which males and females are 20% and 50% respectively. Patients those infected with HCV had deranged LFT report which shows the increases level of AST and ALT enzymes and infected patients majorly had symptoms of fever and jaundice. About 50% of patients were faced the sever condition.