Assessment of Hepatitis C Virus RNA Levels in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection Ahmed Muthanna Nasserr AL-Bishi

Abstract

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is characterized by persistent viremia and is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and the leading indication for liver transplantation. The hallmark of the disease is its propensity to evolve into chronicity, probably because viral heterogeneity allows the virus to escape immune-mediated neutralization. Aim: This study aimed to assess the level of serum viral load in relation to chronic hepatitis C infection Methods: Thirty patients (twenty-seven males, three females, mean age 40  3 years) with chronic hepatitis C infection referred from outpatient clinic of internal medicine department at Al-Gamhuria Modern Hospital. Ten Healthy volunteers, age and sex matched were included in this study as a control group. All underwent HCV serologic testing with quantitation of HCV-RNA on Cobas Amplicor analyzer. Result: The result of common sign observed  on the patients were 14 patients (46.7.0%) with hepatosplenomegaly and 6 patients (20.0%) with hepatosplenomegaly and ascites. AST and ALT levels showed highly statistical significant elevation in patient groups when compared to control (P < 0.001). AST levels in HCV patients with moderate viraemia showed statistical significant elevation when compared to patients with viral load of less than 600 IU/ml (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Measurement of serum HCV RNA titer and noninvasive biochemical parameters can be a mirror to predict the severity of liver injury in chronic HCV infection.                       Keywords: chronic HCV infection, HCV- RNA.