SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION AMONG PATIENTS WITH LIVER DISEASES ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE
Main Article Content
Keywords
Hepatitis C virus, Seroprevalence, ELISA, Hospital-based study, India
Abstract
Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global health concern, causing asymptomatic to chronic infections, which can lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis C remains a pressing health issue worldwide, with an estimated 180 million affected globally and significant numbers in India. The virus has varied geographical prevalence, reflecting differing transmission patterns and risk factors.
Aim and Objective: This study aims to determine the seroprevalence of HCV among individuals attending a tertiary care center, providing essential data to guide prevention and control measures.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over one year at a tertiary care hospitalwith collaboration with the Department of Microbiology and Department of Biochemistry. Three hundred patients attending outpatient and inpatient services were included after obtaining informed consent. Blood samples were collected, processed promptly, and stored appropriately. Serum samples were tested for anti-HCV antibodies using a validated third-generation ELISA kit, performed per the manufacturer’s instructions with appropriate controls.
Results: Among the 300 individuals tested, the overall seroprevalence of HCV was found to be 2.6%. Male patients demonstrated a slightly higher prevalence (2.8%) compared to females (2.5%), though the difference was not statistically significant. The highest seropositivity was observed in the 40-49 years age group, consistent with cumulative exposure risks. No cases were detected in the youngest age (below 20 years).
Conclusion: This study highlights a moderate seroprevalence of HCV among the hospital-attending population, emphasizing the need for continued surveillance, public education on infection risks, and stringent infection control measures in healthcare settings. Large-scale community studies are warranted to further elucidate the epidemiology of HCV and strengthen preventive strategies.
Aim and Objective: This study aims to determine the seroprevalence of HCV among individuals attending a tertiary care center, providing essential data to guide prevention and control measures.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over one year at a tertiary care hospitalwith collaboration with the Department of Microbiology and Department of Biochemistry. Three hundred patients attending outpatient and inpatient services were included after obtaining informed consent. Blood samples were collected, processed promptly, and stored appropriately. Serum samples were tested for anti-HCV antibodies using a validated third-generation ELISA kit, performed per the manufacturer’s instructions with appropriate controls.
Results: Among the 300 individuals tested, the overall seroprevalence of HCV was found to be 2.6%. Male patients demonstrated a slightly higher prevalence (2.8%) compared to females (2.5%), though the difference was not statistically significant. The highest seropositivity was observed in the 40-49 years age group, consistent with cumulative exposure risks. No cases were detected in the youngest age (below 20 years).
Conclusion: This study highlights a moderate seroprevalence of HCV among the hospital-attending population, emphasizing the need for continued surveillance, public education on infection risks, and stringent infection control measures in healthcare settings. Large-scale community studies are warranted to further elucidate the epidemiology of HCV and strengthen preventive strategies.
References
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2. WHO. World Health Organization, Hepatitis C, Fact S. 2024. Available online: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c. Cité 29 avr 2024.
3. Cui F, Blach S, ManzengoMingiedi C, Gonzalez MA, Sabry Alaama A, Mozalevskis A, et al. Global reporting of progress towards elimination of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol Avr. 2023;8(4):332–42.
4. Alessio L, Onorato L, Sangiovanni V, Borrelli F, Manzillo E, Esposito V, et al. DAA-based treatment for HIV-HCV-coinfected patients: analysis of factors of sustained virological response in a real-life study. Antivir Ther. 2020;25(4):193–201
5. Kim HN, Nance RM, Williams-Nguyen JS, Chris Delaney JA, Crane HM, Cachay ER, et al. Effectiveness of Direct-Acting antiviral therapy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-Hepatitis C virus coinfection in routine clinical care: A multicenter study. Open Forum Infect Dis Avr. 2019;6(4):ofz100.
6. Zarębska-Michaluk D, Jaroszewicz J, Parfieniuk-Kowerda A, Pawłowska M, Janczewska E, Berak H, et al. Pangenotypic and genotype-specific antivirals in the treatment of HCV Genotype 4 infected patients with HCV monoinfection and HIV/HCV coinfection. J Clin Med. 2022;11(2):389.
7. Zoratti MJ, Siddiqua A, Morassut RE, Zeraatkar D, Chou R, van Holten J, et al. Pangenotypic direct acting antivirals for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine Janv. 2020;18:100237. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
8. Polaris Observatory HCV, Collaborators. Global change in hepatitis C virus prevalence and cascade of care between 2015 and 2020: a modelling study. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol Mai. 2022;7(5):396–415.
9. Chakravarti A, Ashraf A, Malik S. A study of changing trends of prevalence and genotypic distribution of hepatitis C virus among high risk groups in North India. Indian J Med Microbiol. 2013;31(4):354–9.
10. Hepatitis C. Initiative for Vaccine Research. World Health Organization. 2009. Available from:http://www.who.int/vaccine_research/diseases/viral_cancers/en/index2.html.
11. Chandrasekharan S, Palaniappan N, Krishnan V, Mohan G, Chandrasekharan N. Hepatitis B viral markers and hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti HCV) in Madurai, South India. Indian J Med Sci. 2000;54(6):270–3.
12. Chattopadhyay S. Hepatitis C. A major health problem of India. Curr Sci. 2002;83(1):9.
13. Chandra M, Khaja MN, Farees N, Poduri CD, Hussain MM, Aejaz H, et al. Prevalence, risk factors, and genotype distribution of HCV and HBV infection in the tribal population: A community based study in South India. Trop Gastroenterol. 2003;24(4):193–4.
14. Manjunath P, Salmani MP, Peerapur BV. Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus among hospital based general population in Bijapur. Int J Biopharm Res. 2014;3(3):204
15. Matsumura T, Hu Z, Kato T, Dreux M, Zhang YY, Imamura M, Hiraga N, Juteau JM, Cosset FL, Chayama K, et al. Amphipathic DNA polymers inhibit hepatitis C virus infection by blocking viral entry. Gastroenterology. 2009;137:673–681. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2009.04.048
16. Mishra S, Chayani N, Sarangi G, Mallick B, Patil SB. Seroprevalence of anti HCV antibody in and around Cuttack, Orissa. Indian J Med Microbiol. 2002;20:40–1.
17. Mukhopadhya A. Hepatitis C in India. J Biosci. 2008;33(3):465–73.
18. Salmani MP, Peerapur BV. Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in hospital based general population. Int J Biopharm Res. 2014;3(3):204–6.
19. Kassa GM, Walker JG, Alamneh TS, Tamiru MT, Bivegete S, Adane A, et al. Prevalence, trends, and distribution of hepatitis C virus among the general population in sub-Saharan africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Liver Int Déc. 2024;44(12):3238–49
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Published
Nov 17, 2025
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How to Cite
Dr. Roshni Agarwal, Dr. Fareya Haider, Dr. Sukanta Bandyopadhyay, Dr. Nashra Afaq, Neetu Kushwaha, Dr. Ekta Arpita Andriyas, & Dr. Raees Ahmed. (2025). SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION AMONG PATIENTS WITH LIVER DISEASES ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(10), 820-824. https://doi.org/10.53555/6p1dqj80
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Author Biographies
Dr. Roshni Agarwal
Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Autonomous State Medical College, Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. Fareya Haider
Professor, Department of Microbiology, Career Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. Sukanta Bandyopadhyay
Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Rama Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. Nashra Afaq
Assistant professor4, Department of Microbiology, Rama Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Neetu Kushwaha
Lecturer, Department of MLT, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. Ekta Arpita Andriyas
Assistant Professor, Department of MLT, Era University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. Raees Ahmed
Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Sudha Medical College and Hospital
How to Cite
Dr. Roshni Agarwal, Dr. Fareya Haider, Dr. Sukanta Bandyopadhyay, Dr. Nashra Afaq, Neetu Kushwaha, Dr. Ekta Arpita Andriyas, & Dr. Raees Ahmed. (2025). SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION AMONG PATIENTS WITH LIVER DISEASES ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology, 32(10), 820-824. https://doi.org/10.53555/6p1dqj80