Seroprevalence, Genotypic identification and Comparative evaluation of diagnostic methods for Hepatitis C Virus in our Tertiary Care Hospital, Kanchipuram.
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Abstract
Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has posed a major public health problem globally. Since majority of HCV infected patients are asymptomatic, diagnosis of HCV infection is mainly based on the detection of anti-HCV antibodies by Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) and HCV Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) by real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of serum samples. The present study was done to know the seroprevalence of HCV by various methodologies such as RDTs, 3rd generation ELISA, CLIA and real time PCR and to analyze the prevalent genotype in our hospital.
Materials and methods: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out in the Virology Section, Department of Microbiology, Meenakshi Medical Collage Hospital and Research institute (MMCHRI), Kanchipuram, India, for a period of 12 months from November 2022 to October 2023. The study includes 700 samples from suspected patients of hepatitis. Sample were processed as per standard protocol and were subjected to Rapid, ELISA, CLIA and Real time PCR. Further the positive samples were subjected to gene detection by PCR.
Results: Out of 700 samples, anti-HCV antibodies was detected by RDTs is 7(1%) samples, ELISA is 7(1%) samples, CLIA is 9(1.28%) samples and HCV RNA by RT-PCR in 9(1.28%) samples. Out of 9 positive samples, the predominant genotype was identified as 3b type followed by 1a type.
Conclusion: This study aim to strengthen the proper screening for HCV infection to reduce the morbidity and mortality. RT PCR test revealed that few samples that were negative by other methods turned out to be positive in PCR. Real time PCR is considered as the gold standard test. It can be reiterated that genotyping is important for diagnosis, treatment planning along with follow up. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment can prevent complications.