NSU Research Contributions
Title : Comparative Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA, Anti-HCV and Liver Transaminase Levels as Markers and Predictors of Infectivity in HCV Infection
Authors : Kazi Nadim Hasan, Fahmida Nasrin, M Abu Taher, Sohidul Islam, Obaidur Rahman, Ishrat Jabeen, M Abdul Khaleque, Sharif Akhteruzzaman
Abstract : Assessment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infectivity has become essential in the management of HCV infection in order to diagnose infection, guide treatment decisions and monitor response to antiviral therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the state of HCV infection by comparing quantitative HCV-RNA level with antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) and liver transamiase (ALT and AST) levels. The HCV RNA level was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), anti-HCV was detected by fourth generation enzyme immunoassay and transaminases were measured using biochemical analyzer in 120 clinically suspected HCV patients. Among 119 anti-HCV positive patients, 37 (31.1%) had no detectable level of HCV RNA. One anti-HCV negative individual was found to have significant HCV RNA level. Hence, no significant association observed between anti-HCV and HCV RNA (p ~ 0.692). High HCV RNA levels in the range of 1 x 10 4 to 1 x 10 8 IU/mL were found in 38 of 59 patients with normal ALT. The results also demonstrated no significant association between HCV RNA and serum transaminases level ip - 0.55 for HCV RNA vs. ALT and p = 0.43 for HCV RNA vs. AST). Comparison of anti-HCV with liver transaminase level showed no significant association (p = 0.49 for anti-HCV vs. ALT; p = 0.43 for anti-HCV vs. AST). The study demonstrates that anti-HCV and liver transaminase level do not effectively reflect the status of HCV infection and quantitative HCV RNA (viral load measurement) is the most reliable means of using it as markers of HCV infectivity before initiating therapy, monitoring disease progression and determining therapeutic efficacy.
| Journal : Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science | Volume : 18 | Year : 2012 | Issue : 2 |
| Pages : 120-125 | City : | Edition : | Editors : |
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