Comparative Assessment of the Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Amongst Blood Transfused and Non-Transfused Sicklers in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become an important cause of liver disease and liver cancer worldwide. Because of their frequent crises, sickle cell patients are usually subjected to different treatment conditions such as multiple blood transfusion, multiple injections, intravenous drug use and traditional surgery with substantial potential risks. Blood transfusion is believed to play a leading role in the transmission of HCV infection to sicklers. This study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of HCV antibodies among transfused and non-transfused sicklers in Edo State. Sera from the subjects were tested for HCV antibodies using Clinotech Diagnostic test device supplied by Clinotech Diagnostic and
Pharmaceuticals, Canada. A total of 1,052 sicklers comprising 526 with history of blood transfusion and 526 without such history were recruited for this study. The overall seroprevalence was 2.5% (26/1,052). However, seropositivity was found in 3.0% (16/526) sicklers transfused while those without transfusion had seropositivity of 1.9% (10/526). There was no
significant difference in infection rates between the two populations (X2 = P > 0.05). Transfusion and the non– transfusion routes appear to be independent risk factors for the transmission of hepatitis C virus infection in this locality.