Assessment of Clinical Chemistry Parameters and Viral Load of Hepatitis C Virus among Patients Infected with Hepatitis B Virus Attending Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital (AE-FETHA), Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis A and B are the most common causes of chronic hepatitis infections globally. This study aims at evaluating the clinical chemistry  parameters of Hepatitis C virus among individuals infected with Hepatitis B virus attending Federal Teaching Hospital (FETHA), Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Data such as demographic, laboratory and clinical data were collected from the hospital. Blood samples  were also collected from 480 consented individuals for the screening and the presence of HBsAg was detected. Some chemistry analyses  were performed to unveil the level of their immune responses using laboratory standard procedures. Of a total 480 consented patients  screened, 101 individuals were reactive to hepatitis B virus surface antigen. Data obtained in our study showed an overall percentage  prevalence of 45 (male patients, 24.8, and female patients 75.2). In analysis of HCV-IgM, the higher percentage was noticed among the  male individuals infected with hepatitis B virus (20 %) and female subjects with 13.2 %. The IgG was higher among male subjects with 16  % and female patients with 14.5 % while patients of 52-62 years of ages had high percentage of 50 each for both IgM and IgG. Occupation  was also considered as a demographic factor and farmers presented higher percentage among the occupations observed,  there was a significant difference between the parameters observed in respect to their occupations (p < 0.05). Results of chemical  analyses of patients positive for HCV showed higher viral load among the male counterparts and alanine aminotransferase level is higher  for patients between the ages of 19-29 years. Meanwhile, increase in creatinine level was noticed among the businessmen. Conclusively,  hepatitis B and C viruses are global challenges and require immediate attention.