A study on the Prevalence of chronic Hepatitis C in HCV-Ab positive patients referring to Gaemshahr Razi Hospital clinics in 1998

Background and Since blood and blood products are the most known sources of hepatitis Ç transmission, and infection with this virus tends to be chronic in patients. hence, it was decided to study hepatitis Ç in thalassemia major patients who are in frequent need of blood transfusion. Total of 100 thalassemia patients referring to clinic were selected and Ânti-HÇV was measured by ËLÏSÂ method. Ôut of which 18 patients were positive. Biopsy was done in 11 positive cases for further studies, pathologic results showed 9(81%) chronic hepatitic Ç, 1(9.9%) cases with cirrhosis, and 1(9.09%) case uncertain due to insufficient sample. Liver enzyme was normal in 6(54.6%) cases, and abnormal in 5(45.4%) cases. There is no relationship between the liver enzymes and severity of liver infection, and possibility of chronic hepatitis c, in non symptomatic patients with normal liver enzyme must also be considered. Liver biopsy (Gold standard) is the evaluation of liver damage in chronic hepatitis Ç. Çonclusion: Liver biopsy is recommended in patients with positive HÇV-Âb, even if liver enzymes are normal, in order to determine the degree of liver damage.