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Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus among the newcomer students, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt
Author(s) -
El Batae Hassan,
Amer Ibrahim,
Kobtan Abdelrahman,
Saied Shimaa M.,
Ghazy Amany,
Elkalla Ferial,
El Sharawy Shimaa
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.25249
Subject(s) - seroprevalence , medicine , hepatitis c virus , antibody , hepatitis c , liver function tests , virology , serology , immunology , virus
Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) constitutes a global public health problem in Egypt, as it has the highest worldwide prevalence. This study aimed at determining the seroprevalence of HCV among the newcomer students of Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt. Methods A cross‐sectional serosurvey was conducted including 9049 students. Medical examination, ultrasonography, and laboratory investigations were done. Liver function tests and HCV antibody testing were carried out for all students who gave an informed consent; HCV‐RNA polymerase chain reaction was performed for students with positive HCV antibody testing. Results The mean age of screened students were 18.6 ± 0.39 years. In total, 4233 (46.8%) were males and 4816 (53.2%) were females. Using HCV antibody testing, only 25 students (0.0028%) had positive antibodies; among them, 24 students (0.0026%) had HCV RNA positive; the study showed none statistically significant higher percentage of HCV infection among males (13 out of 24, 54.2%) than females (11 out of 24, 48.5%), P > 0.05. The results of liver function tests were not significantly different between the HCV‐positive and HCV‐negative students. However, the liver transaminase enzymes were significantly higher ( P < 0.0001) in HCV positive students compared to the negative ones, despite its mean values did not exceed the upper normal level. HCV infection among young Egyptian generations showed a marked decline. Conclusion Prevalence of HCV infection among young Egyptian generations had markedly decline, indicating the start of successful control of HCV infection.