Seroprevalence & Molecular Characterisation of Hepatitis-C Virus Among High-Risk Group Cases Attending to a Tertiary Care Hospital of Eastern India

Author(s): Manaswini Das, Dharitri Mohapatra, Sonam Silpa Moharana, Roma Rattan, Nirupama Chayani, Sanatan Behera

Aim: To determine the seroprevalence and viral load in high-risk group patients and assess their compliance after treatment for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Method: This hospital-based prospective study was conducted at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack from December 2019 to November 2021. A total of 200 high-risk group patients' blood samples were tested for HCV using Standard Q HCV antibody test (ICT), commercially available 3rd generation Microlisa (ELISA), and HCV RNA detection via Truenat real-time RT-PCR machine based on the 5'NCR region. Viral load monitoring after treatment was performed, and genotyping was conducted using the cobas 4800 system.

Results: Out of 200 high-risk group cases, 25% were ICT positive, 22.5% were ELISA positive, and 15% were HCV RNA positive. Among all high-risk groups, hemodialysis cases had the highest prevalence rate, and healthcare workers were significantly (p<0.05) associated with HCV infection. Genotype 3 was more predominant (68.5%) than genotype 1. Among genotype 1, subtype 1A (17.5%) was more prevalent than 1B (8.5%).

Conclusion: To rule out false positive cases, HCV RNA testing should be performed for all positive cases via Truenat real-time RT-PCR machine, which is portable, less time-consuming, requires minimal technical expertise, and is available at peripheral centres. This approach is also helpful for viral load monitoring before and after treatment.