STUDY OF THE RELATION OF UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY TO HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION

Abstract

Hepatitis C represents a major public health problem in Egypt due to its prevalence rate, which may exceed 20% in some sections of the population and its chronic course. While 60% of infected persons acquire HCV parenterally, mainly during blood transfusion and intravenous drug abuse, the sources of HCV transmission are still unknown in 40% of patients. A nosocomial origin of the virus has been suggested, and transmission by gastrointestinal endoscopy is suspected especially as HCV has been detected in the saliva of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

So, the aim of the present research was to study the relation of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to hepatitis C virus infection.

The study was carried out on two groups:

!.Group (A) included 250 of volunteer blood donors. All donors claimed to be in good health on a routine blood bank screening questionnaire: specifically, non of them claimed to have history of jaundice, an active organ disease including hepatitis, and none were addicted to alcohol or drugs. 2.Group (B) included 10 non-treated anti-HCV positive patients.

Group (A) underwent questionnaire that included the following variables:

•Age. •Gender.

•Occupation. •Marital status.

•History of blood transfusion 2: 6 months.

•Education.

•Residence.

•History of medical intravenous injection 2:6 months.

•History of surgical interference 2: 6 months.

•History of dental interference 2:6 months.