Pilot Study of. Hepatitis C Prevalence Following Gastrointestinal Endoscopy '

Abstract

Hepatitis C IS a major public health problem throughout the world. Sequelae of hepatitis C range from acute transient infection to subclinical chronic infection or persistent infection that might lead to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

The study aimed to verify the possibility of transmission of hepatitis C by digestive endoscopy.

Our study included 40 patients (27 males and 13 females) aged between 11- 72 years subdivided into 4 groups each included 10 patients.

- The first group included 10 patients on regular endoscopy for dilatation of the esophagus

The second group included 10 patients on regular injection sclerotherapy of esophageal varices.

- The third group included 10 patients undergoing endoscopy for the first time.

- The fourth group included 10 patients with chronic liver disease and not subjected to endoscopy before.

All patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, biochemical assay, ultrasonographic examination and viral markers and PCR for HCV with genotyping of positive cases for PCR.

Nineteen patients showed positive results of hepatitis C markers and 21 patients showed negative results.