2019, Cilt 17, Sayı 1, Sayfa(lar) 056-061 |
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Determination of HCV-RNA by Polymerase Chain and Its Clinical Importance in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection |
Mesude Falay Yılmaz1, Doğan Cengiz2, Gülsevim Saydam2 |
1Ankara Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Hematoloji Lab, Ankara, Türkiye 2Türkiye Yüksek İhtisas Hastanesi, Biyokimya Lab, Ankara, Türkiye |
Keywords: HCV-RNA, PCR, Hepatitits C |
Aim: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a worldwide common virus that has an important role in the etiology of
chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCV is a disease that causes different
pathologies ranging from asymptomatic carriage to acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and
HCC. Serum ALT levels and Anti-HCV tests are routinely used in the diagnosis of HCV infection, but
these tests have limitations. In this study, we aimed to investigate HCV-RNA levels in patients with
chronic HCV infection who were anti-HCV positive and to establish a correlation with serum ALT levels
Materials and Methods: At Türkiye Yüksek İhtisas Hospital, a total of 95 patients diagnosed with
chronic HCV infection that have not started any treatment, have been examined for serum ALT levels,
anti-HCV and HCV-RNA positivity, retrospectively.
Results: Of the 95 cases with anti-HCV-positive chronic hepatitis C infection, 60 (64%) had HCV-RNA
positive results while 35 (36%) had negative and ALT was above 41 U / L (80%) in 76 cases, and <41 U /
L in 19 cases (20%). Of the 60 patients with HCV-RNA positive, 89% had high ALT (p =0.05).
Conclusion: Anti-HCV is insufficient in the diagnosis of chronic HCV infection and follow-up of the
disease. Even if the HCV infection is healed, its positivity continues. For this reason, in anti-HCV positive
screened patients, HCV-RNA existance by PCR should be done for confirmation.
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