Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in healthy adults and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected persons in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of HCV infection in Abuja, FCT, Nigeria was determined among healthy adults and HIV infected persons. A total of n=520 apparently healthy HIV negative persons and n=1,200 infected persons were tested for antibodies against HCV by rapid chromatographic immunoassay HCV kit (Acon, ACON laboratories Inc). The positive HCV antibodies samples were subjected to confirmatory test using third generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Hisen HCV card). Seven out of the (n=520) HIV negative persons tested positive for HCV antibodies and twenty four persons out of (n=1,200) HIV positive persons tested positive for HCV antibodies representing 1.4% and 2.3% positivity respectively in the two groups.

The prevalence of HCV among HIV infected persons and non HIV infected persons were statistically significant (P>0.01). Therefore, there is the need to fully integrate HCV screening as a routine test in our hospitals/laboratories in the country.

Keywords: HIV; HCV; HIV/HCV co-infection; ELISA, FCT