Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus in the Population of Albania for the Period 2007-2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2014.094Keywords:
Hepatite Virus C, HCV-RNA, prevalence, Cobas-Amplicor, Albania.Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C is a blood-borne, infectious, viral disease that is caused by a hepatotropic virus called Hepatitis C virus (HCV).
AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of active HCV infection (HCV–RNA) in the cases that were anti-HCV positive.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Plasma of 301 high-risk for HCV infection consecutive from University Hospital Centre “Mother Theresa†Tirana-Albania, during January 2007 to December 2010 was included in this study. To identify the presence of HCV RNA, the samples were examined by Cobas Amplicor HCV test (qualitative method).
RESULTS: From 301 samples analyzed in total, 214 of them resulted positive for the presence of HCV-RNA's, corresponding to a prevalence of 71.1%, with 95% CI interval [65.8 - 75.9] for value of χ2 = 52.7 p value <0.0001. Divide by the sex 56% were males and 44% females, with statistically significant difference between them for value χ2 =4306 p value=0.0380. Among the age groups the highest prevalence was observed in the age groups > 25 years with a significant difference with other age groups for p value <0.001.
CONCLUSION: Among tested samples, 71.1 % were confirmed to be positive for HCV –RNA infections. The prevalence of male was highest compared to female. For males and females infected the prevalence was highest in the age group of > 25 years.Downloads
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