INCIDENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION AND GENOTYPES IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main cause of liver-related complications and it is
said to be 10 times more infectious than HIV with no currently available vaccine. Knowledge of
circulating genotypes and subtypes of HCV is vital for epidemiological purposes, in addition to
therapeutic and monitoring considerations.
Aim: This study was aimed at determining the incidence of HCV infection and genotypes in
Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive cross sectional research design was adopted, where blood samples from
240 respondents were collected among individuals attending some Hospitals in Kaduna State
and screened for Hepatitis C virus using Strip test and ELISA methods. The genotyping was
carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR) methods. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS Version 20.00
Software. The Statistical Tests performed using Chi-square (x2) with Significant difference at
the threshold p ≤ 0.05.
Results: Of the 240 blood samples collected, 8.33 and 12.5% prevalence of HCV was found
using Strip test and ELISA methods respectively. Genotype 2a was the most frequent (66.7%),
followed by 4(a-h) (41.7%), then 1a (8.33%). The only case of HCV/1a genotype was detected
in YDMH. HCV genotype 2a was detected in YDMH (62.5%) and SPYMH (31.5%). Similarly,
HCV genotype 4(a-h) was detected in the YDMH (80.0%) and SPYMH (20.0%).
Conclusion: This study showed the occurrence of HCV in the three selected Hospitals, with the
highest burden of the infection being associated with SPYMH, while YDMH seem to be the
‘hotbed’ for hepatitis C viral genotype diversity.