Epidemiology and Molecular characterization of Hepatitis C virus in Tamilnadu (India) during the year 2013

HCV infection is emerging as a serious public health problem in Tamil Nadu. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection leads to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The transmission of HCV is primarily through exposure to infected blood. In this study, patient’s serum samples were screened for IgG antibodies by ELISA and RNA amplification during the period January to December 2013. HCV viral RNA was identified by semi nested RT-PCR using genotype specific PCR primers (using specific core region) for the determination of HCV genotypes. Of the 680 cases, 38 (5.58%) were positive for HCV IgG antibodies. Gender wise distribution revealed 59.6% were male and 40.4% were females. Among the IgG positives, 33 (86.8 %) were pediatric cases and 5(13.2 %) were adults. Six samples were detected with viral RNA among these were pediatric (83.3 %) and adult (16.7%). An age wise breakup revealed that maximum number of cases was in the age group of 6-12 years. Sequence analysis results showed 1(b) genomic subtypes as the most prevalent genotype amongst the pediatric age group in Chennai. In developing countries like India, surveillance is very important and utilizing well equipped and established laboratories for the diagnosis and management of HCV cases in emergency situations which may in turn reduce HCV related morbidity and mortality.