Acute viral hepatitis C is an organ-specific virus known to affect the liver. A hospital-based study conducted in Karnataka, India, assessed the clinical presentations and the alterations in the hematological and hepatic parameters in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV).

This retrospective study analyzed data from people who were confirmed to be affected only by HCV by the standard diagnostic method using the Anti-HCV Antibody from January 2014 to June 2016. Overall, 48 people were included in the study and were compared with healthy individuals who had tested negative for any infectious and chronic diseases (individuals from annual health checkups).

Over the study period, 48 individuals had tested positive for HCV. Of these, 35 patients were symptomatic and 13 were asymptomatic, who were diagnosed incidentally during routine/mandatory investigation prior to a surgery.

Among the symptomatic patients, jaundice (82.85%) and loss of appetite (57.14%) were the predominant clinical symptoms, followed by nausea and vomiting, and fever (45%). The mean serum total bilirubin level was elevated and serum albumin was reduced. Alanine amino-transferase (ALT), aspartate amino-transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were elevated. There was a significant difference in the various hematological, hepatic and electrolyte endpoints. 

Acute infection with HCV was shown to lead to alterations in hematological, hepatic and electrolyte endpoints.

Source: Jakribettu RP, George T, Rai MP, et al. Clinicohematological Profiles of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): A Retrospective Hospital Based Study. Int J Med Lab Res 2018;3(2):46-51.