Significance of HCV viremia in AntiHCV antibody positive high risk group people attending Tertiary Care Hospital, Salem District

Objective: The study aims to estimate the prevalence of antibody against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and HCV viremia among anti-HCV positive patients who are attending the tertiary care Hospital, Salem District.

Materials & Methods: A total of 36541 patients attended OPD & IPD to Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, Salem, Tamil Nadu during the period January 2024 – December 2025. Among them 6548 belong to high risk group (HRG’s) cases were selected for the study & subjected serological testing using rapid card (immunochromatography method) and Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).  Once the patient detected positive for Anti HCV antibodies, viral load test was performed using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Data was analyzed using SPSS software 20.0 with the level of significance p < 0.05.  Chi-square test was used to correlate the age and gender distribution of patients with HCV viral load and found to be statistically insignificant.

Result: Out of 6548 HRG cases, 125 patients were detected positive for HCV in rapid card & ELISA. Among them, only 36 patients found to have HCV viremia in their blood using RT-PCR. The overall prevalence rate of HCV infection is 0.34 % as per our present study. Most commonly infected were male & highest prevalence was observed in 50-60 years of age group and about 9.9%. Data was analyzed using SPSS software 20.0 with the level of significance p < 0.05.  Chi-square test was used to correlate the age and gender distribution with viral load and found to be statistically insignificant.

Conclusion: The present study reveals that overall prevalence of HCV infection in Salem district is at intermediate endemicity level (0.34%). Compared to WHO estimates and previous reports from India, this is low.