Prevalence, impact and risk factors of hepatitis C infection.

: The present study was designed to investigate the status of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and associated risk factors among Egyptian military recruits. The impact of HCV infection on liver function was also assessed. The sera of 726 military recruits were tested for HCV antibodies using second generation ELISA technique (Ortho). The overall prevalence was 330.4%. Considering the presence of hepatitis B and/or schistosomiasis infection, HCV antibodies were detected in 30.0% of HBsAg carriers, 36.8% of bilharzial patients and 48.8% of those with concomitant infections. Among individuals without schistosomiasis or HBV infection, the rate decreased to 22.5% positive with HCV. The present study indicated that parenteral exposure to the virus might be the most important route for acquiring infection, while blood transfusion had a very minor role. The study of the impact of HCV on liver functions revealed that a single infection with HCV only was associated with almost normal liver function tests. However, infection with more than one hepatitis virus revealed a greater impact on the liver function. Morbidity also increased when schistosomiasis infection was superimposed.