title: The liver function profile in PCR-RNA Egyptian HCV-patients and normal controls.
abstract: No doubt, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a real health problem worldwide. The liver function tests (S.ALT, S.AST, Albumin, Total Protein, Total Bilirubin and Direct Bilirubin) were evaluated in 20 PCR-RNA positive HCV-patients and 10 cross matched apparently healthy population. All the HCV-patients and controls were free from liver helminthes. The results showed that in the HCV-patients, there was elevation in the level of S.ALT (17/20 or 85%), S.AST (20/20 or 100%), Total Bilirubin (7/20 or 35%), and (4/20 or 20%). Besides, there was neither a correlation between sexes nor the degrees of viraemia and the elevation of these four parameters. However, serum levels of Albumin, and Total Protein were within the normal range. On the other hand, in the controls the levels of the six tests were within the normal range. Nevertheless, only one control subject who had positive HBs-Ag, showed elevated Total Bilirulin and Direct Bilirubin. Consequently, these tests are indicative as useful and dependable markers in the non-invasive diagnosis of the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ali A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Wahib
authors.forename: Mohamed S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Seif El Nasr
authors.forename: Amal M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mangoud
authors.forename: Atef M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: El Shazly
authors.forename: Ayman T A
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Morsy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000821:virology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012709:Serum Albumin; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D001663:Bilirubin