title: Hepatitis C Virus infection in apparentenly healthy individuals with family history of diabetes in Vom, Plateau State Nigeria.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important public health problem worldwide. Its association with, and predisposing nature for diabetes mellitus (DM) has been long established. This research was carried out to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) amongst people with possible genetic predisposition to diabetes mellitus living in and around Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria. 188 subjects were screened after they filled a structured questionnaire to determine some of their demographic data, social habits and possible risk factors. 5 ml of blood was collected from each subject and sera separated out. Biotech's third generation ELISA Kit for HCV antibodies was used for the screening. Liver enzyme analysis was carried out on positive samples to determine their disease status. A prevalence of 14.36% was recorded with the highest seropositive group being those in the age bracket of 18 - 37 years. 13(13.40%) of males and 14(15.38%) of females were sero-positive. Liver enzyme analysis of sero-positive subjects showed increased levels which may imply early onset of liver damage. These result showed that these individuals could later suffer diabetes which may be triggered by their HCV infection if not treated. This is not over-looking the economic significance of their ill health, assuming they progress to cirrhotic HCV or develop hepatocelluar carcinoma due to HCV chronicity.
authors.affiliation: National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Nigeria. obee_nwankiti@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Obinna O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Nwankiti
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ndako
authors.forename: Georgebest On
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Echeonwu
authors.forename: Atanda O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Olabode
authors.forename: Chika I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Nwosuh
authors.forename: Ema M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Onovoh
authors.forename: Lilian A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Okeke
authors.forename: Jumoke O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Akinola
authors.forename: Boniface N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Duru
authors.forename: Ijeoma O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Nwagbo
authors.forename: Godwin O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Agada
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Chukwuedo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies