Revisiting the Utility of Biochemical Profile in the Diagnosis and Management of Hepatitis C Virus Infection: a Study from India

Abstract

Several serum analytes can be used for the management of liver diseases. The present study was carried out to assess the role of biochemical markers in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCV infection. Blood samples (5 ml) collected from 300 patients with chronic HCV infection were analyzed for the presence of HCV antibodies and HBsAg by ELISA, and the infection was reconfirmed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotyping was done by restriction fragment length polymorphism or direct sequencing. Quantitative detection of HCV RNA by real-time PCR and measurement of Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Bilirubin, Total Protein and Albumin levels was performed before and after 6 months of therapy. Anti HCV antibodies were found in 139 samples, of which 73 were positive for HCV RNA. Genotype 3 was the commonest genotype isolated, while an initial viral load of patients
was higher in genotype 1. SGPT, SGOT and bilirubin levels were significantly deranged in HCV antibody positive patients while SGPT, SGOT, albumin and ALP were markedly raised in HCV RNA positive patients. Among 139 HCV AB-positive patients, all six parameters were found to be significantly deranged in HCV RNA positive patients compared to negative patients.
Pre-therapy levels of SGPT, bilirubin and ALP were significantly higher than post-therapy levels. SGOT, SGPT and bilirubin are important diagnostic markers of HCV infection, while SGPT, bilirubin and ALP are valuable indicators of response to therapy. Biochemical profile can serve as cost-effective and dependable indirect marker for HCV infection.