Diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection by qualitative polymerase chain reaction

[摘要] Objective:evaluate the behavior of hepatitis C virus infection in patients referred tothe Molecular Genetics Laboratory at Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital. Methods:a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the period 2004-2012 of4 026 patients from the gastroenterology, hemodialysis and transplant servicesat Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital. Infection was diagnosed byqualitative UMELOSA HCV polymerase chain reaction.Results:prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection increased with time and did not showany statistically significant differences related to sex and age. Coinfectionby hepatitis B virus and acquired immunodeficiency was not significant amongthe patients (0.2 % and 0.04 %, respectively), and positivity was low amongpregnant women.Conclusions:molecular methods are an accurate tool for the clinical diagnosis of hepatitisC virus, regardless of the service referring the patient. The possibility ofits use at the institution where the study was conducted is very important forthe Cuban health system.

[学科分类] 传染病学