Journal of Infectious Diseases & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is known to cause serious complications such as chronic liver cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Globally 3% of the population is affected by HCV infection. Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India; accounts for 0.5% of this disease. The present study aims at analyzing the prevalence of HCV infection in different age groups in the population of Tamil Nadu. The samples were received and collected from primary health care, private and government hospitals. A total of 751 HCV susceptible samples were screened for anti-HCV antibodies by ELISA. Among the 751 samples, 41 samples were positive, which was further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Our study revealed that pediatric age groups 1-5 and 6-12 were predominantly affected by HCV, with high incidence among males. The statistical analysis student t-test was performed and the distribution was significant across groups. In addition, other epidemiological parameters were also analyzed as a part of this study.

Biography

Pavithra S is a Visiting Scholar in Genetics and Stem Cell Laboratory at University of Pacific, San Francisco, where she is currently researching the effect of Folic Acid in ameliorating hypoxia induced stem cell changes, and its correlation to non-syndromic craniofacial cleft lip and palate. She obtained her medical degree from India, at the culmination of which she was awarded the “Best Outgoing Student” for her academic excellence and research interests. She worked in the Department of Internal Medicine where she treated patients and organized medical camps in rural and underserved areas. She plans to continue her research and provide healthcare as a Physician in the US.