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Quantitative real-time PCR for the analysis of viral load among Hepatitis C Virus positive patients attending the medical Out Patient Department at a north Indian tertiary care centre

The present study aimed towards the determination of seroprevalence and viral load among hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients attending the Medicine Out Patient Department (OPD) of Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu over a period of two years and five months i.e. from May 2016 to September 2018. About 16315 patients were screened for anti-HCV antibodies using third-generation ELISA, among which 142 were reported to be positive amounting to seropositivity of 0.8%. Viral RNA was extracted and quantified from the positive samples and viral load analysis was done. The viral RNA was detected in 37 patients stating an active infection in 26% of positive patients. Among the 37 HCV RNA positive patients, the average age was reported to be 44 years with male preponderance (2.4:1). 23 patients were categorised under high viral load while 14 under low viral load. The major cause of HCV transmission appeared to be surgery and intravenous drug use (IVDU).