I.J.S.N., VOL.11 (4) 2020: 80-84 ISSN 2229 – 6441 80 SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV) AMONG STUDENTS OF A NIGERIAN TERTIARY INSTITUTION Victor U. Usanga. 1 , Boniface N. Ukwah 1 , Michael E. Kalu 1* , Simon O. Azi 1 , Michael O. Elom 1 , Amos Nworie 1 1 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. *Corresponding Author: Kalu M. E. (kalu.erem@ebsu.edu.ng; +234806 402 8592) ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of irreversible liver disease and responsible for most cases of liver transplant. It has a heterogeneous prevalence in different parts of Nigeria. The study was aimed at determining the seroprevalence of HCV among the students of Ebonyi State University. A cross sectional study involving 1120 participants of both gender, randomly selected from the four campuses of the University. Blood samples were collected and tested for the presence of HCV antibody by chromatographic immunoassay method. Out of the 1120 participants made up of 594 (53.0%) males and 526 (47.0%) females, 58 participants (27 (4.5%) males and 31 (5.9%) females) were anti-HCV seropositive making a prevalence of 5.2%. Participants within the ages of 21-25 years had the highest seroprevalence (6.0%) followed by those in the age group 26-30 years and those within the ages of 31-35 years (5.8%). Those in the age group 16-20 years had the least seroprevalence (3.1%). Married participants were found to be more exposed to HCV infection with a prevalence of 6.0% when compared to the singles (5.1%). In all the variables, the association between anti- HCV seropositivity and the variables were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The 5.2% prevalence reported in this study adds to the knowledge of HCV epidemiology in the country. The infection and its associated complications can be averted or reduced to the barest minimum by intensive public awareness. KEYWORDS: Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Seroprevalence, Students, Ebonyi State University. INTRODUCTION Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was formally referred to as non- A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) after the invention of serological test for viral hepatitis A and B in 1965 and 1973 respectively, 1 until in 1989 when the agent was named by Choo and his co-worker. 2 It is a viral pandemic disease of public health concern, affecting both humans and animals especially chimpanzees and a leading cause of chronic liver disease in the world. 3 It is a RNA virus in the family of flaviviridae, whose route of transmission is parenteral, vertical and sexual, 4 as well as transfusion of unscreened or improperly screened blood or blood products. Other means of transmission may include the sharing of skin piercing objects such as needles, clippers, razor blades, toothbrushes and inadequate sterilization of medical equipment. 5 Hepatitis C viral infection affects people of all ages, races and gender causing both acute and chronic inflammation of the liver. It is responsible for most cases of liver transplantation in US and Britain. 6,7 HCV infection may be self-limiting or progress to fulminant hepatitis. Although 80% of hepatitis C virus patients may remain asymptomatic and about 15-35% of the infected cases resolve spontaneously in a self-limiting manner within 6 months of infection without treatment, while the remaining 65-85% progresses to chronic irreversible liver damage, which brings to the limelight, the clinical importance of this infection. 8,9 While 20% of the infected patients may develop liver cirrhosis and fibrosis, 20% also may progress to hepatocellular carcinoma. 8 The risk of cirrhosis of the liver is 15-30% within the age of 20 years. 10 An estimate of 130 to 150 million people worldwide are HCV infected with an infection rate of 3.4 million yearly 11 and Africa has the most prevalence rate of infection; 2.9% compared to the 2.5% global prevalence. 12 In Africa, prevalence ranges from 1.8% in Ghana, 4.3% in Ethiopia to 16.0% in Rwanda. 13-15 In Nigeria, the infection rate is seen to be heterogeneous; increased in some states and localities while declining in others. A 0.3% was reported in Lagos, 4.7-5.0% in Ilorin, 5.3-6.6% in Enugu, 11% in Ibadan and 20% in Benin. 16-20 There are 7 HCV genotypes and 67 subtypes identified so far. 21 Studies have confirmed that the predominant HCV genotypes in Nigeria are genotype 1, 2, 4 and 5. 21-23 Genotype 3 is found in South Asia, genotype 4 in central Africa and the Middle East, genotype 5 and 6 are predominant in South-East Asia and the Northern region of South Africa. 24 Adolescents who exhibit rapid physical and emotional development as well as sexual maturation are more exposed to HCV infection and other sexually transmitted disease due to their increasing sexual adventure, risky behavioral practice, amongst others. 25 HCV infection still poses a challenge of public health concern in developing and underdeveloped countries where poor standard of living, poor awareness campaign and ignorance, as well as superstitious beliefs, have beclouded the people’s perception of the disease. In addition to these challenges, is the unavailability of vaccines due to the mutability of the virus genome.