IJCBS, 1(2012):14-20 Okonko et al., 2012 1 Detection of HCV antibody among sexually active patients in Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria Okonko IO 1* , Soleye FA 2 , Nwanze JC 3 and Onoh CC 3 1 Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB 5323 Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria; 2 Department of Health Services, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; 3 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria Abstract This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-HCV antibodies among sexually active patients at UNAAB, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Samples of blood serum were collected from 132 subjects, stored and processed using standard laboratory procedures. DiaSpot® HCV-Ab Test strips (manufactured by DiaSpot Diagnostics, USA), Global® HCV-Ab Kit (manufactured by Global Diagnostics, USA) and IND® HCV-Ab kits (manufactured by IND R Diagnostica, USA) were used in a stepwise order for the detection of anti-HCV antibodies in the blood serum samples. The study showed that only 2(1.5%) of the subjects were positive for anti-HCV antibodies. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected only in males 2(3.1%). Anti-HCV antibodies were only detected in ages 15 to 29 years of age 2(1.7%) and none in ages 30 years and above. The study has further confirms the presence of anti-HCV antibodies in sexually active group (ages 15 to 29 years of age). HCV risk factors like age and gender appeared to be significantly associated with HCV antibody seropositivity (P<0.05), thus emphasizing the need for routine screening of blood for HCV in order to prevent their transmission among general population. The need for intensive health education to encourage abstinence among sexually active group is also emphasized. Key words: Anti-HCV antibodies, HCV, Sexually active group, Seroprevalence, Nigeria Full length article Received: 03-10-2011 Revised: 04-11-2011 Accepted: 04-11-2011 Available online: 15-01-2012 *Corresponding Author, e-mail: mac2finney@yahoo.com, iheanyi.okonko@uniport.edu.ng, Tel.: +234 803 538 0891 1. Introduction Viral hepatitis has been described as major public health, occurring endemically, in all areas of the world [1]. While viral hepatitis may be a mild sub-clinical infection with nonspecific symptoms to an overwhelming multisystem fulminant disease [2], chronic carrier state may occur resulting in chronic viral hepatitis following either overt or inapparent acute infection [3]. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is becoming a significant causative factor in the aetiology of chronic liver disease worldwide [4]. However, information on the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus infection in chronic liver disease in Nigeria is sparse [4] especially from the Abeokuta, Ogun State, South Western region. Individuals with chronic infection of HCV have a high risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [5]. Serological markers for HCV are screened in blood banks and antennal clinics routinely. The evaluation of the data of the prevalence of the HCV antibodies among patients gives an idea for the epidemiology of these infections in the community [5]. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) have similar routes of transmission namely through blood and blood products, intravenous drug abuse, unsafe injections and sexual activity, shared needle, other body fluids such as semen, virginal fluid and breast milk; intravenous drug abuse, from mother to child, needle stick injury, ear piercing, tattooing and other tribal ceremonies (scarification), barbers razors etc. [6-8]. HCV infections are known to occur in the general population, and due to their mode of transmission through blood and blood products, it has made the provision of safe blood difficult, and the screening of blood absolutely necessary [9]. Infection may also spread by formites, sharing of tooth brush, abrasion, and sexual contact (hetero- or homosexual) with infected persons [10]. Detection of anti-bodies to HCV (anti- HCV) is used to detect HCV infection [8]. HCV has been shown to have a worldwide distribution, occurring among persons of all ages, genders, races and regions of the world [11-12]. As regards seroepidemiological study of HCV, detection of antibodies specific for the virus in human blood is the usual method of laboratory diagnosis. This is made possible by the enzyme immunoassay screening of human blood for anti-HCV antibodies introduced during the early 1990s; this in turn has reduced transfusion of blood and blood products as a major mode of acquiring HCV [13-15]. International Journal of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences Journal Home page: www.iscientific.org/Journal.html © International Scientific Organization 14