Serological and Molecular Detection of Hepatitis C Virus among Blood Donors and Clinical Visitors in Amran Governorate, Yemen

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne virus that causes acute or chronic hepatitis, depending on its severity, and its development leads to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to detect HCV using the molecular and serological techniques among blood donors and clinical visitors in Amran governorate, Yemen. Blood samples were collected and analyzed using an immune-chromatographic technique (ICT). Positive cases for HCV were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the final positive cases for HCV were confirmed by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). The data demonstrated that HCV infections were detected in all human samples [800 (100%)] study participants, as ICT detection among blood donors [500 (62.5%)] was 10 (2%) and among clinical visitors [300 (37.5%)] was 8 (2.7%). However, ELISA detection yielded 12 (2.4%) (100%) positive samples by ELISA, which were validated by nPCR, as 21 (95.5%) had positive amplification results of HCV-RNA. This finding indicated that the incidence rate of HCV infection in Amran governorate is high, so it is necessary to apply a more reliable molecular test, such as PCR, in all laboratories, health centers, and blood banks to decrease the public's and patients transmission of HCV infection, as well as implement appropriate strategies to protect our local populations from this serious viral infection.