Impact of Varicella-Zoster
Virus/ Hepatitis C Virus (VZV/HCV) co-infection on liver enzymes activity
Ibrahim Mohamed Nabil, Shakil Muhammad, Mazhari Bi Bi Zainab, Alfarouk Omar and
Ikram-Ullah Muhammad
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 17(1); 97-101;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/1701rjbt97101; (2022)
Abstract
Varicella is a common, benign and self-limiting disease. It is related to hepatitis
and malfunction/failure of the liver. This study was designed to assess Varicella-Zoster
Virus/ Hepatitis C Virus (VZV/HCV) co-infection on the levels of liver enzymes.
A total of 88 blood samples regardless of Hepatitis C Virus positivity were collected.
The age and sex of the sample population are included in the demographic statistics.
HCV-RNA was detected by RTnested PCR and VZV-DNA was identified by nested PCR in
all the sera. Approximately 27 patients were positive for HCV and VZV co-infection.
Liver function was also tested on the basis of parameters such as Aspartate Amino
Transferase (AST) and Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT).
Infection with HCV and VZV is more prevalent in the 34-55 age group tested by nested-PCR
and liver function tests based on Alt and AST levels using qualitative test kits.
The ALT and AST levels were high 102 and 99.6 IU/L in co-infected cases as compared
to 35 and 32 IU/L in normal cases without HCV, HIV and VZV. The study results indicate
the impact of VZV in the abnormality of liver function. This study concludes that
coinfection with HCV/VZV can be seen as a highrisk category for the development
of liver disease where long-term outcomes of the disease should be controlled.
