Antibiogram and plasmid profiling of resistance bacteria isolated from the blood of Hepatitis C Virus positive individuals

Abstract

Hepatitis C is an inflammatory process in the liver which is characterized by diffuse hepatocellular necrosis. In addition to viral, bacterial and fungal agents, hepatitis can also be caused by drugs, chemicals and toxins.1 Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that primarily affects the liver.2 During the initial infection people often show mild or no symptoms. Occasionally a fever, dark urine, abdominal pain, and yellow tinged skin occur. The virus persists in the liver in about 75% to 85% of those initially infected. Early chronic infection typically has no symptoms. Over many years however, it often leads to liver disease and occasionally cirrhosis.3 In some cases, those with cirrhosis will develop complications such as liver failure, liver cancer, or esophageal and gastric varices.2 HCV is spread primarily by blood-to-blood contact associated with intravenous drug use, poorly sterilized medical equipment, needle stick injuries in healthcare, and transfusions.3,4 With blood screening for HCV, the risk from a transfusion is less than one per two million.3 It can also be spread from an infected mother to her baby during birth.3 It is not spread by superficial contact.5 It is one of five known hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E.6 Diagnosis is by blood test to check for either antibodies to the virus or its RNA. Test is recommended for all people who are at risk.3