The Impact of Human Parvovirus B19 Co-Infection on Liver Function of HCV Infected Patients

Abstract

Background: Human Parvovirus B19 is most known for causing disease in the pediatric population but can also affect adults. Human co-infection with Parvovirus B19 could deteriorate the prognosis of patient with chronic illness. Objectives: This paper attempts to determine the prevalence of Parvovirus B19 in HCV infected patients and to evaluate the impact of Parvovirus B19 on liver enzymes activity of Hepatitis C patients. Study Design: The study population includes 74 chronic HCV (patient group) and 49 cases without viral hepatitis (control group). Nucleic acid of Parvovirus B19 was detected in Serum samples by nested polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) method. Results: Parvovirus B19-DNA infection was detected in 28.0% of chronic HCV patients. Parvovirus B19-HCV co-infection caused increasing in Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity than in B19-negative HCV patients. Conclusion: We conclude that Parvovirus B19 acted synergistically with HCV by increasing the levels alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST).