SERUM FERRITIN AND HCV INFECTION IN NIGERIAN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY LIVER CELL CARCINOMA

ABSTRACT

A prospective study aimed at determining the relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and serum ferritin in Nigerian patients with primary liver cell carcinoma (PLCC) was carried out at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan; Nigeria. The study involved 42 adult Nigerians made up of 14 healthy subjects as controls and 14 patients each with PLCC and liver cirrhosis (LC) who consented to participate in the study. The subjects were controlled for age and sex. The diagnosis of the diseases was made from relevant clinical features, ultrasonography and histology of liver biopsy specimen. Blood specimen collected from the subjects were analysed for ferritin by radio-immuno assay using Amersham Kits, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection using HBsAg detection and anti-HCV by ELISA (Sanofi Pasteur. France). The study protocol was approved by the Joint UIIUCH Ethical Review Board. Data &shed was analysed with the SSPS software at a level of significance of p700ng/ml was detected only in 50% and 14% of the patients with PLCC and LC respectively with specificity of 93% as well as negative (78%) and positive (79%) predictive values. Serum anti-HCV and HBsAg were present in 14% and 71% of patients with PLCC respectively (p