Impact of Varicella-Zoster Virus/ Hepatitis C Virus (VZV/HCV) co-infection on liver enzymes activity

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 RT-nested 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 high-risk category for the development of liver disease where long-term outcomes of the disease should be controlled.