Silent killer HCV and its early detection can stop its propagation: a case study

Though regular blood transfusion improves the overall survival of patients with β-thalassemia which is one of the most common genetic diseases in the world, carries a definite risk of infection with blood-borne viruses. World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there is about 3% beta thalassemia carrier and more than two thousand thalassemic children are born every year in Bangladesh. Master Akib of age 15 years was the known case of Beta Thalassemia taking blood from his 3rd Birth Day from Mymensingh Combined Military Hospital, Bangladesh. Day care centre of Transfusion Medicine Department of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital started HBV, HCV, HIV screening of Thalassemic patient from 1st July, 2012. After screening of his blood, we found his blood contains HCV which is 3-4 times repeated positive with three other companies' reagent (rapid immuno-chromatographic assay) and result is confirmed. His treatment started and continues for 24 weeks and after 24 weeks, to monitor treatment response, his blood again test for Serum HCV-RNA which was not detected. Now Master Akib free from HCV infection and HCV diagnose accidentally because it remain silent for long time. We recommend that in public sector hospitals and health care units ELISA should be preferred for anti-HCV detection over ICT.