Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
10:28

A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks

Published on: June 26, 2020

Study onPrevalence of Parasitic Infections Among Hepatitis C Virus Patients in Egypt

Garas Maryam Samwel1,2, Taha Hoda A1, Aboueldahab Marwa M1

  • 1Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Archives of Razi Institute
|June 2, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infections with parasites like Schistosoma, Fasciola, and Toxoplasma significantly alter liver and kidney biomarkers. These viral-parasitic co-infections, especially with high viral loads, impact patient health.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects millions globally, with frequent co-infections observed with parasites such as Schistosoma mansoni, Fasciola sp., and Toxoplasma gondii.
  • These parasitic co-infections can exacerbate liver disease progression in HCV patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of parasitic co-infections in HCV-positive Egyptian individuals.
  • To analyze the biochemical changes in liver and kidney function biomarkers associated with these co-infections.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of 337 blood samples for HCV (PCR) and parasitic infections (ELISA).
  • Monitoring liver function via enzymes (GOT, GPT, GGT, ALK) and proteins (TP, Alb), and kidney function via creatinine, uric acid, urea, Na, and K.
  • Categorization of patients by gender and age groups (<21, 21-50, >50 years).

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of Schistosoma infection was 41.8% (120/287 HCV cases), Fasciola hepatica was 34.5% (99/287), and T. gondii was 30.3% (87/287).
  • Mixed infections were common, with Schistosoma co-infecting with Fasciola, Toxoplasma, or both.
  • Specific parasitic infections showed varying prevalence across age groups and genders, with Schistosoma mono-infection highest in males aged 21-50.

Conclusions:

  • Parasitic co-infections significantly impact liver enzyme and kidney function parameters in HCV patients.
  • The type and species of parasite, as well as viral load, influence the severity of biochemical alterations.
  • Serological parameters are notably affected in cases of viral/parasitic co-infections, particularly with high viral loads.
Abstract

Keywords:
Hepatitis CLiver and kidney functionsFasciolaSchistosomaToxoplasma

More Related Videos

Comparative Analysis of Automatic Fecal Analyzer versus Direct Wet Smear Microscopy for Detecting Parasitic Infections in Stool Samples04:57

Comparative Analysis of Automatic Fecal Analyzer versus Direct Wet Smear Microscopy for Detecting Parasitic Infections in Stool Samples

Published on: April 25, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
Malaria01:29

Malaria

Malaria pathogenesis in humans reflects a delicate interplay between parasite biology and host response. Clinical illness reflects a host’s immune response to the parasite’s asexual replication cycle, which is often asymptomatic in individuals with partial immunity. From the parasite's perspective, transmission between mosquito and human with minimal host pathology is evolutionarily advantageous. Among the six Plasmodium species infecting humans, P. falciparum and P. vivax dominate in global...
Toxoplasmosis01:28

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...