The Significance of Aspartate Transaminase and Alanine Transaminase Levels in Diagnosis and Management of Hepatitis Virus-related Liver Diseases with Hepatitis C Patients in Thi-Qar province, Iraq

Abstract

The global spread of hepatitis C infection is concerning. Hepatitis C is a liver-damaging viral infection. It is brought on by the hepatitis C virus and, if untreated, can result in cirrhosis, liver damage, and even liver cancer. Contact with contaminated blood, such as sharing needles or getting a blood transfusion, is typically how the virus is transmitted. The infection can be treated with antiviral drugs. Liver cells are the primary location for the enzymes AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase). A blood test measures two liver enzymes, AST and ALT, to assess the condition of your liver. A liver issue is generally indicated by elevated AST and ALT levels. Healthcare professionals can order additional tests and make an educated guess as to the underlying cause of the liver problem based on which enzyme is elevated or if both are elevated. This could aid in the diagnosis of conditions ranging from liver cancer and liver failure to cirrhosis and hepatitis. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the association between hepatitis C patients and the liver enzymes aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase.  Patients serums of 40  HCV positive was taken out and 40 healthy HCV negative as controlling groups  and examined for ALT and AST analytical measurement. Cross-sectional study was directed from December 2022 to March 2023 in  Thi-Qar government, Iraq. Participants age ranged between  ≥15 to ≤ 75 years , AST have increased  levels in HCV patients as compared to ALT as compared with controlling group . study gender-based shows an  increased  level of both the enzymes ALT and AST in females as compared to males .age-based study concluded ALT and AST  have a  non-significant level in age groups  > 49 Years in  HCV patients. Study gender-based shows an increased level of both the enzymes ALT and AST in females as compared to males. Moreover, gender-based study concluded ALT and AST  have a  non-significant level in age groups  > 49 Years in  HCV patients . AST have increased levels in HCV patients as compared to ALT indicating AST to be more specific biomarker of HCV infection and liver damage. The research advised against coming into close touch with blood. Never share anything that could have other people's blood on it, even if it seems clean, to lessen the possibility of blood-to-blood contact. The virus may be present even in a dried patch of blood that is too tiny to be seen.