Hematological and biochemical effects of Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica, and Schistosoma infection among Hepatitis C virus patients from Menoufia Province, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is highly distributed in Egypt. Moreover, parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, or amebiasis are frequent in Egypt. Dual infections of HCV and each of these parasitic diseases are possible and associated with bad clinical consequences. The present study was done to monitor the clinical, biochemical, and hematological changes in Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica, and/or Schistosoma co-infection in the HCV-infected patients from Menoufia Province, Egypt. Methods: One hundred and nine blood samples, HCV monoinfected patients and co-infected with T. gondii, E. histolytica, and/or Schistosoma, were monitored and subjected to clinical chemistry and hematological examinations Results: Liver cirrhosis in patients with concomitant multiple parasites during chronic HCV infections showed a high percentage compared to HCV mono-infected patients. Moreover, significant increases in the level of alpha-fetoprotein, aspartate transaminase, prothrombin time, and the relative monocyte count were demonstrated in patients with concomitant multiple parasites during chronic HCV infections compared to HCV mono-infected patients. Changes in the levels of platelets and relative lymphocytes/neutrophils count were detected during dual or multiple infections. Conclusions: Schistosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, or amebiasis had unpropitious effects on HCV-infected patients and it is recommended to screen these parasitic diseases among HCV patients to reduce the HCV clinical outcome.

Keywords

• amebiasis
• biochemical
• egypt
• hematological
• hepatitis c virus
• schistosomiasis
• toxoplasmosis