PREVENTION, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF VIRAL HEPATITIS C

Resume. Viral hepatitis C (HCV) is a significant global public health problem characterized by a predominantly chronic course, high risk of liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The hepatitis C virus is an RNA-containing virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. Due to its high genetic variability and ability to evade the host immune response, HCV infection often remains asymptomatic for many years, leading to late diagnosis and severe complications. The main routes of transmission include parenteral exposure, unsafe medical procedures, blood transfusions, and injection drug use. This article reviews the epidemiological characteristics, transmission mechanisms, preventive measures, and modern laboratory diagnostic methods of viral hepatitis C. Special attention is given to serological and molecular diagnostic techniques, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which play a crucial role in early detection, monitoring, and prevention of disease progression. Keywords: Viral hepatitis C, epidemiology, prevention, ELISA, PCR, chronic hepatitis, laboratory diagnosis.

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