TITLE:
Extra-Hepatic Biological Manifestations in Hepatitis C Virus Antibody Carriers in Cotonou and Parakou (Benin) in 2019-2020
AUTHORS:
Aboudou Raïmi Kpossou, Cedric Egnonwa Bigot, Khadidjatou Saké Alassan, Rémi Zoundjihekpon, Vincent Zoundjiekpon, Rodolph Koffi Vignon, Comlan N’déhougbèa Martin Sokpon, Paul Kpossou, Nicolas Kodjoh, Jean Séhonou, André Bigot
KEYWORDS:
Viral Hepatitis C, Cryoglobulinaemia, Thrombocytopaenia, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Gastroenterology,
Vol.16 No.2,
February
24,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Viral hepatitis C, essentially a liver disease, can be accompanied by clinical and biological extra-hepatic manifestations. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of biological extrahepatic manifestations in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and the factors associated with them. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. It took place between August 2019 and January 2020. Data collection was prospective. All patients with a positive anti-HCV antibody in the gastroenterology departments of CNHU-HKM and CHUD-B/A who had given their consent were included. Extrahepatic biological manifestations, including cryoglobulinemia, were investigated in each patient. Results: A total of 135 patients with chronic hepatitis C were included, 114 at CNHU-HKM and 21 at CHUD-B/A. The sex ratio was 0.73. The most common extrahepatic biological manifestations were cryoglobulinemia (23/90 i.e. 35.6%), thrombocytopenia (10/56 i.e. 17.9%) and renal failure (26/58 i.e. 44.8%). There was a statistically significant association between cryoglobulinaemia and peripheral neuropathy (p Conclusion: Biological extra-hepatic manifestations in chronic hepatitis C are frequent. This raises the question of their possible impact on patients’ quality of life, and the value of offering hepatitis C virus screening to patients presenting with such manifestations.