Helicobacter pylori and HCV are the most prevalent pathogens worldwide associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori in HCV infected patients and compares changes in liver function tests (LFTs) of both HCV mono-infected and HCV/H. pylori co-infected patients. Eighty-seven participants participated in this study who were first screened for HCV using GeneXpert technology followed by H. pylori antigen stool test. A complete blood count (CBC) analysis and LFTs were performed to determine the impact of HCV and H. pylori on liver enzymes. Our findings suggested that 45% of patients had HCV mono-infection, whereas 55% were co-infected with both HCV and H. pylori. Furthermore, we also observed that ALT, AST, and ALP levels were significantly elevated in HCV/H. pylori co-infected patients as compared to HCV mono-infected patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the prevalence of H. pylori in HCV infected subjects of Lahori population

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of chronic liver complications globally and suppressor of cytokine signaling‐1 (SOCS‐1) is a gene triggered by cytokines that activates transcription of the JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway and negatively regulates Janus kinase‐signal transducer. Several studies have shown that the expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3 genes negatively regulate the response of HCV infection to interferon therapy and interferon‐free regimens. It has been reported that liver function enzymes elevate in CHC patients but the association of SOCS1 gene expression with LFTs haven't been studied. This study recruited 114 CHC patients and 112 normal healthy participants and analyzed the correlation of SOCS1 gene expression and liver function enzymes (LFEs). Herein, we observed that the expression of SOCS1 gene had a positive correlation with LFEs.