High Viral Load is a Risk Factor for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical and Laboratory Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study

Md Samiul Bashir^1*, Md. Abu Sayem ², Shib Shankar Das³, Nishita Das⁴, Afrin Sultana⁵, Md. Moshiur Rahman⁶, Md Shamsuzzaman⁷, Pravas Paul⁸, Moazzam Hossian⁹, Md. Khaja Mohi Uddin ¹⁰

High viral load in HCC patients correlates with worsened liver function, systemic complications, and increased mortality, underscoring the need for early intervention.

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of cancer and has the highest death rate globally. One of the most important in terms of disease severity and disease progression is viral load. This paper studies the relationship between viral replication and biochemical markers of liver damage in HCC patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in 155 HCC patients. Information on viral load, liver function tests, complete blood count, and indicators of circulatory system functions were retrieved from anonymized hospital records. Correlation studies and t-test studies were carried out to determine associations of viral load with some clinical markers. Results: The 62% of patients had a viral load greater than 6 log IU/mL neuraminidase, with the average being 7.2 log IU/mL. Increased viral load was strongly linked to elevated ALT (r = 0.48), AST (r = 0.42), and bilirubin (r = 0.39), while associating with decreased albumin (r = -0.46) and platelet count (r = -0.40). Patients with high viral loads showed markedly worse liver function profiles compared to those with lower viral levels (p < 0.05). Extremophiles exhibiting outliers with viral loads exceeding 8.5 log IU/mL displayed severe ramifications throughout the body. Conclusion: In HCC patients, increased viral load is among the leading causes of hepatocellular damage, systemic injury, and multi-organ dysfunction. These results indicate the need for routine testing and early antiviral treatments aimed at controlling replication to slow the progression of the condition and improve the prognosis for patients.

Keywords: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), High Viral Load, Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection, Liver Function Tests (LFTs), Antiviral Therapy

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