Hepatitis C viruses are the hepatotropic blood borne viruses of significant global and public health problem especially in developing countries like India. HCV are important causes of Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is transmitted by parenteral, sexual, and perinatal modes. Blood transfusion, transplantation from infectious donors and injecting drug use are the commonest modes of transmission. It causes liver related mortality and morbidity. Worldwide over 350 million have chronic HCV infection. The aim of the study is to determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis C virus and providing genotyping of the viruses at Thanjavur medical college and hospital. This study aimed at early diagnosis, disease prevention and treatment of HCV. Materials and methods: Observational Study with blood samples collected from 194 patients who registered at OPDs and admitted at IPDs with clinical history of jaundice, abdominal pain, for the period from February 2020 to January 2021, at Thanjavur Medical College and Hospital, Thanjavur. All the samples were screened for anti-HCV antibodies by using ELISA kit. Seropositive samples were further processed for HCV RNA identification by Real time PCR. Positive samples by Real-time PCR were further processed for genotyping analysis. Out of 194 samples, five samples were positive for anti-HCV antibodies by third generation ELISA. Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus was 2.6%. Serum samples found positive by ELISA were further processed for HCV RNA detection by Real time PCR. Out of five positive samples, 3 samples were positive for HCV RNA by Real time PCR. Serum sample found positive for HCV RNA were further processed for molecular characterization for genotyping. Real time PCR was done for genotyping. Genotyping for Hepatitis C was genotype 1 &3genotype 1 was found in sample one and genotype 3 was found in third and fourth sample. It shows that higher numbers of positive cases were among the age group above 20-30 years (4.44%), and above 60 years (13.33%). Smallest number of positive cases were among the age above 40 years (2.85%). This study estimates the seroprevalence of Hepatitis C for both the sexes in patients attending Thanjavur medical college and hospital. The seroprevalence of Hepatitis C was 2.6%. Seroprevalence study estimates the magnitude and dynamics of disease transmission. Moreover, knowing about the genotypes in the community helps in the development of future vaccine. Further studies of genotype distribution will help in the development, adaptation and prevention strategies. Early diagnosis prevents the disease progression and further complications.

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