Abstract
High prevalence rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) were recently reported among Egyptian blood donors. To confirm these observations and estimate the magnitude of HCV infection in this country, we determined the prevalence of antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) in samples collected in 1992 from seven different populations of children and adults living in Egypt. Anti-HCV was found in 12.1% of rural primary schoolchildren, 18.1% of residents of a rural village, 22.1% of army recruits, 16.4% of children with hepatosplenomegaly, 54.9% of hospitalized, multitransfused children, 46.2% of adults on hemodialysis, and 47.2% of adults with chronic liver disease or hepatoma. Age-related prevalence of anti-HCV in a random sample of 270 inhabitants of a rural village increased progressively from zero in those 5-10 years of age to 41% in adults greater than the age of 50. Although the increased prevalence of anti-HCV among children and adults with parenteral exposures and chronic liver disease was expected, the prevalence of anti-HCV among persons representing the general population of Egypt was strikingly high. These data demonstrate the magnitude of HCV infection and its importance in chronic liver disease in Egypt. Future studies are needed to determine the routes of transmission of HCV in this country.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
