Prevalence Of anti-HCV Positivity Research Articles

Awareness of chronic hepatitis C in the Western Black Sea Region.

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) can be cured with oral antivirals. Awareness of CHC is a substantial barrier to the World Health Organization's goal of eradicating HCV by 2030. This study aimed at evaluating CHC awareness among different departments in a Western Black Sea Region University Hospital. Anti-HCV and HCV RNA test results of all patients admitted to our center for whatever reason and who underwent anti-HCV screening between January 2017 and January 2022 were analyzed. CHC awareness has been defined as the presence of HCV RNA testing for anti-HCV positives. Of the 63,963 patients who underwent anti-HCV testing, anti-HCV positivity was observed in 2%. HCV RNA was tested in 647 (48.8%) patients who had tested positive for anti-HCV. The HCV RNA was positive in 212 (32.7%) patients tested. Only 66 (29.7%) of those with positive HCV RNA test results had received antiviral therapy. The distribution of HCV RNA testing rates for patients with positive anti-HCV by different departments were as follows: 33% (n=78/232) in medical inpatient clinics, 78% (n=539/685) in medical outpatient clinics, 7% (n=16/223) in surgical inpatient clinics, 7% (n=14/183) in surgical outpatient clinics, and 0% in the emergency department. The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in our region was 2%. Less than half of the patients tested for anti-HCV had HCV RNA testing, and less than a third of the HCV RNA-positive patients received antiviral therapy. To meet the WHO's HCV eradication target by 2030, it is necessary to increase physicians' awareness of CHC.

Microelimination of Chronic Hepatitis C by Universal Screening Plus Direct-Acting Antivirals for Incarcerated Persons in Taiwan.

BackgroundIncarcerated persons are a special population with higher hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence and should be prioritized for microelimination. In this study, we investigate the seroprevalence and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in custodial settings.MethodsIncarcerated persons in Yunlin Prison were recruited to receive anti-HCV antibody screening. Patients with positive HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) were treated with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB) in our special chronic hepatitis C (CHC) clinic in prison. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response at week 12 off therapy (SVR12).ResultsA total of 1402 incarcerated persons were invited to anti-HCV screening and 824 (58.7%) accepted. The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity was 33.5% (276 of 824), and the viremic rate (detectable HCV RNA) was 69.2% (191 of 276). According to fibrosis index based on 4 factors, patients with F3 stage were 6 (3.1%), but none met the criteria of F4 stage. However, 6 (3.1%) had liver cirrhosis with splenomegaly, confirmed by findings of ultrasonography. The median log10 HCV RNA level at baseline was 6.235 (2.394–7.403). Genotype (GT) 6 was predominant (39.3%), followed by GT 1a (22.0%) and 1b (14.1%). Mixed GT HCV infection accounted for 3.6% of total infections. In total, 165 patients received GLE/PIB therapy. The overall SVR12 rates were 100%.ConclusionsDirect-acting antiviral therapy is highly effective and safe for incarcerated patients in Taiwan. Our special prison-based CHC clinic, linking universal screening to medical care, can serve as a model for microelimination of HCV in custodial settings.

Physician awareness of hepatitis C virus among different departments.

Aim of the studyTo determine the anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) positivity in our region and to evaluate physician awareness of HCV among different inpatient and outpatient departments in a tertiary reference center in Turkey.Material and methodsThis retrospective study was conducted between January 2017 and January 2020. The patients tested for anti-HCV for any reason were enrolled from the data of all patients admitted to our hospital, which is the reference center of the region.ResultsA total of 121,492 anti-HCV assays were screened from the computerized database. Total number of patients with a positive anti-HCV result was 891 (0.81%). HCV RNA was positive in 147 (16.5%) of 891 patients and negative in 389 (43.7%) patients. Unfortunately HCV RNA was not tested in 355 (39.8%) patients. The percentages of the untested patients regarding the departments were 65.38% (n = 85/130) in medical inpatient clinics, 61.02% (n = 72/118) in surgical clinics, 16.67% (n = 88/528) medical outpatient departments, 96.8% (n = 91/94) in surgical outpatient departments, and 90.5% (n = 19/21) in the emergency department.ConclusionsThe prevalence of anti-HCV positivity was found to be 0.81% and was stable in Turkey. However, the level of physician awareness for HCV was unsatisfactory, and differed between departments. Because HCV is commonly asymptomatic, positive patients should not be overlooked and adequate treatment should be administered. Awareness of physicians should be increased to prevent delays in the diagnosis of hepatitis C and to reduce the number of untreated patients.

The epidemiology of HCV infection in patients with advanced CKD/ESRD: A global perspective

Liver disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is most commonly due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and contributes to increased rates of mortality. Among the pre-dialysis population, the estimated prevalence of anti-HCV positivity is based on few, limited-size studies. In hemodialysis patients however, HCV remains very prevalent despite large declines in seropositivity rates in dialysis facilities in developed countries after preventive measures were adopted in the 1990s. Recent surveys indicate that the HCV seropositivity prevalence ranges from 1.4%-28.3%, and 4.7%-41.9%, among maintenance dialysis patients in developed and developing countries respectively. Although the full extent of dialysis unit-associated HCV transmission is unknown, outbreaks continue to occur, regardless of health system infrastucture. According to US Centers for Disease Control data, over 50% of health care-associated HCVoutbreaks reported from 2008 to 2015 occurred within dialysis facilities. Strict adherence to infection control procedures and routine serologic screening plays a pivotal role in preventing transmission of HCV within hemodialysis units, even in the setting of low HCV prevalence. With the advent of directly acting antivirals, cure of HCV-infected patients on maintenance hemodialysis will help reduce transmission within units and further lower the frequency of HCV infection.

Hepatitis-C Virus Infection and Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids among Nurses and Paramedical Personnel at the Alexandria University Hospitals, Egypt

BackgroundWorldwide, prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in health care workers (HCWs) ranges from 0% to 9.7%. The current study was conducted to calculate prevalence of HCV infection, frequency and characteristics of blood and body fluid (BBF) exposure among HCW at the Alexandria University Hospitals. MethodsHospital-based cross-sectional approach was adopted. At the Hospitals, 62.2% of available nurses and paramedical personnel voluntarily participated (n=499), and were interviewed, screened for HCV antibodies. Quantitative estimation of HCV-RNA was done to seropositive cases. ResultsPrevalence of anti-HCV antibodies and HCV infection was 8.6%, and 4.4% respectively. The frequency of BBF exposures was 66.7%. Blood/blood products were mainly involved (92.1%). More than half of exposed HCWs reported not wearing personal protective devices. Anatomical site of exposure was mainly right hand palm (36.2%). Regarding needle-stick injuries, two thirds of injured HCWs were the original user of sharp item which was contaminated in 79.7% of injuries. In 70.2% of injuries, disposable syringes were involved and occurred during item disposal. About 61% of injuries were superficial. ConclusionPrevalence of HCV infection among HCWs is similar to that among general population in the country. Nurses and housekeepers are frequently exposed to BBF. Adherence to infection control measures according to the National Guidelines is crucial to reduce HCV transmission.

The epidemiological pattern of chronic liver diseases in a community undergoing voluntary screening for hepatitis B and C

Background Vallecamonica-Sebino is a community in Northern Italy (99,776 inhabitants) with one of the highest mortality rates for primary liver cancer and cirrhosis in Italy, and voluntary screening for HCV and HBV is widespread. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic liver diseases and their aetiology in the area. Methods We used the following sources of data, linked at an individual level: (1) hospital discharge data; (2) local Viral Hepatitis Services; (3) tests for anti-HCV antibodies and HBsAg from local laboratories; (4) Local Health Authority registry of chronic liver disease patients; (5) drug prescriptions for HBV and HCV treatment; (6) archives of Alcohol Units. Results 3.5% of the residents had chronic liver disease, mainly chronic hepatitis (61.6%), followed by cirrhosis (14.0%) and alcoholic liver disease (11.2%). HCV was the main cause of chronic liver disease in females (46.3%) and males (29.8%), followed by alcohol abuse in males (22.9%) and HBV (10.9% males and 9.2% females). Prevalence of anti-HCV positivity was 3.2%, and increased with age to 8.8% in subjects aged 65 years and over. Conclusion This study shows that an epidemiologic pattern of the prevalence of chronic liver diseases and their aetiology can be obtained using routinely collected data.

Prevalence of and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among blood donors in Chengdu, China

The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) positivity among blood donors from Chengdu, China, and to determine risk factors associated with infection. In this study, data were collected from volunteer blood donors between July 2006 and June 2007. Anti-HCV test was performed in 119,518 donors. To identify risk factors associated with HCV infections a case-control study was conducted in 305 unique HCV-seropositive blood donors and 610 seronegative donors matched for age and sex. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression. The population attributable risk (PAR) to risk factor was estimated according to the Bruzzi's formula. The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity was 0.53% (95% CI: 0.489-0.572%). The final multivariate model included the following independent HCV risk factors: razor sharing (OR=29.16; 95% CI: 12.89-66.00), blood transfusion (OR=20.84; 95% CI: 3.76-115.45), acupuncture (OR=8.01; 95% CI: 3.16-20.30), a history of hospitalization, injections >10 years earlier, a family history of hepatitis B, dental treatment, and ear piercing. The PAR of risk factors are 68.4%, 6.3%, 14.1%, 23.1%, 29.5%, 29.3%, 38.9%, and 27.8%, respectively, and the total PAR is 98.3%. Infection with HCV among blood donors in Chengdu is associated with iatrogenic risk factors and beauty treatment-related risk. Razor sharing is an important risk factor for HCV infection. These results indicate that infection control measures in healthcare settings may reduce the burden of HCV infection and there is a need for development of effective educational programs to improve HCV knowledge among beauty culture professionals, barber cosmetologists, and the general public to avoid risk behaviors.

Antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on conservative therapy: prevalence, risk factors and relationship to liver disease

There are no data regarding HCV prevalence in CRF patients not requiring dialysis. In order to assess prevalence and risk factors for HCV infection in CRF patients on conservative therapy we tested, by second-generation assays such as Ortho 2 and 4-RIBA, 221 predialysis CRF patients attending our Department. Forty-four (20%) patients were anti-HCV positive. Anti-HCV positivity was related to blood transfusion requirement, past or current elevations of transaminase levels and, to a lesser degree, CRF duration. The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity among CRF patients who were never transfused was about 10 times higher than that of blood donors. Our data show that predialysis CRF patients should be considered a specific risk group for HCV infection; blood transfusion history and duration of CRF are risk factors for acquisition of HCV infection; HCV infection may play a role in the development of liver disease in this clinical setting.

Hepatitis C virus infection in liver allograft recipients.

The impact of HCV infection after liver transplantation remains a topic of discussion. The aims of this study were to define the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in liver donors; the risk of acquired HCV infection and HCV re-infection according to the pre-transplant anti-HCV status; the prevalence of HCV infection in post-transplant chronic hepatitis. Sera from 42 recipients with follow up longer than 6 months and their donors were tested for anti-HCV. By results at pre-transplant time patients were classified as follows: donor (D) negative and recipient (R) negative (D-/R-) 31; D-/R+ 9; D+/R- 1; D+/R+ 1. Twenty-one patients with sustained hepatic dysfunction underwent liver biopsy. In group D-/R-, 5 patients showed anti-HCV positivity and 3 (9.7%) of them had acquired HCV hepatitis. In group D-/R+, 6 patients showed persistent anti-HCV positivity and 4 (44.4%) of them had recurrent HCV hepatitis; of these 2 died due to liver failure. The 2 patients of groups D+/R- and D+/R+ had normal liver function. Anti-HCV negative hepatitis was found in 2 patients. The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in liver donors appeared low (3.2%). Acquired HCV infection rate was 9.7%. Pre-transplant HCV infection led to a high incidence of recurrence (44.4%). HCV was the major etiological agent in post-transplant chronic hepatitis (77.8%).

High prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus among family members of patients with anti-HCV-positive chronic liver disease.

We have evaluated the intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by studying 1) the 107 household contacts of 43 patients with chronic HCV liver disease, 2) the household contacts of 30 anti-HCV-positive donors without liver disease, and 3) 3108 blood donors. We also studied the possible manner of the intrafamilial transmission. The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in the families of index patients was significantly higher than in donors (14.9% as against to 1.7%). All the family members of the anti-HCV-positive donors were anti-HCV negative. We conclude that the person-to-person transmission of HCV is possible and most probable in contacts of anti-HCV-positive patients with liver disease.

Incidence, prevalence, and clinical course of hepatitis C following liver transplantation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the agent responsible for posttransfusion hepatitis. The incidence, timing, and clinical course of HCV positive hepatitis in liver transplant recipients are unknown. Three hundred and seventeen donor-recipient liver transplant pairs were grouped on the basis of their pretransplant HCV antibody status. The biopsy findings were examined. Four distinct groups were identified on the basis of HCV serology: group I, both were negative; group II, donor was negative and recipient was positive; group III, donor was positive and recipient was negative; group IV, both were positive. The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in recipients was 13.6%. The rate of seroconversion was 9.2%. Histologic hepatitis not ascribable to any specific cause other than non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis occurred in 13.8%. The incidence of histologic chronic active hepatitis was 1.6%, and none progressed to cirrhosis. The concordance rate for a positive anti-HCV serology and NANB hepatitis was 2.8%. Of the 35 patients (group II and IV) with positive anti-HCV serology pretransplant, only 17 were positive posttransplantation. Based on these data it can be concluded that posttransplant NANB hepatitis occurred in 13.8% of liver recipients. Twenty percent of these were anti-HCV positive. Progression to histologic chronic active hepatitis occurs over a period of 1–5 years in 1.6% of cases.

Anti-hepatitis C virus positivity and clinical correlations in hemodialyzed patients.

The present study refers to the evaluation of the prevalence of anti-HCV positivity and its correlation with biochemical markers of chronic liver disease (negative), dialytic age (positive) and blood

HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ALLOGENEIC BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

Antibody to the recently identified hepatitis C virus was investigated in sera of 128 patients treated with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, to determine the prevalence of HCV infection and its role in post-transplant liver complications. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV positivity was 28.6% (38/128 patients). The presence of pretransplant anti-HCV positivity (in 10/35 tested patients) did not seem to predict a more severe liver disease. In fact 8/10 anti-HCV+ and 15/25 anti-HCV- patients had elevated transaminases at BMT, and posttransplant liver failure (due to VOD or subacute hepatitis), and post-BMT rises in transaminases occurred regardless of anti-HCV serology (P = 0.6 and 0.2, respectively). In patients tested for anti-HCV after BMT (n = 128), only two (one anti-HCV+ and one anti-HCV-) experienced VOD; the number of patients in whom liver failure contributed to death was comparable in anti-HCV-positive and anti-HCV- negative patients (P = 0.4). Among 17 patients with documented posttransplant seroconversion (from anti-HCV- to anti-HCV+) the appearance of anti-HCV was concomitant with hepatitis exacerbation in 9 (53%). Histologic changes demonstrated a more severe liver damage in anti-HCV+ patients: a chronic hepatitis was diagnosed in 9/11 anti-HCV+ versus 1/7 anti-HCV- cases. Based on these observations, we conclude that hepatitis C virus has a role in liver disease in such patients, although its evaluation by the anti-HCV test is still of limited accuracy, due to low sensitivity and incomplete specificity.

Low Frequency of Hepatitis C Antibodies among Children from Foreign Countries Adopted in Swedish Families

89 children from 20 countries adopted to Swedish parents between 1984 and 1988 were tested for the presence of hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV). Sera taken soon after their arrival to Sweden were retrospectively analyzed. Two children, an 18-month-old boy from Poland and an 8-month-old girl from India, were anti-HCV positive. The girl from India had lost the anti-HCV antibodies in sera taken at the age of 13 and 14 months. These antibodies were probably passively derived from the mother. The Polish boy had a strong positive reactivity and is likely to have had an HCV infection early in life. Thus, there is a low prevalence of anti-HCV positivity among children from foreign countries adopted in Swedish families.