ContextThe hepatitis C virus (HCV) is classified into seven genotypes and more than 100 subtypes. The treatment regimen, duration and efficacy of HCV therapy may vary according to the HCV genotype. Therefore, the HCV genotype should be determined prior to antiviral therapy. The objective of the current study was to review systematically all studies reporting the distribution of HCV genotypes in the countries that make up the Middle East.Evidence AcquisitionArticles were identified by searching electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed and Google scholar, with timeline limits (articles published between 1995 and 2016). We carried out a systematic search regarding the distribution of HCV genotypes in Middle Eastern countries.ResultsA total of 579 studies were identified by the electronic search. Of these, a total of 187 were identified as eligible papers including 60,319 patients who were meta-analyzed for pooled distribution of HCV genotypes. In Turkey, Israel, Cyprus, and Iran, genotype 1 was the most prevalent HCV genotype with rates of 82% (95% CI, 82%-83%), 68% (95% CI, 67%-69%), 68% (95% CI, 59%-77%), and 55% (95% CI, 54%-55%), respectively. In Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, HCV genotype 4 was the most common genotype with rates of 86% (95% CI, 85%-88%), 60% (95% CI, 56%-64%), 56% (95% CI, 54%-55%), and 57% (95% CI, 54%-61%), respectively. On the basis of adjusted data, HCV genotype 4 was the most prevalent genotype in the Middle East region, with a rate of 74.7% (95% CI, 73.4%-76%), followed by genotype 1 at 15.1% (95% CI, 14.1%-16%).ConclusionsOur results showed that HCV genotype 4 is the most prevalent genotype in the Middle East region. However, HCV genotype 1 is the most prevalent among non-Arab countries in the region including Turkey, Iran, Cyprus, and Israel.

Context: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been the main cause of post transfusion hepatitis. Long-term hepatitis can ultimately result in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Viral hepatitis, especially HCV infection, is a major health concern in the Middle East. The current study carried out a systematic search concerning HCV seroprevalence among blood donors in Middle Eastern countries. Evidence Acquisition: Articles were identified through searching databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. We reviewed systematically all studies reporting HCV seroprevalence among blood donors in Middle Eastern countries. Results: A total of 5662 relevant records were identified by the electronic search, of which a total of 47 studies were identified as eligible papers that were meta-analyzed for the pooled seroprevalence of HCV among blood donors. Overall, HCV seroprevalence among blood donors in Middle Eastern countries was estimated 0.88% (95%CI = 0.79% -0.97%). The highest pooled HCV seroprevalence rate was related to Egypt (5.76% [95%CI = 3.30% -8.22%]), Libya (1.56% [95%CI = 0.99% -2.13%]), and Yemen (1.09% [95%CI = 0.69% -1.50%]) while the lowest pooled seroprevalence rate was in Iran and Israel with the rates of 0.14% (95%CI = 0.12% -0.17%) and 0.16% (95%CI = 0.06% -0.25%), respectively. Results of annual HCV seroprevalence suggest that there is a decrease in seroprevalence rate of HCV over time among blood donors in Egypt, Iran, Oman, Lebanon, Libya, and Saudi Arabia. Conclusions: Our results showed that the trend of HCV seroprevalence over time among Middle Eastern blood donors was decreasing. It suggests that recent safety measures implemented in Middle Eastern countries have been effective.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women around the world, with several risk factors contributing to its progression. The role of infectious agents such as viruses in the progression of this cancer is relatively well-known, as a result of various studies in different geographical regions that reported the prevalence of cytomegalovirus in breast cancer. Objective: In this systematic review, we tried to examine the prevalence of cytomegalovirus in breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of three databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scolar up to January 21, 2021. Results: Out of 584 articles, 29 articles including 3158 samples were finally reviewed, of which 16 articles used PCR methods, 8 articles used serology method and 13 articles used other methods such as immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The prevalence of the virus was higher in Asian and African countries such as Iraq and Egypt than other European and South American countries. Among these, the highest prevalence of the virus in different samples of patients with breast cancer was related to Iraq. Conclusion: The results of our study showed the higher prevalence of the virus in patients with breast cancer rather than normal subjects and reveal the role of the virus in the development of breast cancer.