Exploring the possibility of arthropod transmission of HCV

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer occurring in up to 3% of the world's population. Parenteral exposure to HCV is the major mode of transmission of infection. Once established, infection will persist in up to 85% of individuals with only a minority of patients clearing viremia. Egypt has possibly the highest HCV prevalence in the world where 10-20% of the general population are infected with HCV. Endemic HCV appears to be concentrated in the tropics and sub-tropics where there are higher biting rates from insects. The question as to whether a bridge vector transmission is possible, via arthropods, both between humans and/or from an animal reservoir to humans is explored. Mechanical transmission, as opposed to biological transmission, is considered. Mechanical transmission can be an efficient way of transmitting an infection, as effective as biological transmission. Probability of transmission can increase as to the immediate circumstances and conditions at the time. Several factors may enhance mechanical transmission, including high levels of microbes in the vector, frequent biting, the close proximity, and contact between vectors and recipients as well as high density of insects. HCV has been isolated from bodies or heads of mosquitoes collected from the houses of HCV-infected individuals. The possibility of enzootic cycles of HCV tangential transmission via bridging vectors, such as, arthropods needs to be further investigated and possible animal reservoirs, including domestic rural epizootic cycles for HCV infection, requires further research with particular initial emphasis on equine infections. J. Med. Virol. 89:187-194, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Genome Wide Mapping of Peptidases in Rhodnius prolixus: Identification of Protease Gene Duplications, Horizontally Transferred Proteases and Analysis of Peptidase A1 Structures, with Considerations on Their Role in the Evolution of Hematophagy in Triatominae

“…It is unclear how genes might be transferred to the insect genome from vertebrate viruses, but infection during blood feeding on a contaminated vertebrate host seems to be the most probable route. Recently, the putative role of arthropods in hepatitis virus transmission has been considered (Houldsworth, 2017 ). Hepatitis virus has been found to be stable and viable for at least 1 month in the gut of bed bugs ( Cymex lectularius and C. hemipterus ) and R. prolixus , with the virus being detected in feces and transmitted trans stadially (Blow et al, 2001 ; Silverman et al, 2001 ).…”

“…Besides that, Hepatitis virus has been detected in mosquitoes in endemic areas, and it has been found that Hepatitis virus efficiently replicates in cultures of mosquito cells (Fallecker et al, 2017 ). The possibility of Hepatitis transmission by arthopods has been hindered by the ignorance of natural reservoirs of the virus or documentation of prevalence of the virus in putative vectors (Houldsworth, 2017 ). In any scenario, the presence of active hepacivirin genes in the R prolixus genome suggests that the interaction between Hepatitis-like virus and insects might be evolutionary old.…”

Chronic hepatitis B and C as stigma: Is the problem relevant for Russian society?

“…HCV-инфекция не передается контактно-бытовым путем. При совместном приеме пищи и укусах насекомых передача парентеральных гепатитов В и С не доказана [10][11][12]. В ходе исследования у большинства респондентов из обеих групп выявлено негативное отношение к больным ХГВ и ХГС, которое проявлялось стремлением исключить бытовые контакты и отказе проживать в одной комнате с больным ХГВ/ХГC и не желании совместного пребывания своего ребенка/брата в одной группе детского сада с больным ХГВ/ХГC ребенком.…”

The renin angiotensin system in liver and lung: impact and therapeutic potential in organ fibrosis

“…12 Egypt has possibly the highest HCV prevalence in the world where 10%-20% of the general population is infected with HCV. 13 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), liver cirrhosis is the 4 th cause of death in Egypt with hepatitis being the 9 th cause. 14 Direct healthcare costs of HCV-related disease exceed $700 million annually and consume approximately 4.0% of the total health expenditure in Egypt, exemplifying the magnitude of the HCV epidemic in Egypt.…”