Global epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection: New estimates of age-specific antibody to HCV seroprevalence

Abstract

In efforts to inform public health decision makers, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors 2010 (GBD2010) Study aims to estimate the burden of disease using available parameters. This study was conducted to collect and analyze available prevalence data to be used for estimating the hepatitis C virus (HCV) burden of disease. In this systematic review, antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) seroprevalence data from 232 articles were pooled to estimate age-specific seroprevalence curves in 1990 and 2005, and to produce age-standardized prevalence estimates for each of 21 GBD regions using a model-based meta-analysis. This review finds that globally the prevalence and number of people with anti-HCV has increased from 2.3% (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 2.1%-2.5%) to 2.8% (95% UI: 2.6%-3.1%) and >122 million to >185 million between 1990 and 2005. Central and East Asia and North Africa/Middle East are estimated to have high prevalence (>3.5%); South and Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Andean, Central, and Southern Latin America, Caribbean, Oceania, Australasia, and Central, Eastern, and Western Europe have moderate prevalence (1.5%-3.5%); whereas Asia Pacific, Tropical Latin America, and North America have low prevalence (<1.5%). Conclusion : The high prevalence of global HCV infection necessitates renewed efforts in primary prevention, including vaccine development, as well as new approaches to secondary and tertiary prevention to reduce the burden of chronic liver disease and to improve survival for those who already have evidence of liver disease.

Broadly neutralizing antibodies with few somatic mutations and hepatitis C virus clearance

“…Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects approximately 185 million people worldwide and is a major cause of liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (1). With the recent development of potent, oral interferon-free therapies, treatment of HCV infection has improved significantly.…”

Regional and global summary estimates of antibody to hepatitis C virus prevalence in detainee populations: Seeing the forest and the trees?

“…1,2 Using systematic review and mathematical modeling, Hanifiah et al recently estimated that the global prevalence of antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) increased from 2.3% (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 2.1%-2.5%) to 2.8% (95% UI: 2.6%-3.1%) from 1990 to 2005, for an increase in the number of anti-HCV-positive persons from 122 to 184 million. 3 Although this estimate is higher than some previously published studies, the researchers rightly suggest that their estimate may nonetheless be "conservative" or may underestimate the global prevalence of anti-HCV. Their systematic review specifically excluded studies of high-risk populations (e.g., injection drug users, paid blood donors, homeless persons, and detained or incarcerated persons), and their review included national population-based studies (e.g., U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; NHANES), which systematically excluded institutionalized persons, including those detained in jails or prisons, who are at increased HCV risk.…”

Non-invasive serum markers and transient elastography in staging advanced chronic hepatitis C

“…Over the last 15 years the hepatitis C seroprevalence has increased from 2.3 to 2.8% or more than 185 million infections worldwide (2). In Lithuania anti-HCV rates are high, with 2.78% prevalence (3).…”