Hepatitis C infection in risk groups

Abstract

Hepatitis C infection is important global health problem with wide spectrum of health, social and economic consequences. The goal of this research was to estimate prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in risk groups, and to determine association hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and risk factors. Research included 4627 subjects divided in two groups. Test group included 2627 subjects divided in 4 subgroups with risk for HCV infection: those who received blood transfusion without screening on HCV (it was introduced in 1995) (700); intravenous drug users (60); patients on hemodialysis (168) and health care workers (1699). Control group included 2000 healthy volunteer blood donors. In all subjects anti-HCV antibodies were tested with third generation ELISA test. Positive serum samples were tested for presence of HCVRNA, using reaction of reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. In all anti-HCV positive subjects further epidemiological and clinical workup was performed. Prevalence of HCV infection in risk groups was: 4.6% in subjects who have received blood transfusions without HCV blood screening, 35% in intravenous drug users, 58.9% in patients on chronic dialysis, and 0.4% in health care workers. In control group prevalence was low (0.2%). In the group of 158 anti-HCV positive subjects, 73.4% had HCVRNA. The largest number of subjects with HCV infection was in the age group of 30-49 years (45.8%). This study showed that multiple blood transfusions before introducing the blood screening for HCV, longer duration of intravenous drug abuse, longer duration of hemodialysis treatment, larger number of accidental injuries in health care workers are independent and statistically significant risk factors for those groups examined. Results of this study confirm that general screening for HCV infection is recommended in risk groups for HCV infection in order to identify to prevent and to treat it.

Prevalence of Chronic Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C among First Time Blood Donors in Northeast Bosnia and Herzegovina: An Estimate of Prevalence in General Population

“…These values reflect a region with a lower prevalence of hepatitis C and are similar to those in reports on surrounding countries. In support of our estimate, a study calculated a 0.4% prevalence of anti-HCV among 1699 health care workers [5], a well-established risk group with a minor to modest risk for hepatitis C [16]. …”

“…A report from 2006 used a smaller sample of 2000 blood donors as a control group and reported an anti-HCV prevalence of 0.2% [5]. We calculated a prevalence of 0.267%, similar the 0.26% rate reported in Croatia [11].…”

“…Epidemiological reports on hepatitis C prevalence in B&H have dealt primarily with either special or high-risk groups [4][5]. A report from 2006 used a smaller sample of 2000 blood donors as a control group and reported an anti-HCV prevalence of 0.2% [5].…”

“…Data on the epidemiology of hepatitis B and C in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) are sparse. There are some reports of the prevalence of hepatitis B among smaller groups of first time blood donors and the prevalence of hepatitis C in special groups of patients [4][5][6][7]. However, there are no accurate data regarding the numbers of those who have been exposed and chronically infected in the general population in B&H.…”

The State of Hepatitis B and C in the Mediterranean and Balkan Countries: Report from a Summit Conference

“…Transmission of HBV and HCV in healthcare settings due to poor infection control practices has been observed in many Balkan and Mediterranean countries. High HCV prevalence has been reported in a number of countries, including Bosnia and Egypt, leading to the implementation of dedicated dialysis facilities for chronic HCV patients in the latter country . In Italy, according to the estimate of the population attributable risks, dental therapy accounted for 12.9% of HBV infections, and nosocomial exposure for 11.4% of HBV and 48.7% of HCV infections between 2007 and 2011 (Italy's Integrated Epidemiological System for the Surveillance of Acute Viral Hepatitis [SEIEVA], 2007–2011, unpublished data).…”