Diversity of hepatitis C virus genotypes among intravenous heroin users in Taiwan

IntroductionLimited information is available about genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in intravenous heroin users in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to examine the concordance of the detection of antibody to HCV and HCV-RNA and to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes in male intravenous heroin users.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. The study population included 274 intravenous heroin drug users newly sentenced in a male prison in central Taiwan from November 2004 to February 2005, whose antibodies to HCV were positive, and antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus were negative. The mean age was 33.9 years (standard deviation, 7.8). The molecular diagnosis used to identify HCV-RNA was PCR.ResultsAmong 274 subjects, 214 subjects were found to contain HCV-RNA. Positive predictive value of HCV infection using antibody to HCV as an indicator was 78.1%. Among 214 subjects, HCV genotype 2a was the most predominant (58.9%, n = 126), followed by 1a (17.3%, n = 37), 1b (14.5%, n = 31), 2b (8.9%, n = 19) and 1a + 2b (0.4%, n = 1). Age-specific analysis also showed genotype 2a was the most prominent genotype among the 4 age groups, with the highest prevalence in groups aged 20 to 29 years and 30 to 39 years (53.3% and 67.6%, respectively).ConclusionsThe concordance of antibody to HCV and HCV-RNA is remarkable in selected high-risk groups. HCV genotype 2a is the most prevalent in male intravenous heroin users in central Taiwan, especially in aged 20 to 29 years and aged 30 to 39 years.     

上海地区不同人群非输血所致丙型肝炎病毒感染的调查

目的了解上海地区不同人群非输血所致丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）感染状况。方法调查对象共1645人,其中吸毒者99人,医务人员411人,一般人群826人,义务献血人员309人;抽取血标本,并分离出血清测抗-HCV（EIA法）。结果人群HCV感染率吸毒者为38．4％（38／99）,医务人员4．62％（19／411）,一般人群0．98％（8／826）,献血人员0．96％（3／309）。静脉吸毒者HCV感染率60．8％（31／51）,明显高于非静脉吸毒者的14．6％（7／48）（P〈0．01）;静脉吸毒者中,共用针头者为86．7％,高于非共用针头者的50％（P〈0．01）。齿科工作者HCV感染率为10．4％（11／106）,明显高于其他医务人员的2．62％（8／305）。齿科工作者分属4个单位,其感染率分别为3．3％（1／30）、0（0／17）、14．6％（7／48）、27．3％（3／11）。一般人群成人HCV感染率1．57％（7／446）,高于少儿的0．27％（1／370）。结论上海地区非输血所致HCV感染以吸毒人群最高,其次为齿科医务人员,一般人群和献血员很低。     

Hepatitis C virus infection in intravenous drug users: prevalence and risk factors

We investigated the relation of drug use and sexual behaviour to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among 80 intravenous drug users (IVDU) attending a methadone treatment program in Rome. Antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) were found in 54/80 of IVDU (67.5%). Presence of anti-HCV was associated with duration of intravenous drug use and frequency of needle sharing (p less than 0.003 and p = 0.02, respectively, by chi-square for trend). No association was found between sexual behaviour and anti-HCV prevalence.     

HBV/HCV co‐infection is associated with a high level of HCV spontaneous clearance among drug users and blood donors in China

Understanding the biology of spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection could lead to improved strategies to prevent the sequelae associated with chronic HCV infection. Chronic infections with hepatitis virus are very common in China, but the factors associated with spontaneous clearance of HCV have not been adequately studied. We evaluated the spontaneous clearance of HCV among 1918 drug users and 1526 HCV‐seropositive blood donors in Guangzhou, China. Among participants who were co‐infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), 41.38% of drug users and 39.47% of blood donors had cleared their HCV infection without antiviral therapy compared to 9.41% of drug users and 16.73% of blood donors who were mono‐infected with a single virus (P<.01). The proportion of subjects who had cleared their HCV infection was significantly greater in the co‐infected subjects whose serum HBV DNA was greater than 2000IU/mL than those with lower levels. A multiple logistic regression analysis found female gender, IL28B rs8099917 TT genotype, HBV co‐infection and blood donors (vs drug users) associated with increased spontaneous clearance of HCV infection. Although acute HCV infections are common in China, the incidence of chronic HCV may be reduced among the high prevalence of chronic HBV and IL28B genotypes associated with spontaneous clearance of HCV in Chinese populations.     

Hepatitis C virus antibody in Poland.

To assess the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Poland, anti-HCV was studied in patients with acute and chronic non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis, in healthy adults, and in subjects at risk. Anti-HCV prevalence was 2% in 152 blood donors, 78% in 95 parenteral drug addicts, 21% in 112 alcoholics, and 86% in 42 patients with chronic NANB hepatitis. Among 34 prospectively followed patients with acute NANB hepatitis 17 (50%) developed anti-HCV. It seems that HCV infection is responsible for the majority of NANB hepatitis in Poland and is common in parenteral drug abusers and alcoholics.     

Markedly high seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in comparison to hepatitis C virus and human T lymphotropic virus type-1 infections in selected Solomon Islands populations.

To determine the prevalences of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human T lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infections in residents of the Solomon Islands, we surveyed 1,610 serum samples from 1,113 outpatients and 497 healthy volunteer blood donors at the Central Hospital in Honiara, the Solomon Islands. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by radioimmunoassay (RIA) (n = 315, 19.6%) was significantly different from that of antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) by a second-generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (n = 4, 0.2%) and antibody to HTLV-1 (anti-HTLV-1) by an ELISA with Western blot analysis to verify the positivity (n = 49, 3.0%) (P < 0.0001, respectively). There were no significant differences in the prevalences of these markers between outpatients and blood donors. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) was detected by RIA in 130 (41.3%) of 315 HBsAg-positive samples. The distribution of HBsAg subtypes by EIA was 190 adr (60.3%), 111 ayw (35.2%), and 14 (0.4%) other subtypes. The HBeAg prevalence decreased with age in all groups for each subtype. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of HBeAg among HBsAg subtypes. We conclude that HBV infection is highly endemic in selected Solomon Islands populations, and that the high prevalence of HBeAg may be associated with the spread of HBV infection there.     

Hepatitis C among risk groups for HIV and hepatitis B.

In order to obtain more information on sexual transmission of hepatitis C (HCV) we compared different high-risk groups for HIV and hepatitis B to see if they were seropositive for HCV. A high seroprevalence (38/81) of hepatitis C (HCV) was found among intravenous drug users. Nursing staff (n = 35) and patients of a dialysis unit (n = 57) had a low prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies (0% and 5%, respectively). Serology laboratory technicians also had a very low prevalence (0% out of 29). Among prostitutes (n = 114), healthy homosexual men (n = 132) and HIV-infected homosexual men (n = 31), we found a remarkably low seroprevalence of HCV (3.5%, 0.8% and 0.0% respectively). These data support the view that parenteral exposure to the virus is the most important way of acquiring the infection and that neither heterosexual nor homosexual promiscuity are associated with a high risk of transmission of hepatitis C.     

High prevalence of HGV coinfection with HBV or HCV among northeastern Thai blood donors

Hepatitis G viral (HGV) infection among northeastern Thai blood donors was determined by the nested RT-PCR technique. HGV RNA was amplified by the degenerated helicase primers for a product of the expected size of 83 base pairs were used in this study. Serum samples from 322 of three different categories of northeastern Thai blood donors were included in this study. There were 104 HBsAg and Anti-HCV seronegative blood donors (control group), 100 samples of HBs Ag seropositive blood donors (HBV infected group) and 118 serum samples from anti-HCV seropositive blood donors (HCV infected group). The results demonstrated that HGV RNA was not detected in the control group but was found in 10 individuals (10%) in the HBV infected group and 13 (11%) in the anti-HCV positive blood donors. The prevalences of HGV in both seropositive groups were significantly different from the control group (p = 0.001). HGV co-infection is highly prevalent among northeastern Thai blood donors who are infected with HBV or HCV. The results also reveal that blood donors seronegative for HCV and HBV are a low risk group for HGV infection.     

Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus among blood donors in Lebanon, 1997-2000.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in many individuals is asymptomatic and the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among blood donors in Lebanon is scarce. This study aimed to address the prevalence of anti-HCV in 8700 blood donors, the data obtained was compared to other world regions. Between 1997 and 2000, 8700 blood donors were screened for the presence of anti-HCV in their sera. Initially reactive specimens were retested in duplicate, and repeatedly positive samples were subsequently retested by a third generation microplate enzyme immunoassay. Of the 8700 blood donors screened, 51 were confirmed positive for anti-HCV, giving a prevalence rate of 0.6%. While there was no difference in anti-HCV prevalence in relation to age or gender, higher rates were seen in non-Lebanese compared to Lebanese subjects (6.17% vs. 0.48%, P < 0.001). None of the anti-HCV positive individuals had an identifiable risk factor for contracting HCV (intravenous drug user, prior transfusion, etc.), and their transaminases were comparable to anti-HCV-negative donors, suggesting that HCV-positive donors were asymptomatic. These results demonstrate low prevalence of anti-HCV among Lebanese blood donors, which was comparable to those established for Western countries.     

Epidemiology of hepatitis C in Greece

Hepatitis C is a global health issue and constitutes a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. In this article, a comprehensive literature search was conducted for the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Greece, since data on the HCV prevalence, viremia and genotypes are important for developing strategies to manage or eliminate HCV infection. In addition, the pattern of HCV infection was analyzed according to the geographic region and the risk factors. These differences reflect not only distinct epidemiological characteristics among populations, but also differences on the strategy of data acquisition and quantification. Although there are not enough data, the estimation of the current prevalence of Hepatitis C in Greece ranges from 0.5% to 2%. The most important risk factors for HCV infection include blood product transfusion, intravenous drug use, chronic hemodialysis, organ transplantation, occupational exposure, sexual transmission, and vertical transmission. Because of lack of vaccine or effective post-exposure prophylaxis for HCV, the main focus of prevention is to recognize and control these risk factors. HCV infection in Greece is closely associated with the development of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. As far as the genotype distribution is concerned genotype 1 estimated to be 45%-47% and it constitutes the prevalent genotype in Greece, followed by genotype 3.     

Hepatitis C virus infection in patients with acute hepatitis B

The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was studied using a second-generation ELISA test in 121 patients with self-limiting acute hepatitis B, including 63 intravenous drug addicts (IVDA). Within the first month after the onset of illness, 47.1% of the patients were anti-HCV positive, this figure reaching 52.1% six months later. The prevalence in the sixth month was significantly higher in the IVDA (93.6%) than in the non-IVDA (6.9%) (p < 0.00001). Among the IVDA, anti-HCV was more frequent in those with (100%) than in those without hepatitis delta virus (HDV) coinfection (84.6%) (p = 0.004). Of the 63 anti-HCV positive patients, 36 (57.1%) continued to exhibit abnormal transaminase levels for more than six months, while this was not observed in anti-HCV negative patients. These results show a high prevalence of infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) in IVDA with acute B hepatitis. As a rule, infection by HCV occurred prior to the hepatitis B infection, although occasionally simultaneous infections were observed. HCV appears to be the agent responsible for chronic liver disease in patients with acute B hepatitis who become HBsAg negative.     

Current status and clinical course of hepatitis C virus in Korea

The mortality due to chronic liver disease, including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ranks as one of the highest in Korea. The prevalence rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in the general Korean population are approximately 1 and 5%, respectively. Blood transfusion was the strongest risk factor for the transmission of HCV infection. Therefore, the evaluation of risk factors for HCV infection including blood transfusion, intravenous drug user, hemophilia, and hemodialysis, is important. The most prevalent HCV genotype is 1b followed by 2a. The annual incidence of HCC among HCV-related liver cirrhosis has been estimated at 5%, and approximately 12% of HCC is attributable to HCV and 68% to HBV in Korea. HCV infection is more closely associated with HCC in elderly patients than HBV-related HCC. Even though the prevalence of anti-HCV in Korea has been reduced and the risk of HCV transmission through blood transfusion has markedly decreased, public-health programs to prevent de novo infections should be developed. This review describes the HCV prevalence and risk factors among the general population, and the distribution of HCV genotypes as well as the clinical course of HCV in Korea.     

Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Levels in Relation to Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections Among Drug Abusers in an Area Hyperendemic for Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are the major agents responsible for hepatitis in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to assess the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in relation to HBV and HCV infection among drug abusers. This survey included 769 male drug abusers aged 14–59 years, from the Kaohsiung Narcotic Abstention Institute and Kaohsiung Prision. The prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity was 21.5%, and anti-HCV seropositivity was 27.2%, respectively. Drug abusers with HBsAg or anti-HCV had higher serum AST and ALT levels than those without HBsAg and anti-HCV. The prevalence of raised ALT and AST (45 IU/liter) in the HCV-positive group was more significant than in the negative group, while that of the HBsAg-positive group did not reach statistical significance. Among the HCV-positive group, ALT levels are more closely associated with HCV infection than AST levels. Our results indicated that HCV infection plays an important role in the etiology of raised ALT activity among drug abusers, while HBV infection plays a minor role. ALT screening still remains a simple and valuable method in the early recognition of HCV infection.     

Prevalence of hepatitis viruses in an anti-human immunodeficiency virus-positive population from Argentina. A multicentre study

The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of infections with hepatotrophic viruses in an anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive population from Buenos Aires and to compare it among the main risk groups for HIV infection. Four hundred and eighty-four consecutive patients attending the HIV outpatients clinic were studied: 359 men and 125 women, median age 29 years (range 16-67 years); 35.5% had presented acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining conditions. Two hundred and thirty-four patients were intravenous drug users (IVDU), 99 had homosexual and 142 heterosexual preference, seven had received blood transfusions and two had no risk factors. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb) and to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) were investigated in all patients; antibodies to HBsAg (HBsAb) and IgG antibodies to hepatitis D virus (anti-HDV) in all HBcAb-positive patients; hepatitis B e antigen and antibodies to HBeAg (HBeAg) in all HBsAg-positive patients; IgG antibodies to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) in the first 307 patients; and IgG antibodies to hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV) in the first 91 patients. As control groups, contemporary voluntary blood donors were studied for prevalence of HAV, HBV, HCV and HEV. The percentages of HBcAb, HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HEV (58.5, 14.5, 58.5 and 6.6%, respectively) were significantly higher in anti-HIV-positive patients than in control groups (3.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.8%, respectively) (P = 0.000). The prevalence of HBcAb was significantly higher in IVDU (72.6%) than in heterosexuals (33.8%) (P = 0.0001) and in homosexuals (59.6%) (P = 0.0189). The percentage of HBsAg was significantly higher in IVDU (19.2%) than in heterosexuals (6.3%) (P = 0.0004). Anti-HCV was significantly higher in IVDU (92.3%) than in homosexuals (14.1%) and in heterosexuals (33.1%) (P = 0.000 in both cases). The prevalence of anti-HDV was relatively low (1.9%). There was no difference in the percentage of anti-HAV between HIV-positive and negative subjects. In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in HIV-positive patients from our area. Drug use is the main route of transmission, but prevalence of HCV in patients with, probably, sexually acquired HIV infection is also higher than in the control group. The increased prevalence of HEV infection in HIV-positive individuals is another provocative finding that warrants further study.     

Heterosexual transmission of hepatitis C virus and the possible role of coexistent human immunodeficiency virus infection in the index case: A multicentre study of 423 pairings

Abstract. Objectives. To define the role that sexual transmission plays in the spread of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and to examine the influence of coexistent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on this mode of transmission. Design. A multicentre, seroprevalence study of anti-HCV performed in the stable heterosexual partners (SHP) of index cases reactive for anti-HCV. Setting. Department of Internal Medicine and Section of Gastroenterology of three University Hospitals, Spain. Subjects. A total of 423 stable heterosexual partners of index cases reactive for anti-HCV. This included a group of 142 intravenous drug users (IVDU), 120 of whom were coinfected with HIV. Additionally, 2886 first-time voluntary blood donors selected at random were included to compare the prevalence of anti-HCV. Main outcome measures. Serum samples were screened for anti-HCV by a commercially available, second-generation enzyme-linked immunoassay. Tests repeatedly reactive for anti-HCV were analysed by a four-antigen, recombinant immunoblot assay. Anti-HIV was tested by enzyme immunoassay and Western blot was used for confirmation of positive cases. Results. The prevalence of anti-HCV, was 7.1% in SHP and 1.2% in random donors (P < 0.001). This prevalence was higher in SHP of index cases co-infected with HIV in comparison with that shown in the SHP of index cases only reactive for the anti-HCV (9.1 vs. 6.3%; P = 0.2), particularly when a younger and more homogeneous group such as the SHP of IVDU index cases was considered alone (9.2 vs. 0%; P = 0.1). However, the SHP of IVDU index cases coinfected with HIV were almost three times more likely to be infected with HIV than HCV (24.2 vs. 9.2%). Conclusions. These data suggest that HCV infection may be sexually transmitted but with low efficiency, and this could be increased in the presence of coexistent HIV infection in the index case.     

Hepatitis C virus in Pakistan： A systematic review of prevalence, genotypes and risk factors

In Pakistan more than 10 million people are living with Hepatitis C virus (HCV), with high morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the prevalence,genotypes and factors associated with HCV infection in the Pakistani population. A literature search was performed by using the keywords; HCV prevalence, genotypes and risk factors in a Pakistani population,in Pubmed, PakMediNet and Google scholar. Ninetyone different studies dating from 1994 to May 2009 were included in this study, and weighted mean and standard error of each population group was calculated.Percentage prevalence of HCV was 4.95% ± 0.53% in the general adult population, 1.72% ± 0.24% in the pediatric population and 3.64% ± 0.31% in a young population applying for recruitment, whereas a very high 57% ± 17.7% prevalence was observed in injecting drug users and 48.67% ± 1.75% in a multitransfused population. Most prevalent genotype of HCV was 3a. HCV prevalence was moderate in the general population but very high in injecting drug users and multi-transfused populations. This data suggests that the major contributing factors towards increased HCV prevalence include unchecked blood transfusions and reuse of injection syringes. Awareness programs are required to decrease the future burden of HCV in the Pakistani population.     

Hepatitis C virus infection among HIV-1 infected individuals from northern Mexico

Aims: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, risk factors and HCV genotypes in 140 HIV-1 infected individuals from northern Mexico was determined. Methods: Hepatitis C infection was confirmed by the detection of anti-HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA in sera, and genotyping was performed by the InnoLiPA-HCV genotype assay. Results: Seventeen (12.1%) out of 140 HIV-infected individuals were found to be HCV-positive. Coinfected individuals were more likely to be male (87%). The most frequent genotype was 1a (41%), followed by 1b (29.4%), 2a/c (17.6%), 2b (5.9%) and 3 (5.9%). Serum transaminase concentrations (AST and ALT) were higher in coinfected patients. Among the risk factors for coinfection: sexual transmission was the most frequently observed (men who have sex with men (MSM); 64.7% and bisexual behavior; 64.7%) followed by intravenous drug users (IVDU) (53%). There was no association of the HCV genotypes with the age and risk factors for HIV-1 and HCV infection observed in the studied patients. Conclusion: The results suggest that the prevalence of HIV-1/HCV coinfection in Mexico is lower than in other American countries.     

Hepatitis C virus antibodies among different groups at risk and patients with suspected non-A,non-B hepatitis

Summary 4000 sera were tested for antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) by means of an ELISA using the C100-3 antigen. 38.9% of patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis following blood transfusion (n=108) had HCV antibodies. Among patients with chronic liver damage of unknown origin (n=316) 30.4% were anti-HCV positive, and in 2,506 patients with transitional or chronic elevation of transaminases 14.8% showed HCV antibodies. Haemophiliacs (n=26) with 65.4% anti-HCV positives and drug addicts (n=46) with 56.5% anti-HCV positives had the highest prevalence among high risk groups. Addicts dying from drug abuse (n=216) and HIV 1 positives (n=127) were anti-HCV positive in 37.5% and 26.0%, respectively. Patients on haemodialysis (n=331) had antibodies against HCV in 12.4%. Health care workers (n=217) appear to be at a comparably low risk with only 2.8% anti-HCV positives. Up to now we could not find a single case of intrafamilial spread of HCV in 46 examined cases. We suggest that HCV infectivity of contaminated body fluids and blood is lower than that of hepatitis B virus or human immunodeficiency virus type 1 carriers. In suspected non-A, non-B hepatitis negative test results should be confirmed in a second sample because it may take three to six months after infection before HCV antibodies occur. However, about 10% of chronic HCV infections are not detectable with the presently available test. This may change when new tests become available using HCV specific antigens other than C100-3.

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Antikörper gegen das Hepatitis-C-Virus in verschiedenen Risikogruppen sowie bei Patienten mit Verdacht auf Hepatitis Non-A, Non-B

Zusammenfassung Wir untersuchten bislang 4000 Seren auf das Vorliegen von Antikörpern gegen das Hepatitis-C-Virus (HCV). In unserer Studie hatten Patienten mit einer Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis nach Bluttransfusion (n=108) in 38,9% HCV-Antikörper. Patienten mit chronischen Lebererkrankungen (n=316) zeigten diese Antikörper in 30,4%, und Patienten mit vorübergehenden oder anhaltenden Transaminasenerhöhungen (n=2506) waren in 14,8% anti-HCV positiv. Unter den Risikogruppen mit parenteralem Blutkontakt waren Hämophiliepatienten (n=26) mit 65,4% am häufigsten HCV-Antikörper-positiv, gefolgt von Drogenabhängigen (n=46; 56,5%) und Drogentoten (n=216; 37,5%). HIV-infizierte Patienten (n=127) zeigten HCV-Antikörper in 26,0%, und Hämodialysepatienten (n=331) waren in 12,4% positiv. Die Gefährdung für medizinisches Personal ist offenbar relativ gering: nur 2,8% der untersuchten 217 Mitarbeiter mit parenteralem Infektionsrisiko hatten HCV-Antikörper. Bisher konnten wir noch in keinem Fall eine HCV- Übertragung durch Nadelstich-oder Skalpellverletzung belegen; auch familiäre Kontakte führten bei den von uns untersuchten 46 Angehörigen HCV-positiver Patienten bislang nicht zur Infektion. Die Infektiösität HCV-positiver Patienten ist möglicherweise geringer als die von HBV- oder HIV-infizierten Patienten. Wenn der Verdacht auf eine Hepatitis Non-A, Non-B vorliegt, so sollte ein negatives Testergebnis jedoch unbedingt in einer weiteren Serumprobe bestätigt werden, da es nach erfolgter Infektion drei bis sechs Monate dauern kann, bis die Serokonversion auftritt. Ein Teil der HCV- Infektionen kann mit dem derzeit zur Verfügung stehenden Test nicht erkannt werden, bei der chronischen HCV-Infektion sind dies ca. 10% der Fälle. Vielleicht wird deren Nachweis erst dann gelingen, wenn es weitere Teste gibt, die Antikörper gegen andere antigene Epitope des Hepatitis-C-Virus nachweisen können.

     

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B,hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus among blood donors,Phitsanulok Regional Blood Center,Thailand

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are important blood-borne infections in many countries including Thailand. For epidemiological surveillance and controlling these infections, a cross-sectional group of 2,167 blood donors were screened for HBsAg, antibodies to HCV and HIV by enzyme immunoassay methods. The results revealed that the prevalence of HBsAg positive among studied blood donors was 4.61%, anti-HCV was 2.90% and anti-HIV was 0.69%. When the prevalence was classified by selected socio-demographic variables, it was found that variables including age, gender, marital status and occupation were significant for HBsAg positive rate (p=0.0068, p=0.0019, p=0.0048 and p=0.0017, respectively). For anti-HCV prevalence, studied variables including educational level, occupation and domicile were significant (p<0.0001, p=0.0027, and p<0.0001, respectively), while only educational level was a significant variable for anti-HIV prevalence (p=0.0021). These findings suggest that we should present integrated information and educational programs for preventing and controlling HBV, HCV and HIV transmission among this target group.