肿瘤患者肝炎病毒感染分析

目的以2070例肿瘤患者为研究对象,分析其乙型肝炎(HBV)及丙型肝炎(HCV)感染率,研究HBV及HCV感染与恶性肿瘤的关系。方法采用回顾性分析方法,按肿瘤类别、年龄和性别进行分组,对检测结果进行统计分析。结果肝癌的HBV、HCV及混合感染的感染率最高,分别为82.87%、6.71%和4.86%;45～55岁年龄段HBV及HCV单项感染率最高,为22.26%、3.71%;而55～65岁年龄段HBV及HCV混合感染率最高,为2.91%;肝癌及胃癌HBV和HCV单项感染率男性高于女性,而肺癌及结肠癌HBV及HCV单项感染率男性低于女性,肝癌及结肠癌的HBV及HCV混合感染率男性高于女性,肺癌及胃癌则男性低于女性。结论肝癌的HBV、HCV及混合感染的感染率最高;在HBV及HCV单项感染情况下,45～55岁年龄段感染率最高并且男性高于女性。     

Self-reported hepatitis B and C virus infections had low sensitivity among HIV-infected patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of self-reported hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in HIV-infected injection drug users (IDUs) vs. nonIDUs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among HIV-infected IDUs and nonIDUs in the Penn Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Database. Self-reported past HBV, HCV, and serostatus were obtained from the CFAR Database. RESULTS: Among 970 subjects (798 nonIDUs; 172 IDUs), there was no difference in sensitivity of self-reported HBV between nonIDUs (27% [95/346]; 95% CI, 23%-32%) and IDUs (26% [31/117]; 95% CI, 19%-35%; P>0.5), but specificity was greater among nonIDUs (96% [360/374; 95% CI, 94%-98%] vs. 78% [28/36; 95% CI, 61%-90%]; P<0.001). Sensitivity of self-reported HCV was greater among IDUs (78% [101/130; 95% CI, 70%-85%] vs. 62% [47/76; 95% CI, 50%-73%]; P=0.02), but there was no difference in specificity (97% [626/643]; 95% CI, 96%-98% for nonIDUs vs. 93% [26/28]; 95% CI, 76%-99%] for IDUs; P=0.2). CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of self-reported HBV and HCV compared to actual serostatus are not sufficiently high enough to warrant their use to estimate the prevalence and incidence of these infections.     

Association between heroin use, needle sharing and tattoos received in prison with hepatitis B and C positivity among street-recruited injecting drug users in New Mexico, USA.

This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV-1 infections among injecting drug users (IDU) in New Mexico. Serological and behavioural surveys were conducted in conjunction with street-based outreach, education and HIV counselling and testing. High rates of antibody positivity for HCV (82.2%) and HBV (61.1%), and a low rate for HIV (0.5%) were found. In multivariate analyses, both HBV and HCV infection were positively associated with increasing age, increasing years of injection and heroin use. Receipt of a tattoo in prison/jail was associated with HBV (odds ratio = 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.4, 3.8) and HCV (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.6, 7.5) infections. Prevention of bloodborne pathogens among IDUs should focus on young users, early in their drug use experience. Studies examining the relationship between tattooing and HBV and HCV infection are needed as are efforts to promote sterile tattooing, in prisons and elsewhere.     

The role of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral infections in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in Sudan.

In Sudan, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is high and increasing. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are important risk factors of HCC. This study aims to assess the role of HBV and HCV infections in the incidence of HCC in 2 regions of Sudan. A case-control study was conducted in 1996-98 among 150 HCC patients and 205 controls from 2 regions in Sudan. Their demographic characteristics as well as food habits and chronic conditions have been investigated. In this study, 115 cases and 199 controls were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and for HCV antibodies. Strong positive associations were found between HBV or HCV, and HCC with odds ratios (ORs) 9.8 (95% CI 5.1-18.9) and 8.3 (95% CI 2.3-29.9), respectively. After adjustment for age, by logistic regression, the ORs for HBV and HCV were 16.1 (95% CI 7.4-34.9) and 4.5 (95% CI 1.1-18.6), respectively. Further adjustment for region, education level and job type did not appreciably affect the results. Given a prevalence of HBV and HCV of 7.0% and 1.5% among controls, about 57% of all HCC cases can be attributed to these viral infections. Hepatitis infections seem to be important risk factors for HCC in Sudan.     

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Singapore men with sexually transmitted diseases and HIV infection: role of sexual transmission in a city state with intermediate HBV endemicity.

STUDY OBJECTIVES--To describe the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and to determine the role of sexual transmission of HBV infection in Singapore. DESIGN--A cross sectional study of all consecutive men presenting with a new episode of STD at a government outpatient clinic and all men with HIV infection on routine follow up at a government hospital. The prevalence of various HBV markers was compared with that of healthy males aged 15 years and above (controls). SETTING--Singapore, a city state of intermediate HBV endemicity. SUBJECTS--These comprised 497 STD patients, 47 HIV infected patients, and 418 controls. MAIN RESULTS--The overall seroprevalences of HBV infection in STD patients, HIV infected patients, and control subjects were 41.2%, 61.7%, and 33.3%, respectively (p < 0.001). The seroprevalences of hepatitis B surface antigen (6.2%, 8.5%, and 4.5%, respectively) were comparable in the three groups. Using stepwise logistic regression analysis, the adjusted seroprevalences of HBV infection in STD and HIV infected patients were respectively 2.4 times (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7, 3.3) and 3.3 times (95% CI 1.7, 6.3) higher than in controls. HBV infection rates were higher among Chinese (odds ratio (OR), 1.9; 95% CI 1.6, 3.4) than non-Chinese, and among those aged 25-34 years (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.6, 3.4), 35-44 years (OR 3.9; 95% CI 2.5, 5.9), and 45+ years (OR 6.2; 95% CI 3.8, 10.2) than in those aged 15-24 years. Sex related factors significantly associated with higher infection rates, independent of age and ethnic group, were reactive VDRL test (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.2, 4.7), participation in anal intercourse (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.2, 4.3), and having 10 or more lifetime sexual partners (OR 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0, 2.1). CONCLUSION--The importance of sexual transmission of HBV in an area of intermediate HBV endemicity was confirmed. Patients attending STD clinics should be routinely screened for HBV markers and those found to be seronegative should be strongly advised to be immunised against this virus.     

Measures to reduce HIV infection have not been successful to reduce the prevalence of HCV in intravenous drug users

The objective of the study was to determine whether measures taken to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection also lead to a reduction in the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among intravenous drug users (IDU). Antibodies to HCV, HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) were determined in IDU who voluntarily attended AIDS prevention and information centres for the first time between 1990 and 1996. Of the 5473 IDU studied, determination of HCV was done in 3238 cases. The prevalence of antibodies to HCV was 85%. During the first period studied (1990–1992), the prevalence of antibodies to HCV was 84.5%, during the second (1993–1994) 84.1% and during the third (1995–1996) 87%; in the case of HBV the prevalence during the three periods was 74.5, 67.6 and 66.8% respectively, and for HIV it was 41.9, 38.8 and 36.6% respectively (RR: 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65–0.81). Among drug users addicted for less than 2 years, the trend of the prevalence of antibodies to HCV and HBV remained constant, while the prevalence of HIV infection decreased (RR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.42–0.89). Measures to prevent transmission of HIV in drug users do not lead to a reduction in the prevalence of HCV infection. Further study is necessary to obtain a better understanding of how HCV is transmitted among drug users in order to apply measures which are effective in preventing HCV infection.     

A large nosocomial outbreak of hepatitis C and hepatitis B among patients receiving pain remediation treatments.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In August 2002, the Oklahoma State Department of Health received a report of six patients with unexplained hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated in the same pain remediation clinic. We investigated the outbreak's extent and etiology. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of clinic patients, including a serologic survey, interviews of infected patients, and reviews of medical records and staff infection control practices. Patients received outpatient pain remediation treatments one afternoon a week in a clinic within a hospital. Cases were defined as HCV or hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections among patients who reported no prior diagnosis or risk factors for disease or reported previous risk factors but had evidence of acute infection. RESULTS: Of 908 patients, 795 (87.6%) were tested, and 71 HCV-infected patients (8.9%) and 31 HBV-infected patients (3.9%) met the case definition. Multiple HCV genotypes were identified. Significantly higher HCV infection rates were found among individuals treated after an HCV-infected patient during the same visit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 6.2; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 2.4-15.8); a similar association was observed for HBV (AOR, 2.9; CI95, 1.3-6.5). Review of staff practices revealed the nurse anesthetist had been using the same syringe-needle to sequentially administer sedation medications to every treated patient each clinic day. CONCLUSIONS: Reuse of needles-syringes was the mechanism for patient-to-patient transmission of HCV and HBV in this large nosocomial outbreak. Further education and stricter oversight of infection control practices may prevent future outbreaks.     

Case-reporting of acute hepatitis B and C among injection drug users

Although public health surveillance system data are widely used to describe the epidemiology of communicable disease, occurrence of hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively) infections may be misrepresented by under-reporting in injection drug users (IDUs). This study was carried out to examine the relationship between HBV and HCV incidence and case-reporting of hepatitis B and C in Seattle IDUs. Names of participants in a Seattle IDU cohort study who acquired HBV or HCV infection over a 12-month follow-up period were compared to a database of persons with acute bepatitis B and C reported to the bealth department surveillance unit over the same period. Of 2,208 IDUs enrolled in the cohort who completed a follow-up visit, 63/759 acquired HBV infection, 53/317 acquired HCV infection, and 3 subjects acquired both HBV and HCV. Of 113 cohort subjects who acquired HBV or HCV, only 2 (1.5%) cases were reported; both bad acute bepatitis B. The upper 95% confidence limit for case-reporting of bepatitis C in the cohort was 5.7%, and for hepatitis B, it was 7.5%. In this study, reporting of acute bepatitis in IDUs was extremely low, raising questions regarding the use of community surveillance data to estimate underlying incidence in that population group.     

武汉市HIV/AIDS病人合并乙肝、丙肝感染情况分析

目的 了解武汉市HIV/AIDS病人合并乙肝、丙肝感染情况及其相关因素。方法 在2010 - 2018年武汉市报告的确证HIV/AIDS病人中,选取其一般人口学特征、感染途径、HBsAg、AntiHCV检测结果等信息进行整理分析,采用多元logistic回归分析合并感染相关因素。结果 2010 - 2018年武汉市共报告HIV/AIDS病人5 128人,男4 630人（90.3%）,女498人（9.7%）。年龄范围14～89岁,年龄中位数33（25～48）岁。其中,HBsAg阳性率为9.4%（443人）,AntiHCV阳性率为3.3%（152人）,合并HIV、HBV、HCV三重感染率为0.3%（12人）。在HIV/AIDS病人中,本省人群感染乙肝的可能性是本市人群的1.317倍,已婚/同居以及离异/分居/丧偶者感染乙肝的可能性分别是未婚者的2.044、1.892倍（P＜0.05）。与2018年相比,2011 - 2013以及2015年报告的HIV/AIDS病人感染丙肝的可能性更高,经输血和静脉吸毒途径感染的HIV/AIDS病人感染丙肝的可能性分别是经性行为传播者的18.942倍、63.537倍（P＜0.05）。结论 武汉市HIV/AIDS病人合并乙肝、丙肝感染情况不容忽视,其感染乙肝、丙肝的相关因素并不相同,需积极进行评估。     

沈阳地区重型肝炎血清中庚型肝炎病毒核酸的检测

为调查重型肝炎的庚型肝炎病毒 ( HGV)的感染状况。我们应用逆转录 -巢式聚合酶链反应 ( Rt- nested PCR)检测了 4 9例重型肝炎患者血清中的庚型肝炎病毒核酸 ( HGV RNA)。结果显示 :8例 HGV RNA阳性 ( 16.3% ) ,其中 6例死亡 ( 75% ) ;8例 HGV感染的重型肝炎患者中 7例重叠感染乙型肝炎病毒 ( HBV)或丙型肝炎病毒 ( HCV) ,1例为单纯 HGV感染。提示 :HGV与其它肝炎病毒重叠感染及单纯 HGV感染均可引起重型肝炎 ;而且其临床表现较重 ,病死率高。     

Decrease in the prevalence of hepatitis B and a low prevalence of hepatitis C virus infections in the general population of the Seychelles

A serological survey of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections was carried out on a random sex- and age-stratified sample of 1006 individuals aged 25-64 years in the Seychelles islands. Anti-HBc and anti-HCV antibodies were detected using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), followed by a Western blot assay in the case of a positive result for anti-HCV. The age-adjusted seroprevalence of anti-HBc antibodies was 8.0% (95% CI: 6.5-9.9%) and the percentage prevalence among males/females increased from 7.0/3.1 to 19.1/13.4 in the age groups 25-34 to 55-64 years, respectively. Two men and three women were positive for anti-HCV antibodies, with an age-adjusted seroprevalence of 0.34% (95% CI: 0.1-0.8%). Two out of these five subjects who were positive for anti-HCV also had anti-HBc antibodies. The seroprevalence of anti-HBc was significantly higher in unskilled workers, persons with low education, and heavy drinkers. The age-specific seroprevalence of anti-HBc in this population-based survey, which was conducted in 1994, was approximately three times lower than in a previous patient-based survey carried out in 1979. Although there are methodological differences between the two surveys, it is likely that the substantial decrease in anti-HBc prevalence during the last 15 years may be due to significant socioeconomic development and the systematic screening of blood donors since 1981. Because hepatitis C virus infections are serious and the cost of treatment is high, the fact that the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies is at present low should not be an argument for not screening blood donors for anti-HCV and eliminating those who are positive.     

深圳市某区学龄前儿童丙型肝炎血清流行病学调查

目的:C型肝炎目前并未有疫苗预防接种,因此对C型肝炎的流行情况、尤其是C型肝炎病毒的致病机转及感染途径方面的探讨,以其切断感染源,是为迫切需要。方法:以多步骤抽样法在区、街道中心与郊乡地区筛检54所幼儿园。从静脉采血取得血清,以自动化仪器测试肝功能指针研究数据,以SPSS软件系统做统计分析。结果:有19位儿童为C型肝炎抗体阳性,占2.3%。男孩的C型肝炎抗体流行率比女孩高,但经统计学处理无显著差异(ORm:1.6;95%CI:0.9～2.8;P=0.08)。3～4岁年龄段的流行率比5～6岁低(ORm:2.2;95%CI:1.1～4.2;P=0.02)。经多变项调整分析后,具C型肝炎抗体流行率的儿童且受B型肝炎病毒自然感染的比未被感染的高,但经统计学处理无显著差异(ORm:2.6;95%CI:0.9～7.4;P=0.08 for HBV-infected vs.uninfected)。结论:在龙岗区,C型肝炎病毒的感染与B型肝炎病毒自然的感染,除了性别与居住地外,应该还有更多的共同传染途径存在。另外,为数不少的居民相信药物注射比口服治疗快,尤其是对儿童的治疗,因此间接造成C型肝炎病毒感染的数量增加。     

病毒性肝炎感染血清流行病学研究

报道了西昌市自然人群中病毒性肝炎感染流行状况和趋势。总感染率为９１．１６％，ＨＡＶ感染率８２．７３％，ＨＢＶ感染率４１．３７％，ＨＣＶ感染率１．６１％，ＨＥＶ感染率１４．０６％；未发现ＨＤＶ感染。各型肝炎病毒感染单一型占感染人数的５５．９５％，重叠感染占感染人数的９．２５％，混合染二型占感染人数的２５．８３％、三型占感染的人数的９．２５％。     

乙型和丙型病毒性肝炎及相关肝细胞癌的流行现况

乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）和丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）感染是全球主要的健康问题。全球约有3.5亿人（5%）为HBV慢性感染者,其中75%为亚洲人,而HCV的慢性感染者为1.5亿人（2%）。乙型和丙型肝炎是肝硬化和肝细胞癌（HCC）的主要危险因素,肝硬化中的57%和原发性肝癌中的78%为HBV或HCV感染引起。作者将中国、亚洲和美国的HBV、HCV和HCC的流行病学资料进行综述比较,并分析当前危险因素等。在中国和全球其他国家,HBV和HCV仍是HCC的主要危险因素,HBV疫苗的使用显著降低了HBV感染率,进而降低了HCC的患病率,而将来HCV可能取代HBV成为主要危险因素;乙醇作为肝硬化和肝癌的危险因素影响较小。     

Risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among Egyptian healthcare workers in a national liver diseases referral centre

Little is known about the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among healthcare workers (HCW) in Egypt, where the highest worldwide prevalence of HCV exists. The prevalence of HCV, hepatitis B virus and Schistosoma mansoni antibodies was examined in 842 HCWs at the National Liver Institute in the Nile Delta, where >85% of patients are HCV antibody-positive. The mean age of HCWs was 31.5 years and they reported an average of 0.6±1.2 needlesticks/HCW/year. The prevalence of anti-HCV, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and co-infection was 16.6%, 1.5% and 0.2%, respectively. HCV-RNA was present in 72.1% of anti-HCV-positive HCWs, and all but one subject were infected with HCV genotype 4. Schistosoma mansoni antibodies were present in 35.1%. The anti-HCV rate increased sharply with age and employment duration, but not among those with needlestick history. After adjusting for other risk factors, the anti-HCV rate was higher among older HCWs [P<0.001; risk ratio (RR) = 1.086, 95% CI 1.063-1.11], males (P=0.002; RR=1.911, 95% CI 1.266-2.885) and those with rural residence (P<0.001; RR=2.876, 95% CI 1.830-4.52). Occupation (P=0.133), duration of employment (P=0.272) or schistosomal antibody positivity (P=0.152) were not significant risk factors for anti-HCV positivity. In conclusion, although one in six HCWs had been infected with HCV, the infections were more likely to be community-acquired and not occupationally related.     

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and its association with natural infection of hepatitis B virus among preschool children in Taiwan

Taiwan is a hyperendemic area of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection where chronic hepatitis B is the most important cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatoma. Since, diagnostic kit for detecting hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been developed, HCV was found to be another important etiology of chronic liver disease. In order to study the seroprevalence of HCV infection among preschool children after mass hepatitis B vaccination program in Taiwan, a community-based survey was carried out in 54 kindergartens in 10 urban areas, 10 rural areas, and two aboriginal areas randomly selected through stratified sampling. Serum specimens of 2538 preschool children were screened for the HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) by a commercially available third-generation microparticle enzyme immunoassay and for HBV markers by radioimmunoassay methods. The multivariate-adjusted odd ratios (OR_m) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated through the multiple logistic regression analysis. A total of 58 children were anti-HCV seropositive, giving a prevalence of 2.3%. The prevalence of anti-HCV was 1.0% (5 of 484) among aboriginal children, a significantly decreased seroprevalence compared with those among other ethnic groups after multivariate adjustment. Boys had a higher anti-HCV seroprevalence, but not statistically significantly different from girls (OR_m: 1.6; 95% CI: 0.9–2.8; p = 0.08). The seroprevalence of the age group of 3–4 years was lower than that of the age group of 5–6 years (OR_m: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1–4.2; p = 0.02). After multivariate adjustment, preschool children with natural HBV infection had a higher anti-HCV seroprevalence, but not statistically significantly different from those without natural HBV-infection (OR_m: 2.6; 95% CI: 0.9–7.4; p = 0.08 for HBV-infected vs. uninfected). HCV infection varies with gender, residential area, and natural HBV infection. HCV and HBV might share common transmission routes in Taiwan.     

Hepatitis B,C, and D Virus Infections and AFP Tumor Marker Prevalence Among the Elderly Population in Mongolia: A Nationwide Survey

ObjectivesInfections with hepatitis B, C, and D virus (HBV, HCV, and HDV) are a major public health problem and lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV, anti-HDV immunoglobulin G, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and dual and triple hepatitis virus infections in Mongolia.MethodsA total of 2313 participants from urban and rural regions were randomly recruited for this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used to identify the risk factors for hepatitis virus infections, and the seromarkers were measured using immunoassay kits.ResultsAmong all participants, the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HDV was 15.6%, 36.6%, and 14.3%, respectively. The infection rates were significantly higher in females and participants with a lower education level, rural residence, older age, and a history of blood transfusion. HBV and HCV co-infection was found in 120 (5.2%) participants and HBV, HCV, and HDV triple infection was detected in 67 (2.9%) participants. The prevalence of elevated AFP was 2.7%, 5.5%, and 2.6% higher in participants who were seropositive for HBsAg (p=0.01), anti-HCV (p<0.001), and anti-HDV (p=0.022), respectively. Elevated AFP was more prevalent in participants co-infected with HBV and HCV (5.8%, p=0.023), HBV and HDV (6.0%, p<0.001), and triple-infected with HBV, HCV, and HDV (7.5%) than in uninfected individuals.ConclusionsNearly half (49.8%) of the study population aged ≥40 years were infected with HBV, HCV, or HDV, and 22.4% had dual or triple infections.     

温州地区产妇HBV、梅毒、HCV及HIV感染情况调查分析

目的:了解HBV、梅毒螺旋体、HCV及HIV在产妇中的感染趋势及其在不同年龄段的感染情况。方法:对温州地区三大医院2002~2004年22447例产妇进行调查并按年龄组分析。结果:各年份产妇HBV的阳性率分别为12·53%、11·42%、11·27%,差异无统计学意义(P>0·05);梅毒螺旋体的阳性率分别为0·30%、0·52%、0·86%,感染率逐年升高(P<0·05);HCV的感染率分别为0·06%、0·08%、0·24%,2004年高于2003年(P<0·01);2002、2003年分别有1例产妇HIV抗体检测阳性。产妇按年龄分≤24岁,25~29岁,≥30岁组比较,梅毒螺旋体的感染率分别为0.87%、0·49%及0·39%,差异有统计学意义(P<0·01)。结论:3年HBV感染率均较高,无统计学意义,但有略为下降的趋势;梅毒螺旋体、HCV的感染率有明显增加;≤24岁年轻产妇梅毒螺旋体感染率较≥25岁产妇高,HIV在产妇中已有检出。     

Major decline of hepatitis C virus incidence rate over two decades in a cohort of drug users

Injecting drug users (DU) are at high risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV infections. To examine the prevalence and incidence of these infections over a 20-year period (1985–2005), the authors evaluated 1276 DU from the Amsterdam Cohort Studies who had been tested prospectively for HIV infection and retrospectively for HCV infection. To compare HCV and HIV incidences, a smooth trend was assumed for both curves over calendar time. Risk factors for HCV seroconversion were determined using Poisson regression. Among ever-injecting DU, the prevalence of HCV antibodies was 84.5% at study entry, and 30.9% were co-infected with HIV. Their yearly HCV incidence dropped from 27.5/100 person years (PY) in the 1980s to 2/100 PY in recent years. In multivariate analyses, ever-injecting DU who currently injected and borrowed needles were at increased risk of HCV seroconversion (incidence rate ratio 29.9, 95% CI 12.6, 70.9) compared to ever-injecting DU who did not currently inject. The risk of HCV seroconversion decreased over calendar time. The HCV incidence in ever-injecting DU was on average 4.4 times the HIV incidence, a pattern seen over the entire study period. The simultaneous decline of both HCV and HIV incidence probably results from reduced risk behavior at the population level. Charlotte H.S.B. van den Berg and ColetteSmit contributed equally to this paper     

Hepatitis B and C among Berlin dental personnel: incidence, risk factors, and effectiveness of barrier prevention measures

A study of 215 Berlin dentists and 108 dental assistants recruited at the 1997 Berlin Dental Society meeting assessed their occupational risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. HBV vaccine coverage, and barrier prevention methods used. Among dentists, 7% (95% CI 4-11) and 0.5% (95% CI 0-3) had serological evidence of previous HBV and HCV infection, respectively. Similar figures for dental assistants were 1% (95% CI 0-5) and 0% (95% CI 0-4). Only 74% of dentists and 63% of dental assistants reported HBV vaccination. Approximately half always used gloves, eye glasses, or face masks. HBV unvaccinated dentists whose patients had HBV risk factors had a greater risk of HBV infection; those who always wore face masks were at lower risk (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.02-0.98). These data indicate that among Berlin dentists, the HCV risk was lower than that of HBV and that face masks may have lowered the risk of HBV. The use of eye glasses or gloves did not appear to lower the risk of HBV acquisition in this population.