Epidemiologic and virologic study of hepatitis C virus infections in Morocco

OBJECTIVES: We prospectively studied 783 consecutive Moroccan patients to define: 1) the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (Ab), 2) the prevalence of other viral infections: HBs Ag, anti-HAV IgM, anti-HGV, HGV RNA, 3) the risk factors of spreading HCV infection, and 4) the distribution of HCV genotypes. RESULTS: 60/783 (7.7%) patients had anti-HCV Ab (48 H/12 F), 26 (3.3%) HBs Ag, and 3 (0.3%) IgM anti-HAV. Anti-HGV Ab was found in 11/60 (18.3%) anti-HCV positive patients, and 6/38 (15.8%) anti-HCV negative patients. 2/22 (9%) serum anti-HCV positive and anti-HGV negative patients were positive for HGV RNA. The 60 HCV positive patients rarely had other viral infections: 3 (5%) HBs Ag, 11 (18.3%) anti-HGV positive, 2 (9%) HGV RNA positive, and none had anti-HBc, IgM anti-HAV, or anti-HIV. HCV positive patients had more often undergone transfusion of blood products (21.7 vs 5.5%; P < 0.0001), and dental treatment (55% vs 8.3%; p < 0.0001). Patients with anti-HCV Ab frequently had hepatitis lesions on liver biopsy, i.e. chronic active hepatitis (n = 44) or cirrhosis (n = 16). HCV RNA was positive in 45/60 (75%) anti-HCV positive patients. HCV genotypes were: 1b (n = 21, 47%), 2a/2c (n = 13, 29%), 1a (n = 6, 13%), et 3 (n = 1, 2%). CONCLUSIONS: In our Moroccan population, the prevalence of HCV was high (7.7%). Other viral infections (HBV, HAV, HGV) were rare.