High Prevalence of Hepatitis C Infection Among Patients Receiving Hemodialysis at an Urban Dialysis Center

2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 319-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumathi Sivapalasingam ◽  
Sharp F. Malak ◽  
John F. Sullivan ◽  
Jonathan Lorch ◽  
Kent A. Sepkowitz

Objective:To determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients at an urban outpatient hemodialysis center.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study of 227 patients undergoing hemodialysis at the Rogosin Kidney Center on December 15, 1998, with a response rate of 90% (227 of 253). Laboratory records were used to retrieve the total number of blood transfusions received and serologic study results. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the relationship among HCV serostatus, patient demographics, and HCV risk factors (eg, intravenous drug use [IVDU], intranasal cocaine use, multiple sexual partners, comorbidities, length of time receiving hemodialysis, and total number of blood transfusions received).Results:The seroprevalence of antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) was 23.3% (53 of 227) in the population. In univariate analysis, factors associated with HCV seropositivity included male gender, younger age, history of IVDU, history of intranasal cocaine use, history of multiple sexual partners, human immunodeficiency virus coinfection, increased time receiving dialysis, history of renal transplant, and positive antibody to hepatitis B core antigen. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that longer duration receiving dialysis and a history of IVDU were the only risk factors that remained independently associated with HCV seropositivity.Conclusions:HCV is markedly more common in our urban cohort of patients receiving hemodialysis compared with patients receiving dialysis nationally and is associated with a longer duration of receiving dialysis and a history of IVDU. Stricter and more frequent enforcement of universal precautions may be required in hemodialysis centers located in areas with a high prevalence of HCV infection or IVDU among the general population.

2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 369-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harnoldo Colares Coelho ◽  
Sabrina Alberti Nóbrega de Oliveira ◽  
Juliana Custódio Miguel ◽  
Maria de Lourdes Aguiar Oliveira ◽  
José Fernando de Castro Figueiredo ◽  
...  

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has quite high prevalence in the prison system, reaching rates of up to 40%. This survey aimed to estimate the prevalence of HCV infection and evaluate risk factors for this exposure among male inmates at the Ribeirão Preto Prison, State of São Paulo, Brazil, between May and August 2003. A total of 333 participants were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire and underwent immunoenzymatic assaying to investigate anti-HCV. The prevalence of HCV infection among the inmates was 8.7% (95% CI: 5.7-11.7). The participants'mean age was 30.1 years, and the prevalence was predominantly among individuals over 30 years of age. Multivariate analysis showed that the variables that were independently associated with HCV infection were age > 30 years, tattooing, history of previous hepatitis, previous injection drug use and previous needle-sharing.


1995 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
GY Minuk ◽  
WWS Wong ◽  
KDE Kaita ◽  
BG Rosser

Previous reports from the United States indicate that as many as 40% of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) have no identifiable risk factor for HCV infection. To determine whether the same is true of Canadian patients with chronic HCV the records of 89 anti-HCV positive patients referred to the authors' tertiary care centre for evaluation of liver disease were reviewed. Each patient had been specifically asked about the following risk factors: previous blood transfusions; intravenous drug abuse; homosexual activity; sexual promiscuity (multiple sexual partners or a history of sexually transmitted diseases); tattoos made with nonsterile techniques; and ear piercing using nonsterile techniques. The results of the study revealed that 76 of 89 patients (85%) had at least one risk factor for HCV exposure, 38 (43%) had only one risk factor, 19 (21%) had two, 12 (14%) had three and the remaining three patients (3%) had four. The most common risk factor was a history of intravenous drug abuse (30 of 89 patients, 34%) followed by sexual promiscuity (28, 32%), previous blood transfusions (21, 24%), tattoos (17, 19%), homosexual contacts (seven, 8%) and ear piercing (five, 6%). Contrary to a recent report identifying sexual contact as an independent risk factor for HCV infection, only four cases (5%) were found where sexual promiscuity was identified as the only risk factor. In conclusion, these findings indicate that a possible source of HCV infection can be identified in a large majority of Canadians referred to an urban centre with chronic HCV infection.


1994 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 595-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. R. Neal ◽  
D. A. Jones ◽  
D. Killey ◽  
V. James

SUMMARYThe introduction of screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) by the National Blood Transfusion Service identified donors who had acquired HCV infection. We undertook a case-control study amongst blood donors in the Trent Region to determine risks for HCV infection. A total of 74 blood donors confirmed positive for hepatitis C infection and 150 age, sex and donor venue matched controls were included in the study. Fifty-three percent of hepatitis C infected blood donors reported previous use of injected drugs compared to no controls; relative risk (RR) not estimatable (lower limit 95% CI = 20). Other risk factors were a history of: receipt of a blood transfusion or blood products RR = 3·6 (95% CI 1·5–8·3), having been a ‘health care worker’ RR = 2·8 (95% CI 1·1–7·6), tattooing RR = 3·3 (95% CI 1·2–8·7), and an association with having been born abroad RR = 3·2 (95% CI 1·1–9·5). No risk was shown for a history of multiple sexual partners, ear piercing or acupuncture. Injecting drug use explains more than 50% of hepatitis C infections in blood donors, a group who are less likely to have injected drugs than the general population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arina Yespotayeva ◽  
Kairat Kabulbayev ◽  
Abduzhappar Gaipov ◽  
Zauresh Amreyeva ◽  
Zhanar Mursalova

Abstract Background and Aims Patients getting maintenance haemodialysis (HD) are at higher risk for acquiring Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections than the general population. Strict infection control measures are essential to prevent nosocomial transmission. We aimed to investigate the incidence and prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in the HD population of Almaty dialysis units as well as risk factors for infection. Method All adult patients getting maintenance HD (n=700) in Almaty dialysis centres (n=4) were studied between May 2016 and December 2019. Testing for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies was performed at initiation of dialysis and every 3–6 months thereafter. Serological markers for HBV and HCV were determined with immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA). Results Participant median age was 40 years and 58% were male. 110 patients (34.9%) were sero-positive for HBV and/or HCV (anti-HCV positive 31.1%; HBsAg positive 2.6%; both positive 1.2%). Of the sero-positive patients 4.7% were known to be infected before the initiation of HD. The prevalence of HBV±HCV infection varied widely between HD centres from 0% to 75.9%. Sero-positive patients were younger, had longer time on dialysis and more previous blood transfusions. Wide variation in rates of newly acquired infections was observed between dialysis centres. All new HBV cases were referred from centres already treating HBV infected patients. New HCV infections were reported in most centres but the rate of HCV sero-conversion varied widely from 1.5% to 31%. Duration of dialysis, history of previous renal transplant and history of receiving HD in another centre in Almaty were significantly associated with sero-conversion. Major risk factors identified by a standard questionnaire in 302 of 270 patients were the number of blood transfusions individuals had received and duration of dialysis, the latter including patients who received no blood transfusions Conclusion HBV and HCV prevalence in our HD patients is still high. These data emphasize the need for stricter adherence to infection control, barrier precaution and preventive behaviors with all patients. In summary, the prevalence of HBV and HCV in our HD patients is still high. These data emphasize the need for stricter adherence to infection control, barrier precaution and preventive behaviors with all patients.


2005 ◽  
Vol 192 (11) ◽  
pp. 1880-1889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric E. Mast ◽  
Lu‐Yu Hwang ◽  
Dexter S. Y. Seto ◽  
Frederick S. Nolte ◽  
Omana V. Nainan ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. R. AZEVEDO ◽  
N. A. FILGUEIRA ◽  
E. P. LOPES

SUMMARYWe evaluated the occurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 97 former soccer players who played in Recife, Brazil in the 1960s and 1970s, and analysed the risk factors for infection, such as history of transfusions, surgery, tattoos, piercings, and the use of illicit drugs or injectable vitamin complexes. Immunochromatographic testing was performed to detect anti-HCV antibodies. All former soccer players were men (mean age 59·2 years), of whom 62 (64%) and 35 (36%) were classified as amateurs and professionals, respectively. Seven (7·2%) tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies; three (4·8%) were amateurs, and four (11·4%) were professionals. In univariate analysis, transfusion, surgery, and use of injectable vitamin complexes were associated with HCV infection, while in multivariate analysis, only the use of injectable vitamin complexes was related (P=0·0005). We observed a high frequency of HCV infection in former soccer players, especially in professionals who used injectable vitamin complexes.


2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (03) ◽  
pp. 445-449
Author(s):  
MUHAMMAD NAEEM ◽  
AMEER AHMAD ◽  
IMRAN QAISAR ◽  
Fiaz Ahmad

Objective: To know the status of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children admitted in Pediatric ward of Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. Study design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and duration of study: Pediatric unit-1 Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur over a period of 2 months and 15 days. Material and methods: This study was conducted over 500 children admitted in children ward-1 of Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. Children of 1-15 years of age were included in the study. The blood samples of these children were taken at the time of admission and serum was tested for HCV with ICT method and later on confirmed by ELISA. Children having HCV infection were tested for SGPT level. Different risk factors for transmission of HCV infection were also studied. Results: Out of 500 children 43 were HCV positive by ICT method. Out of these 43 ICT positive children 38 were confirmed by ELISA. In this way 7.6% children were found positive for HCV. In 23 cases (60.5%) SGPT was raised (>40). Statistically significant risk factors for transmission of HCV infection found in this study were past history of blood transfusion and history of injections in past. Conclusions: HCV infection is quite common in children. Safe blood transfusions and use of disposable and sterilized syringes is important for prevention of this infection. 


Gut ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 874-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Bellentani ◽  
G Pozzato ◽  
G Saccoccio ◽  
M Crovatto ◽  
L S Crocè ◽  
...  

BACKGROUNDThe severity, clinical course, and risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) related chronic liver disease are still rather poorly defined.AIMSTo investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and severity of HCV related liver disease in the general population, and investigate whether infection with a specific genotype is associated with an increased risk of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma.METHODSHCV RNA determination by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and HCV genotyping were performed in all anti-HCV positive subjects belonging to the Dionysos study (6917 subjects). Diagnosis of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma was established by liver biopsy in all cases. All the data were analysed by univariate and multivariate statistics in all the cohort. To investigate the natural history of HCV infection, anti-HCV positive subjects were followed up every six months for three years with liver function tests and ultrasonograms.RESULTSThe overall prevalence of HCV RNA positivity was 2.3%. Positivity increased progressively with age, and was higher in women (ratio of men to women = 0.7). Genotypes 1b and 2a were the most frequent (42 and 24% of HCV RNA positive patients), with a prevalence of 1 and 0.6% respectively. Intravenous drug use, blood transfusions received before 1990, history of previous hepatitis among the cohabiting, and history of animal (mainly dogs) bites were significantly (p<0.05) associated with HCV infection, independently of age and sex. Multivariate analysis showed that, independently of age, sex, and alcohol intake, genotype 1b infection, with or without coinfection with other genotypes, is the major risk factor associated with the presence of cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. During the three years of follow up, 57 (35%) of the HCV RNA positive subjects had consistently normal alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyltransferase values. Two of the 22 HCV RNA positive cirrhotic patients, all drinking more than 90 g of alcohol a day, developed hepatocellular carcinoma (incidence rate = 3.0% per year).CONCLUSIONSIn the general population of Northern Italy, HCV infection is widespread, but only less than 50% of the anti-HCV positive subjects, particularly those infected with genotype 1b, are associated with a more severe liver disease. Alcohol consumption greater that 30 g a day significantly aggravates the natural course of the disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ifeyinwa M. Okafor ◽  
Solomon O. Ugwu ◽  
Henshaw U. Okoroiwu

Abstract Background The prison population is considered at high risk of acquiring infectious diseases due to confined conditions, behavioral factors, injection drug use, unprotected sexual activity, non-professional tattooing and scarification, and needle sharing. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood borne pathogen mostly transmitted via percutaneous exposure that results in inflammation of the liver. It is one of the public health problem worldwide and is the principal cause of parenterally transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis. The study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of HCV among prison inmates in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria and the associated factors. Methods The study took a descriptive cross sectional approach using multi-stage sampling technique. One hundred and forty-two (142) prison inmates within the age range of 18–50 years and above were recruited for this study. Result Forty two (42); [29.6%] of the participating prison inmates were seropositive for HCV. Gender stratification showed that 31.0% of the males were seropositive for HCV while 15.4% of the females were seropositive for HCV. Fisher exact test showed that gender, age, marital status, occupation and level of education had no association in distribution of seroprevalence of HCV (p > 0.05) but the duration in prison was significantly associated with distribution of seropositivity of HCV in the studied population (p < 0.05). Bivariate logistic regression showed that tattoo/scarification, injection drug use, history of blood transfusion, sexual experience, shaving equipment sharing and multiple sexual partners were not risk factor for distribution of HCV prevalence in the studied population (p > 0.05). However, 23.5% who had tattoo/scarification, 29.6% who used injection drug, 33.3% who had history of blood transfusion, 29.8% who had sexual experience, 21.2% who shared shaving equipment, and 28.3% who had multiple sex partners were seropositive for HCV. Conclusion Approximately 29.6% prevalence of Hepatitis C virus infection observed among inmates studied is high and calls for concern. Attitude and behaviors by inmates such as tattooing/scarification, injection drugs use, sharing of shaving equipment, multiple sexual partners should be discouraged.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (03) ◽  
pp. 171-177
Author(s):  
Nikola Mitrovic ◽  
Dragan Delic ◽  
Ljiljana Markovic Denic ◽  
Natasa Nikolic ◽  
Ksenija Bojovic ◽  
...  

Introduction: The epidemiological characteristics of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Republic of Serbia have not been studied sufficiently so far. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in the general population of Serbia and determine the risk factors for this infection. Methodology: Estimation of the prevalence was done using the median ratio method with data from several regional countries to a previously determined prevalence of anti-HCV positivity among volunteer blood donors of 0.19%. In order to determine the risk factors a matched case-control study was conducted of 106 subjects with confirmed HCV infection from the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia and the same number of hospital controls matched by sex and age. Results: The estimated prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in the general population of Serbia was 1.13% (95% CI: 1.0-1.26%). The most important predictive risk factors of HCV infection were: intravenous drug use (OR = 31.0; 95% CI: 3.7-259.6), blood transfusions (OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.6-8.7), invasive dental treatment (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.4-6.8), and low level of education (OR = 2.2; 95% CI:1.1-4.7). A total of 91.5% of the persons with hepatitis C had at least one of the significant risk factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity ranks Serbia in the range of mid-endemic European countries. Preventive measures should be directed at preventing drug use, on education about getting the infection, creating safe conditions for blood transfusions, and strict adherence to adopted practices in dentistry.


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