HCV Infection Through Perforating and Cutting Material Among Candidates for Blood Donation in Belém, Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

This study evaluated epidemiological factors for HCV infection associated with sharing perforating and cutting instruments among candidates for blood donation (CBD) in the city of Belém, Pará, Brazilian Amazon. Two definitions of HCV infection cases were used: anti-HCV positivity shown by EIA, and HCV-RNA detection by PCR. Infected and uninfected CBD completed a questionnaire about possible risk factors associated with sharing perforating and cutting instruments. The information was evaluated using simple and multiple logistic regressions. Between May and November 2010, 146 (1.1%) persons with anti-HCV antibodies and 106 (0.8%) with HCV-RNA were detected among 13,772 CBD in Belém. Risk factors associated with HCV infection based on the EIA (model 1) and PCR (model 2) results were: use of needles and syringes sterilized at home; shared use of razors at home, sharing of disposable razors in barbershops, beauty salons etc.; and sharing manicure and pedicure material. The models of HCV infection associated with sharing perforating and cutting instruments should be taken into account by local and regional health authorities and by those of other countries with similar cultural practices, in order to provide useful information to guide political and public strategies to control HCV transmission.

Determination of hepatitis B, C and D prevalence among urban and Amerindian populations from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon: a cross sectional study

“…Some studies have demonstrated that sharing cutting instruments among relatives and/or neighbors is a common habit in individuals from the Amazon region [ 34 , 35 ]. These cultural habits could increase the risk of transmission of parenterally acquired viruses, such as, HCV.…”

Recommendations on hepatitis C screening for adults

“…The proportion of confirmed active infections among positive screening test results varies widely across studies and test types. The proportion of RNA-positive, active HCV infection cases ranged from 0% to 89.7% among positive antibody-based assays [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][45][46][47][48][51][52][53][54] and from 0% to 100% among antigen-based assays. 39,44,49,50 Only three studies conducted confirmatory polymerase chain reaction on samples that tested negative for HCV antibody or antigen.…”

Hepatitis C Virus among Female Sex Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted along Rivers and Highways in the Amazon Region

“…In the Amazon region (northern Brazil), several epidemiological studies indicate a high prevalence of HCV infections and the predominance of genotype 1 in different population groups, such as indigenous people, people living in riverside communities, blood donors, patients undergoing hemodialysis, patients with multiple blood transfusions, and PWUDs [5,18,[20][21][22][23][24][25]. Factors associated with parenteral and sexual exposure to HCV have been detected, including: Shared use of manicure and pedicure instruments, use of home-sterilized needles and syringes, unprotected sexual intercourse, more than 12 sexual partners, daily drug use, drug use for more than three years, and shared use of drug paraphernalia [5,[26][27][28][29]. However, much of the epidemiological information on HCV infection among other vulnerable groups in the Amazon region, such as FSWs, is still unknown.…”