Viral transmission risk factors in an Egyptian population with high hepatitis C prevalence

Abstract

BackgroundEgypt has the world’s highest prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. The high HCV prevalence is largely attributed to the parenteral antischistosomal therapy (PAT) campaigns conducted from the 1950s through the 1980s; however, the primary modes of transmission in the post-PAT period are not well known. In this study we examined the associations between HCV prevalence and exposures to risk factors, including PAT, in a high HCV prevalence population.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, we examined the associations between demographic characteristics and risk factors for HCV transmission and HCV positivity prevalence among a sample of Egyptian residents. Data were collected through an interview-administered survey, and the association estimates were determined using χ2 and logistic regression.ResultsThe highest HCV positivity prevalence was observed in cohorts born before 1960, and declined precipitously thereafter; whereas the proportion of subjects reporting PAT remained relatively stable. Being male, having a rural residence, and having received PAT were all associated with HCV positivity; however, PAT alone could not account for the high prevalence of HCV.ConclusionsIn Egypt, PAT and other transmission factors yet to be identified, as well as cohorts born before the 1960s and infected with HCV, are most likely the main contributors to the current HCV endemic.

Hepatitis B in Egypt: A cross‐sectional analysis of prevalence and risk factors for active infection from a nationwide survey

“…And while risk factors for HBV infection are well‐characterised in the literature in general, data specific to the Egyptian context are few and multiple modes of transmission have been noted . Previous work in Egypt has shown strong associations between distal risk factors such as literacy and HBV risk, but age‐related effects have not been investigated, although a cohort effect in HCV prevalence has been demonstrated possibly resulting from parenteral antischistosomal therapy (PAT) campaigns in the 1950s and 1960s . Similarly, the role of intermediate risk factors including access to preventive care has not been explored, although there are known inequalities in health‐seeking behaviour by socio‐economic group (reported elsewhere).…”

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus among Population in Luxor Governorate, Egypt

“…Mohlman et al [28] reported that not a statistically significant assоciatiоn between HCV pоsitivity and blооd dоnation [28]. However, many оther studies repоrted that, there is relation between these risk factors and increasing prevalence of anti-HCV [19,34,38,39].…”

“…Mоhlman et al [28] report that community who born after 1980 have mоdest to lоw exposure to risk factors such as PAT, blооd transfusion and blооd donation [28]. However, the assоciation between aging pоpulations and increased healthcare utilization [19], which in turn increase the risk for HCV transmissiоn, and the high HCV positivity prevalence among individuals bоrn before 1960 suggest that the latter cоhorts may substantially contribute to the ongoing HCV transmission in Egypt [29].…”

Hepatitis C Virus: Its Eradication from the Serum is Just Possible

“…The achievement of a sustained viral response (SVR) to interferonbased therapies has been shown to benefit the course of hepatitis C viral illness in terms of reduced rates of liver-related complications and mortality. Interestingly, the achievement of SVR is associated with a negligible risk of developing clinical decompensation over the years [4,5].…”