Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes among injecting drug users in Lebanon

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of anti-HCV among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Lebanon, to establish the current prevalence of HCV genotypes in this population and to determine whether demographic characteristics and behavioral variables differ between participants who were HCV-RNA positive and those who were HCV-RNA negative or between the different genotypes. Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling method. The blood samples were collected as dried blood spots and then eluted to be tested for HCV, HBV and HIV by ELISA. Anti-HCV positive samples were subjected to RNA extraction followed by qualitative detection and genotyping.ResultsAmong 106 IDUs, 56 (52.8%) were anti-HCV-positive. The two groups did not differ in terms of age, marital status, and nationality. As for the behavioral variable, there was a trend of increased risky behaviors among the HCV-RNA positive group as compared to the HCV-RNA negative group but none of the variables reached statistical significance. Half (50%) of the 56 anti-HCV-positive were HCV-RNA positive. Genotype 3 was the predominant one (57.1%) followed by genotype 1 (21%) and genotype 4 (18%).ConclusionsThe predominance of genotype 3 seems to be the predominant genotype among IDUs in Lebanon, a situation similar to that among IDUs in Western Europe. This study provides a base-line against possible future radical epidemiological variant that might occur in IDUs.

Hepatitis C virus infection in the Middle East and North Africa “MENA” region: injecting drug users (IDUs) is an under-investigated population

“…The data compiled recently by Nelson et al [139] show that HCV infection is more common than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in IDUs globally. This is also confirmed in a recent study carried out among IDUs in Lebanon [128], where HCV infection was 25.8% compared to less than 1% HIV infection. Viral hepatitis, therefore, poses a key challenge to public health.…”

“…Recently, we have shown that genotype 3 seems to be the predominant genotype among IDUs in Lebanon [128], a situation similar to that among IDUs in Western Europe. This was surprising and was in contrast with our earlier findings, where genotype 4 was the predominant genotype among Lebanese patients [111].…”

Hepatitis C Virus in Arab World: A State of Concern

“…Genotype 4 was the commonest isolated genotype among the various groups studied followed by genotypes 1a and 1b [31]. …”

Hepatitis C in prisoners and non-prisoners in Colatina, Espírito Santo, Brazil

“…Thornton et al (2011) found an average prevalence of 0.5 to 1.2% in Ireland, with a strong association (80%) with drug use, and Flisiak et al (2011) also showed strong association with drug use and male gender in Poland. Mohtasham et al (2007) found a 45.4% prevalence in injected drug user inmates in Iran, and Mahfoud et al (2010) found a prevalence of 3.4% in prisoners in Lebanon, with strong associations with injected drug use and tattoos. Adjei et al (2007) found associations with injected drug use and unprotected sex as the risk factors most strongly associated with prisoners in Ghana, Africa.…”