Increasing Newly Diagnosed Rate and Changing Risk Factors of HCV in Yanbian Prefecture, a High Endemic Area in China

Abstract

BackgroundThe newly diagnosed rate of HCV infection is increasing in China. However, the risk factors have not been fully identified. Here, a survey was performed in Yanbian Prefecture, a high-endemic area in China.MethodsWe identified newly diagnosed HCV infection in 2007–2011, using the local National Disease Supervision Information Management System from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We determined the risk factors using a case-control survey by questionnaire.ResultsYanbian Prefecture had a rapid increase in the yearly newly diagnosed rate of HCV infection from 32.6 to 72.1/100.000 from the year 2007 to 2011. People aged 50–64 years had a high HCV infection of 43.4%, but only 0.3% of cases were reported in those aged less than 20 years. Cosmetic treatment, family history, blood transfusion, and dental treatment were independent risk factors for HCV infection. Unexpectedly, cosmetic treatments [odd ratio (OR) = 5.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.31–11.48, P = 0.00] and family history (OR = 4.68, 95% CI = 2.67–8.75, P = 0.00) showed a higher risk than the conventional risk factors of blood transfusion (OR = 4.49, 95% CI = 1.95–10.37, P = 0.001) and dental treatment (OR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.42–6.25, P = 0.00). To further analyze the intrafamilial transmission, we found that spouses of HCV patients had an increased risk for acquiring HCV (OR = 5.75, 95% CI: 1.94–17.07), without significant association between either HCV RNA viral load (P = 0.29) or genotype (P = 0.43).ConclusionsHCV infection was increased in Yanbian Prefecture. Cosmetic treatment was a higher risk factor than medical procedure. HCV infection had a clear family clustering phenomenon, especially between spouses.

Liver diseases in the Asia-Pacific region: a Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology Commission

“…13 Similar data showing continuously decreasing HCV transmission via blood transfusion and a concomitant increase in HCV transmission via intravenous drug use, unsafe sexual behaviour, and invasive procedures outside health-care settings (eg, piercings, tattoos, acupuncture, barbershop shaving, etc) have been reported in Beijing, as well as in other parts of mainland China. 14,15 Between 2010 and 2012, disease sentinel surveillance identified that the incidence of HCV seropositivity was highest in people who inject drugs and who require haemodialysis, and was far lower, but not negligible, in the sexually active general population. 11 As is the case in China, the greatest contributing factor to the burden of liver disease in India is viral hepatitis, particularly HBV.…”

Hepatitis C Virus Increases Free Fatty Acids Absorption and Promotes its Replication Via Down-Regulating GADD45α Expression

“…Human hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects approximately 170 million persons and adds about 3 million new infections each year worldwide [ 1 , 2 ]. In China, a recent survey showed that total HCV infection rate was 0.4% in the human population in six regions during 2006–2008 [ 3 ]. Among HCV-exposed individuals, up to 60–85% will develop chronic infection, which can ultimately lead to hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and even death [ 4 ].…”

Influence of male human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on the reproductive outcomes in serodiscordant couples: a case–control study

“…On the other hand, the global rise of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has largely generated a growth of HCV‐seropositive sub‐fertile couples (Piao et al ., ; Yip et al ., ). Currently, in the era of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) it is possible to avoid the virus transmission to the partner, conceiving safely and giving birth with a minimal risk of cross‐infection.…”