406 Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in pregnancy: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Infection

Background: Viral hepatitis is the most common liver disease in pregnancy and is also the most common cause of jaundice in pregnancy in tropical countries. Risk factors for transmission are intravenous drug abuse, surgical and dental procedures done without adequate sterilization of instruments, sexual route etc. Early diagnosis and management can prevent maternal and fetal complications. This study was done to evaluate the frequency, risk factors and pregnancy outcome in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive antenatal women.Methods: This case control study was conducted in Teerthankar Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India from January 2017 to June 2018 on total 2511 pregnant women. The serum samples were checked for presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and presence of IgG antibodies to HCV. Analysis of sociodemographic profile, risk factors and pregnancy outcome were done in all HBV and HCV positive women.Results: Out of 2511 pregnant women, 292 were tested positive for hepatitis. Maximum number of women were in the age group of 21-30 years. Most of the seropositive women were multipara. Frequency of positivity was maximum for HCV (67.1%). The risk factors for transmission in study population were intravenous drug abuse, blood transfusion, history of surgery and tattooing.Conclusions: Hepatitis infection rate is increasing. Universal screening for HBV and HCV can be recommended in pregnant women in developing countries. Education and awareness of public and health care workers can reduce the risk of transmission.

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Hepatitis C Virus in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Literature

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1709672 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alexandra Andes ◽

Kerry Ellenberg ◽

Amanda Vakos ◽

James Collins ◽

Kimberly Fryer

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Universal Screening ◽

Demographic Characteristics ◽

Hcv Infection ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

In Pregnancy

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature to summarize recent demographic characteristics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during pregnancy and the efficacy of risk-based versus universal screening. Study Design PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant studies. Studies that recognized hepatitis C as a primary or secondary outcome, with pregnant women as the population and written in English, were included. Studies were excluded if they were abstracts only, written in foreign language, or published prior to 1992. Two researchers independently screened all the studies by titles, abstracts, and full text. Conflicts were settled by a third researcher. Results A total of 698 studies were identified with 78 fitting inclusion criteria. In total, 69 epidemiologic and 9 comparison studies were found. Identified risk factors for HCV infection include intravenous or illicit drug use, sexually transmitted coinfection, high-risk behaviors in the partners, high parity, and history of miscarriages or abortions. Demographic characteristics associated with HCV include non-Hispanic white race, American Indian or Alaskan Native ethnicity, and increasing age. Providers may fail to adequately screen for each risk factor, and up to two-thirds of women with a known risk factor are not screened under current guidelines. Finally, up to 27% of HCV+ women have no identifiable risk factors for infection. Conclusion There is evidence that risk-based screening fails to identify a large proportion of HCV positive women in pregnancy and that pregnant women with HCV risk factors and consistent with current screening guidelines fail to be tested. We urge for the adoption of universal screening to identify these women and offer treatment.

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Hepatitis C virus in pregnancy: Seroprevalence and risk factors for infection

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1016/0002-9378(93)90627-u ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 169 (3) ◽

pp. 583-587 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Neil S. Silverman ◽

Brenda K. Jenkin ◽

Christine Wu ◽

Patricia McGillen ◽

Gerald Knee

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

In Pregnancy

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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Tehsil Batkhela District Malakand, KPK, Pakistan

International Journal of Contemporary Research and Review ◽

10.15520/ijcrr/2018/9/06/525 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (06) ◽

pp. 20251-20256

Author(s):

Mudassir Khan ◽

Shahrukh Khan ◽

Shohra Haider ◽

Fazal Jalil ◽

Muhsin Jamal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Skin Color ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Rapid Test ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Hcv Infection ◽

Hcv Rna ◽

Common Symptom

Background: Prevalence of Hepatitis C viral infection and its major risk factors has been found out in population of Batkhela, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan by taking number of volunteers from the interested area. HCV prevalence has not been researched in recent time here in this area, so that’s why we contributed. Materials and Methods: Ab rapid test cassette serum/plasma (USA) kit has been used for the mentioned purpose following by ELISA and finally PCR to find out active infection of virus. ICT positive individuals were reconfirmed by ELISA and then ELISA positive samples were carefully investigated by RT-PCR for Hepatitis C Virus. Results: The study population was of 770 volunteers belonging to the mentioned area of research, 453 males and 317 females. The overall prevalence was found to be 5.32% of HCV in Batkhela. This prevalence ratio was 3.12% in males and 2.20 % in females. 3rd generation ELISA was used to refine ICT positive samples which showed that 37 of the ICT positive samples had antibodies detected by ELISA. To find out active HCV infection, ELISA positive samples were refined by real time PCR which showed 2.98% of prevalence of active HCV infection in Batkhela based on HCV RNA in their blood. Principle Conclusion: Overall prevalence was found 5.32%, contaminated reused syringes and blades at Barbour’s shop, blood transfusion, surgical operations and unhygienic food in stalls etc were found significant risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. Body weakness and pale yellow skin color was common symptom in HCV positive volunteers. Safe sexual activities, blood screening before donation and sterilizing surgical equipment’s can protect us from Hepatitis C Virus.

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Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence and Risk Factors in a Village in Northeastern Romania—A Population-Based Screening—The First Step to Viral Micro-Elimination

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9060651 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 651

Author(s):

Laura Huiban ◽

Carol Stanciu ◽

Cristina Maria Muzica ◽

Tudor Cuciureanu ◽

Stefan Chiriac ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Antiviral Treatment ◽

Population Based ◽

Hcv Infection ◽

World Health ◽

Hcv Rna ◽

Virus Eradication ◽

Tertiary Center

(1) Background: The World Health Organization adopted a strategy for the Global Health Sector on Viral Hepatitis in 2016, with the main objective of eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection and risk factors in a Romanian village using population-based screening as part of the global C virus eradication program. (2) Methods: We conducted a prospective study from March 2019 to February 2020, based on a strategy as part of a project designed to educate, screen, treat and eliminate HCV infection in all adults in a village located in Northeastern Romania. (3) Results: In total, 3507 subjects were invited to be screened by rapid diagnostic orientation tests (RDOT). Overall, 2945 (84%) subjects were tested, out of whom 78 (2.64%) were found to have positive HCV antibodies and were scheduled for further evaluation in a tertiary center of gastroenterology/hepatology in order to be linked to care. In total, 66 (85%) subjects presented for evaluation and 55 (83%) had detectable HCV RNA. Of these, 54 (98%) completed antiviral treatment and 53 (99%) obtained a sustained virological response. (4) Conclusions: The elimination of hepatitis C worldwide has a higher chance of success if micro-elimination strategies based on mass screening are adopted.

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