scholarly journals Performance and modification of EGCRISC among hepatitis C virus high-risk groups

2020 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. El-Ghitany ◽  
Y. M. Alkassabany ◽  
A. G. Farghaly
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Human Immune Deficiency Virus ◽  
Hiv Patients ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract We have previously shown that the Egyptian Hepatitis C Virus Risk Score (EGCRISC), an Egyptian hepatitis C virus (HCV) risk-based screening tool, to be valid and cost-effective. Certain behaviours, occupations and diseases have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of exposure to HCV infection and constitute a major population reservoir of HCV infection. This study investigated the efficacy of EGCRISC in selected high-risk groups by testing 863 participants from four groups: slaughterhouse workers, illicit drug users (IDUs), female sex workers and human immune deficiency virus (HIV) patients. Data for this study were collected on EGCRISC and another pre-designed risk factor questionnaire. Sera were tested for HCV antibodies by ELISA. EGCRISC, at lower cut-off points, showed significantly good performance (P < 0.05) in all four groups except for females <45 years, but was reliable in detecting HCV cases (sensitivity: 84.21% and negative predictive value: 94.5%). Specific scores for IDUs and HIV patients were developed that showed high accuracy (P < 0.001). A modified EGCRISC for high-risk groups (EGCRISC-HRGs) was shown to be a valid tool that is recommended for use in high-risk populations if no other specific screening tool is available or universal screening is applied. EGCRISC for IDUs (EGCRISC-IDUs) and EGCRISC for HIV patients (EGCRISC-HIV) are useful tools for preselecting potentially HCV-infected cases for further testing in settings where serological analysis is not readily available or accessible.

Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections among female sex workers and men who have sex with men in Lebanon: prevalence, risk behaviour and immune status

Sexual Health ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kassem Kassak ◽  
Ziyad Mahfoud ◽  
Khalil Kreidieh ◽  
Sarah Shamra ◽  
Rima Afifi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Female Sex Workers ◽  
Immune Status ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Sex With Men

Background The aim of our study was to study the prevalence of and the risk behaviours associated with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among two high-risk groups: female sex workers (FSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM). Furthermore, since vaccination is a key component of HBV prevention programs, the immune status of HBV infection in these two high-risk groups was evaluated. Methods: Participants included in this study were part of a bio-behavioural surveillance study done to assess HIV prevalence among four vulnerable groups in Lebanon. Participants were recruited using a respondent-driven sampling method. The total number of eligible participants were 101 MSM and 103 FSW. Blood samples were collected as dried blood spots and then eluted to be tested for HCV, HBV and HIV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: None of the 204 individuals tested has been exposed to HCV. In the 101 MSM, only one (0.99%) was an HBsAg carrier and one (0.99%) was confirmed as anti-HIV-positive. Among FSW, 30% showed they were immune to HBV compared with only ~10% among MSM. The distribution of socio-demographic characteristics and potential risk factors in both groups were shown. Conclusion: Our results highlight the urgent need to raise awareness among FSW and MSM and their health care providers of the availability and benefits of HBV vaccination in Lebanon. In addition, and due to the absence of vaccines against HCV and HIV, education programs aiming at behavioural changes should be intensified.

scholarly journals Robust Production of Infectious Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) from Stably HCV cDNA-Transfected Human Hepatoma Cells

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (22) ◽  
pp. 13963-13973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaohui Cai ◽  
Chen Zhang ◽  
Kyung-Soo Chang ◽  
Jieyun Jiang ◽  
Byung-Chul Ahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Infectious Virus ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Human Hepatoma ◽  
Stable Cell Lines ◽  
Increased Risk

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronically infects approximately 170 million people worldwide, with an increased risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The study of HCV replication and pathogenesis has been hampered by the lack of an efficient stable cell culture system and small-animal models of HCV infection and propagation. In an effort to develop a robust HCV infection system, we constructed stable human hepatoma cell lines that contain a chromosomally integrated genotype 2a HCV cDNA and constitutively produce infectious virus. Transcriptional expression of the full-length HCV RNA genome is under the control of a cellular Pol II polymerase promoter at the 5′ end and a hepatitis delta virus ribozyme at the 3′ end. The resulting HCV RNA was expressed and replicated efficiently, as shown by the presence of high levels of HCV proteins as well as both positive- and negative-strand RNAs in the stable Huh7 cell lines. Stable cell lines robustly produce HCV virions with up to 108 copies of HCV viral RNA per milliliter (ml) of the culture medium. Subsequent infection of naïve Huh7.5 cells with HCV released from the stable cell lines resulted in high levels of HCV proteins and RNAs. Additionally, HCV infection was inhibited by monoclonal antibodies specific to CD81 and the HCV envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2, and HCV replication was suppressed by alpha interferon. Collectively, these results demonstrate the establishment of a stable HCV culture system that robustly produces infectious virus, which will allow the study of each aspect of the entire HCV life cycle.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection, Monoclonal Immunoglobulin Specific for HCV Core Protein, and Plasma-Cell Malignancy

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 2712-2712
Author(s):  
Edith Bigot-Corbel ◽  
Michelle Gassin ◽  
Isabelle Corre ◽  
Didier Le Carrer ◽  
Odile Delaroche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Core Protein ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Monoclonal Immunoglobulin ◽  
Hcv Core Protein ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Genotype 2 ◽  
Cell Malignancy

Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to B-cell malignancy via direct infection and transformation of B-lymphocytes, or via indirect transformation by chronic antigen-driven stimulation. Both mechanisms may occur simultaneously, as we previously reported in a case of HCV infection followed by plasma-cell leukemia (PCL), where blasts were infected with HCV and the monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) they produced was directed against the core protein of the virus (New Engl J Med, 2003; 348:178). Approximately 10% of HCV-positive patients develop a monoclonal Ig, the specificity of which is usually unknown. To evaluate the link between chronic HCV-antigen driven stimulation and plasma–cell transformation, we studied the specificity of monoclonal Ig developed in the context of HCV infection. Over a period of 13 months, sera from patients consulting or hospitalised at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire of Nantes found positive for monoclonal Ig, were systematically tested for the presence of HCV RNA and anti-HCV Ig. Among the 700 patients thus studied, 10 (1.4%) were found positive for HCV. Purification of the monoclonal Ig was achieved for 7/10 patients. Using immunoblotting, the purified monoclonal Ig (2 IgG, 1 IgA, 1 IgM) of 4 patients, all with HCV genotype 2, recognized the C22–3 fragment of HCV-core protein; 2 (IgG) recognized NS-4 and 1 did not recognize HCV. Among the 4 patients with anti-HCV-core monoclonal Ig, two presented with mixed (type II) cryoglobulinemia and one was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Hence, 2/5 patients with anti-HCV core monoclonal Ig developed plasma-cell malignancy. Anti-HCV treatment resulted in the disappearance of the monoclonal Ig for 3/3 treated patients. In summary, in the context of HCV infection monoclonal Ig were typically directed against the virus, and could distinguish patients with increased risk of plasma-cell malignancy. Efforts should be made to identify such patients, as anti-viral therapy should help eradicate the HCV-driven plasma-cell clone.

scholarly journals Addressing the disease burden of vertically-acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among opioid-exposed infants

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella Protopapas ◽  
Liza Bronner Murrison ◽  
Scott L Wexelblatt ◽  
Jason T Blackard ◽  
Eric S Hall
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Control Analysis ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
High Risk Infants ◽  
Urine Testing ◽  
Hcv Testing

Abstract Purpose This study aims to estimate the disease burden of vertically-acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a large Midwestern hospital; and to identify factors associated with HCV diagnostic testing among high-risk infants. Methods Retrospective analysis of an infant cohort (n=58,427) born from 2014-2016 in the Greater Cincinnati region, where universal maternal urine testing is conducted at delivery to assess for intrauterine drug exposure (IUDE). Demographics and birth characteristics were analyzed among high-risk infants to identify factors associated with receiving HCV testing. A nested matched case-control analysis examined the association of pediatric HCV infection and IUDE. Results The HCV prevalence rate among high-risk infants who received testing was 3.6-5.2% of births. Approximately 66.7% of maternally-acquired HCV infections may be missed using current testing recommendations. Prenatal care had no significant effect (aOR 1.2 [95%CI 0.4-3.5]) on the odds of a high-risk infant receiving HCV testing. Opioid-exposed cases had an over 6-fold increase in the odds of HCV infection (aOR 6.2 [95%CI 2.3-16.6]) compared to non-opioid exposed infants. Conclusions IUDE was significantly associated with increased odds of pediatric HCV infection in this population. The gaps in pediatric HCV testing identified in this study, despite known risk level and maternal infection, suggest the need for increased focus on HCV identification in the pediatric population.

scholarly journals Factors Correlating to the Development of Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Drug Users—Findings from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (13) ◽  
pp. 2345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biao Zhou ◽  
Gao Feng Cai ◽  
Hua Kun Lv ◽  
Shuang Fei Xu ◽  
Zheng Ting Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Methadone Maintenance ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Injecting Drug Use ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Increased Risk

Hepatitis C remains a significant public health threat. However, the main routes of transmission have changed since the early 1990s. Currently, drug use is the main source of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and some measures have been successively implemented and additional studies have been published. However, the factors correlating with HCV infection failed to clearly define. Our study pooled the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and analyzed sensitivity by searching data in the PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Wiley, and EBSCO databases. Publication bias was determined by Egger’s test. In our meta-analysis, HCV-infected and non-HCV-infected patients from 49 studies were analyzed. The pooled ORs with 95% CIs for study factors were as follows: Injecting drug use 10.11 (8.54, 11.97); sharing needles and syringes 2.24 (1.78, 2.83); duration of drug use >5 years 2.39 (1.54, 3.71); unemployment 1.50 (1.22, 1.85); commercial sexual behavior 1.00 (0.73, 1.38); married or cohabiting with a regular partner 0.88 (0.79, 0.98), and sexual behavior without a condom 1.72 (1.07, 2.78). This study found that drug users with histories of injecting drug use, sharing needles and syringes, drug use duration of >5 years, and unemployment, were at increased risk of HCV infection. Our findings indicate that sterile needles and syringes should be made available to ensure safe injection. In view of that, methadone maintenance treatment can reduce or put an end to risky drug-use behaviors, and should be scaled up further, thereby reducing HCV infection.

scholarly journals Hepatitis C virus and risk of extrahepatic malignancies: a case-control study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Liu ◽  
Yongxiang Zhang ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Weihong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Research Group ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hcv Prevalence ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Control Study

AbstractEpidemiological studies have demonstrated an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Therefore, we investigated the risk of extrahepatic malignancies associated with HCV infection. Inpatients diagnosed with lymphoma, breast, thyroid, kidney, or pancreatic cancer (research group, n = 17,925) as well as inpatients with no malignancies (control group, n = 16,580) matched by gender and age were enrolled from The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2008 and December 2016. A case-control study was conducted by retrospective analysis. The difference in HCV prevalence was analyzed between the research group and the control group. Also, the research group was compared to the 2006 National Hepatitis C sero-survey in China. A total of 86 cases were positive for anti-HCV in the research group. Compared with the control group (103 cases were anti-HCV positive), no significant associations between extrahepatic malignancies and HCV infection were observed. Meanwhile, compared to the 2006 National Hepatitis C sero-survey, we observed a significant association between the chronic lymphoma leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and HCV seropositivity in females in the research group aged 1–59 years old (OR = 14.69; 95% CI, 1.94–111.01). HCV infection had a potential association with CLL/SLL in females aged 1–59 years old. Our study did not confirm an association between HCV infection and the risk of extrahepatic malignancies. In regions with a low HCV prevalence, the association between HCV infection and extrahepatic malignancies needs further investigation.

Association of chronic hepatitis C virus infection with an increased risk of lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e13562-e13562
Author(s):  
Ben Ponvilawan ◽  
Nipith Charoenngam ◽  
Pongprueth Rujirachun ◽  
Phuuwadith Wattanachayakul ◽  
Surapa Tornsatitkul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Chronic Hcv Infection ◽  
Chronic Hcv

e13562 Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with increased risk of multiple types of extrahepatic cancer, such as lymphomas, thyroid cancer and renal cancer. However, whether HCV infection also increases the risk of lung cancer is still inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in order to determine the relationship between chronic HCV infection and lung cancer. Methods: A systematic review was performed using EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from inception to November 2019 with search strategy that represents “hepatitis C virus” and “cancer”. Eligible studies must be cohort studies which include patients with chronic HCV infection and comparators without HCV infection, then follow them for incident lung cancer. Relative risk, incidence rate ratio (IRR), standardized incidence ratio, or hazard risk ratio of this association along with associated 95% confidence interval (CI) from each study were extracted and combined for the calculation of the pooled effect estimate using the random effect, generic inverse variance. Results: 20,459 articles were discovered using the aforementioned search strategy. After two rounds of review, eight studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included into the meta-analysis. Chronic HCV infection was significantly associated with increased risk of lung cancer with the pooled relative risk of 1.94 (95% CI, 1.56 – 2.42; I2 = 87%). Funnel plot was fairly symmetric and not suggestive of presence of publication bias. Conclusions: Chronic HCV infection is significantly associated with a 1.94-fold increased risk in the development of lung cancer compared to no infection.

Hepatitis C Virus Screening Among Adolescents Attending a Drug Rehabilitation Center

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Dominic Fernandes ◽  
Swagata Banik ◽  
Nazha Abughali ◽  
Bonisha Sthapit ◽  
Neelab Abdullah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Drug Rehabilitation ◽  
Rehabilitation Center ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
Hcv Testing

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has a strong association with intravenous drug use (IVDU). IVDU is a growing public health concern, even in the adolescent population. To our knowledge, there are no published HCV screening studies targeting high-risk adolescents who attend drug rehabilitation centers. This study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of HCV infection utilizing point-of-care (POC) testing at an adolescent drug rehabilitation center and gain a preliminary understanding of the acceptance rate for HCV screening in this high-risk population. Methods This single-center, observational study was conducted at a major drug rehabilitation center in northeast Ohio from July 2016 to June 2017. The consented adolescents who presented at the center were recruited to participate in HCV screening. The participants were administered a survey to assess their demographics and risk behavior profile followed by HCV testing utilizing a POC test. Results During the study period, 150 adolescents were admitted to the drug rehabilitation center, of whom 100 were approached and 85 agreed to participate. Forty percent of the participants (34/85) were females, and 78% (66/85) were white. HCV prevalence among participants was 5% (4/85), all of whom were females. History of heroin use was reported by 15% (13/85) and it was associated with HCV seropositivity; 100% (4/4) of all HCV-positive individuals reported the use of heroin vs only 11% (9/81) of HCV-negative individuals (P = .0004). Conclusions Our study showed a high prevalence of HCV among adolescents attending a drug rehabilitation center with high acceptance of POC HCV testing.

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