scholarly journals Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the Dallas County Jail: Implications for Screening, Prevention, and Linkage to Care

2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (6) ◽  
pp. 626-633
Author(s):  
Caroline M. Abe ◽  
Merilyne Aguwa ◽  
Michelle Zhao ◽  
Jacqueline Sullivan ◽  
Esmaeil Porsa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
County Jail ◽  
Health Insurance Status ◽  
Dallas County ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Hcv Screening

Objectives: Screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in jail provides an opportunity to educate and offer care to a high-risk population. We aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of HCV infection in jail; (2) describe the demographic characteristics, risk factors, and pre-incarceration health insurance status associated with HCV infection; and (3) examine the implementation of HCV screening in jail. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of an opt-out HCV screening program with HCV RNA confirmation and patient education at the Dallas County Jail from April 1 through November 2, 2017. We extracted data on test results, demographic characteristics, and release destination from electronic medical records. A nurse navigator recorded data on patient self-reported risk factors and pre-incarceration health insurance status. Results: Of 4089 incarcerated persons screened, 708 (17.3%) had a positive HCV antibody result. Of these, 641 (90.5%) had an HCV RNA test ordered; 576 (89.9%) had RNA tests completed, of whom 413 (71.7%) had a positive HCV RNA result. Of these 413, 352 (85.2%) received patient education. Half of HCV RNA-positive incarcerated persons (n = 207, 50.1%) were born outside the birth cohort (1945-1965). Among those with HCV infection, commonly reported risk factors were injection drug use (168 of 352; 47.8%) and tattoos (82 of 352; 23.4%). Most incarcerated persons with HCV infection (284 of 350; 81.1%) did not have health insurance. HCV antibody prevalence was higher among incarcerated persons released to prison (232 of 961; 24.1%) than to outside agencies (38 of 403; 9.4%) or the community (178 of 1026; 17.4%). Conclusions: Screening for HCV with RNA confirmation in jail provides an opportunity for disease education, transmission prevention, and navigation to HCV treatment. Future efforts should examine post-incarceration linkage to care.

scholarly journals Strategy for the Micro-Elimination of Hepatitis C among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus—A Hospital-Based Experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2509
Author(s):  
Pei-Yuan Su ◽  
Yang-Yuan Chen ◽  
Hsu-Heng Yen ◽  
Siou-Ping Huang ◽  
I-Ling Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Electronic Reminder ◽  
Reminder System ◽  
Induce Insulin Resistance ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Hcv Screening

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can induce insulin resistance, and patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a higher prevalence of HCV infection. Patient outcomes improve after HCV eradication in DM patients. However, HCV micro-elimination targeting this population has not been approached. Little is known about using electronic alert systems for HCV screening among patients with DM in a hospital-based setting. We implemented an electronic reminder system for HCV antibody screening and RNA testing in outpatient departments among patients with DM. The screening rates and treatment rates at different departments before and after system implementation were compared. The results indicated that the total HCV screening rate increased from 49.3% (9505/19,272) to 78.2% (15,073/19,272), and the HCV-RNA testing rate increased from 73.4% to 94.2%. The anti-HCV antibody seropositive rate was 5.7%, and the HCV viremia rate was 62.7% in our patient population. The rate of positive anti-HCV antibodies and HCV viremia increased with patient age. This study demonstrates the feasibility and usefulness of an electronic alert system for HCV screening and treatment among DM patients in a hospital-based setting.

scholarly journals 932. Universal Hepatitis C Virus Screening in a Tennessee Tertiary Care Emergency Department

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S31-S32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cody A Chastain ◽  
Jakea Johnson ◽  
Karen Miller ◽  
Katie Moore ◽  
Amanda Lako ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Grant Recipient ◽  
Age Cohort ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Hcv Screening

Abstract Background Despite hepatitis C virus (HCV) age cohort and risk factor screening recommendations, many at-risk individuals remain undiagnosed. Current screening practices may not adequately capture those at high risk for infection, especially in regions with increasing injection drug use (IDU). Universal HCV screening in a Tennessee tertiary care emergency department (ED) was introduced to help define regional epidemiology and to improve diagnosis and linkage to care. Methods This screening program was implemented in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center ED. Adult patients who underwent phlebotomy for clinical purposes were offered HCV screening. Samples were initially tested for HCV antibodies; if positive, samples were reflexed for HCV RNA testing. Patients with positive HCV RNA tests (i.e., active HCV infection) were notified, counseled, and offered linkage to care. Results A total of 11,637 screening tests were performed between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018, with 1,008 (8.7%) HCV antibody positive and 488 (4.2%) RNA positive. Of note, 81 (0.7%) were HCV antibody positive but RNA testing could not be performed due to insufficient sample volume. Several notable populations had high rates of HCV (Table 1). Importantly, 3.9% of people not born between 1945 and 1965 were HCV RNA positive, and they were the majority (63.5%) of patients with active HCV (Table 2). A minority (31.6%) of those with active HCV had a known history of IDU (Table 2). Conclusion HCV is common among patients presenting for emergency care at a Tennessee tertiary care ED. Universal screening identified many infections that would have been missed using age cohort and risk factors alone. ED HCV screening may be a useful method to augment guideline-based testing and intervene among populations not consistently screened. Disclosures C. A. Chastain, Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Grant Investigator and Research Contractor, Grant recipient and Research support. J. Johnson, Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. K. Miller, Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. J. H. Han, Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. W. H. Self, Gilead Sciences, Inc.: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient.

scholarly journals Implementation of a Large System-Wide Hepatitis C Virus Screening and Linkage to Care Program for Baby Boomers

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Castrejón ◽  
Kara W. Chew ◽  
Marjan Javanbakht ◽  
Romney Humphries ◽  
Sammy Saab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Baby Boomers ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Care Coordinator ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Hcv Screening

Abstract Background We implemented and evaluated a large health system-wide hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and linkage to care program for persons born between 1945 and 1965 (“baby boomers”). Methods An electronic health record (EHR) clinical decision support (CDS) tool for HCV screening for baby boomers was introduced in August 2015 for patients seen in the outpatient University of California, Los Angeles healthcare system setting. An HCV care coordinator was introduced in January 2016 to facilitate linkage to HCV care. We compared HCV testing in the year prior (August 2014–July 2015) to the year after (August 2015–July 2016) implementation of the CDS tool. Among patients with reactive HCV antibody testing, we compared outcomes related to the care cascade including HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) testing, HCV RNA positivity, and linkage to HCV specialty care. Results During the study period, 19606 participants were screened for HCV antibody. Hepatitis C virus antibody screening increased 145% (from 5676 patients tested to 13930 tested) after introduction of the CDS intervention. Screening increased across all demographic groups including age, sex, and race/ethnicity, with the greatest increases among those in the older age groups. The addition of an HCV care coordinator increased follow-up HCV RNA testing for HCV antibody positive patients from 83% to 95%. Ninety-four percent of HCV RNA positive patients were linked to care postimplementation. Conclusions Introduction of an EHR CDS tool and care coordination markedly increased the number of baby boomers screened for HCV, rates of follow-up HCV RNA testing, and linkage to specialty HCV care for patients with chronic HCV infection.

scholarly journals 920. Automated Hepatitis C Screening and Linkage to Care among Hospitalized Patients Born Between 1945-1965

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S551-S551
Author(s):  
Julia A Gasior ◽  
Rebecca Russell ◽  
Vincent Lo Re ◽  
Anne Norris ◽  
Schenevelyn Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Health System ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Linkage To Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Quality Improvement Initiative ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Hcv Screening

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects 4.1 million people in the United States, of whom 50% are unaware of their status. In 2016, Pennsylvania introduced a law mandating HCV screening for patients born between 1945-1965 in inpatient settings. However, HCV screening during hospital admissions has remained low in part due to limited knowledge on HCV testing requirements, interpretation of results, and treatment approaches. To overcome these barriers, we implemented a quality improvement initiative to automate HCV screening as part of hospital admission order sets, facilitate linkage to HCV treatment, and sought to evaluate its effectiveness. Methods Between September 2020 and May 2021, the automated inpatient HCV screening strategy was implemented at a single 328-bed academic hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Patients born between 1945-1965 without documentation of HCV screening or diagnosis in the electronic medical record had a HCV antibody with reflexive confirmatory RNA assay automatically populated in the admission order set. Admitting providers could opt out of the screening as appropriate. All patients with reactive HCV antibody were approached by the Hepatitis Linkage Team for result disclosure, counseling, and linkage to treatment for those with HCV viremia. Cascade of care was detailed for those linked to providers within the health system. Results During the initial 8 months of the program, 2,203 patients were screened for HCV, identifying 156 with reactive HCV antibody (7.1% seroprevalence). Among 147 with completed HCV RNA assay, 51 were viremic (34.7%). Fourteen viremic patients were not linked to care, including six with a terminal illness, two who declined linkage, and six who did not respond to linkage attempts. Nine were linked to care at other health systems. Among the 28 patients linked to providers in the health system, 50% completed initial visits, 42.8% were prescribed direct acting antivirals (DAA), and 21.4% completed therapy by May 2021. One person achieved sustained virologic response 12 weeks after treatment as of May 2021 (Figure 1). Figure 1. Cascade of HCV Care Among Patients Screened During Hospital Admission from September 2020 to May 2021 Conclusion Automated inpatient HCV screening is a viable strategy to identify people with HCV and facilitate linkage to care. Optimal strategies to ensure patients access and maintain care require further study. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Risk Factors and Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C among Patients Hospitalized at Mulago Hospital, Uganda

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. I. O'Reilly ◽  
P. Ocama ◽  
C. K. Opio ◽  
A. Alfred ◽  
E. Paintsil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Mulago Hospital ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Hiv Negative

The emergence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its associated sequelae in Africa is a cause for significant concern. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients are at an increased risk of contracting HCV infection due to similar risk factors and modes of transmission. We investigated the seroprevalence of hepatitis C in hospitalized HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients in Mulago Hospital, an academic hospital in Uganda. Blood samples were first tested for HCV antibodies, and positive tests were confirmed with HCV RNA PCR. We enrolled five hundred patients, half HIV-positive and half HIV negative. Overall, 13/500 patients (2.6%) tested positive for HCV antibodies. There was no difference in HCV antibody detection among HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. Out of all risk factors examined, only an age greater than 50 years was associated with HCV infection. Traditional risk factors for concurrent HIV and HCV transmission, such as intravenous drug use, were exceedingly rare in Uganda. Only 3 of 13 patients with detectable HCV antibodies were confirmed by HCV RNA detection. This result concurs with recent studies noting poor performance of HCV antibody testing when using African sera. These tests should be validated in the local population before implementation.

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

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.

DETEKSI ANTIBODI MULTIPEL HEPATITIS C DALAM DARAH DONOR

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
Ranti Permatasari ◽  
Aryati Aryati ◽  
Budi Arifah
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Core Protein ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Hcv Antibody

Hepatitis C (HCV) infection could be spread by blood transfusion. Screening of HCV in donor blood could prevent HCV infection to the recipient. HCV antibody test using rapid test of multiple antibody detection by immunochromatography method is an easy and rapid test that could detect four HCV antibodies separately. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of antibody HCV using multiple antibody detection rapid test in diagnosing HCV infection. This was an analytical observational study with a cross sectional design. The samples consisted of 42 donors’ blood serum from the Surabaya Branch of the Indonesian Red Cross which underwent HCV infection test using ELISA method. The samples were then tested using PCR HCV RNA as the gold standard and antibody HCV multiple antibodydetection rapid test The diagnostic value of HCV antibody test using multiple antibody detection rapid test by immunochromatography method showed a diagnostic sensitivity of 100%, diagnostic specificity of 75%, positive predictive value of 66.7% and negative predictive value of 100%, a diagnostic efficiency of 83.3%, with a positive probability ratio of 4 times. The most often positive antibody pattern was four (4) positive antibodies (core protein, NS3, NS4 and NS5). Core protein (CP) and NS3 were the most often positive antibodies. Based on this study result, the HCV antibody test using multiple antibody detection rapid test by immunochromatography method has a good diagnostic value.

scholarly journals 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 ◽  
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.

Evaluation of HCV RNA by PCR and Signal-to-Cutoff Ratios of HCV Antibody Assays for Diagnosis of HCV Infection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myeong Hee Kim ◽  
So Young Kang ◽  
Woo In Lee ◽  
Min Young Lee
Keyword(s):  
Operating Characteristic ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Immunoblot Assay ◽  
Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves ◽  
Antibody Assays ◽  
Recombinant Immunoblot Assay ◽  
Hcv Antibody ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Objective In this study, we assessed whether a hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA test could replace recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) and reduce unnecessary supplemental tests as the signal-to-cutoff (S/Co) ratio from anti-HCV antibody (Ab) tests. Methods Anti-HCV Ab tests were performed to screen for HCV infections, and RIBA and real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed for HCV RNA to confirm HCV infection. Receiver operating characteristic curves were evaluated to determine the optimal S/Co ratios for predicting HCV infection. Results The cutoff value for the S/Co ratio was 3.63 for predicting RIBA results and 10.6 for predicting HCV RNA results. Our data suggested that an S/Co ratio ≥10.6 indicated a high risk of active HCV infection. An S/Co ratio of 3.63 to 10.6 needed further evaluation and repeat HCV RNA testing. No further testing was required for S/Co ratios <3.63 or ≥10.6. Conclusion We determined that the S/Co ratio of the anti-HCV Ab test provides useful information to confirm HCV infections, including the need for further laboratory testing or clinical follow-up.

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