Prevalence of hepatitis C virus in alcoholic patients: role of parenteral risk factors

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is elevated in alcoholic patients, but the risk factors are unclear. The role of parenteral risk factors are indeterminated in this population. AIMS: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in alcoholic patients admitted to a detoxification unit and to evaluate the presence of underlying parenteral risk factors. METHODS: A total of 114 consecutive unselected alcoholic patients admitted to a single chemical dependency unit during 14 month were included. Epidemiological data and history of parenteral risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection were obtained with a standardized questionnaire. Blood was collected for determination of aminotransferases and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (ELISA-3). Positive samples were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and tested for genotype. RESULTS: Among the 114 alcoholics, 17 (15%) were anti-hepatitis C virus positive. Of these, 12 (71%) had detectable serum HCV-RNA by PCR. Genotype 1 was found in six cases and genotype 3 in five (one patient was undetermined). Forty-nine (43%) patients had elevated serum ALT and/or AST at baseline. The comparison between the 17 positive and the 97 negative patients showed significant differences in mean serum ALT levels (42 ± 41 IU/L vs. 22 ± 20 IU/L), rate of elevated ALT (65% vs. 34%), and presence of parenteral risk factors (94% vs. 10%). Comparison between alcoholic patients with and without elevated aminotransferases showed significant difference only in the rate of positive anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (24% vs. 7%). Furthermore, among the 17 anti-hepatitis C virus positive patients, the rate of detectable HCV-RNA was significantly higher in the 12 with elevated aminotransferases versus the 5 with normal aminotransferases (92% vs. 20%). CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies in alcoholics and the majority was confirmed by the presence of detectable HCV-RNA. Intravenous drug use was the main risk factor for hepatitis C virus infection in this population.

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Persistent hyperendemicity of hepatitis C virus infection in Taiwan: The important role of iatrogenic risk factors

Journal of Medical Virology ◽

10.1002/jmv.1097 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 30-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Chien-An Sun ◽

Hui-Chi Chen ◽

Sheng-Nan Lu ◽

Chien-Jen Chen ◽

Chih-Feng Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Hepatitis C Virus Infection

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Look-Back Study of Transfusion-Transmitted Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Iran

Hepatitis Monthly ◽

10.5812/hepatmon.108002 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (9) ◽

Author(s):

Fahimeh Ranjbar Kermani ◽

Sedigheh Amini-Kafiabad ◽

Kamran Mousavi Hosseini ◽

Mahtab Maghsudlu ◽

Zohreh Sharifi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Hcv Rna ◽

Hepatitis C Virus Infection ◽

Look Back ◽

Hcv Transmission ◽

First Time

Background: With the identification of blood donors with a subsequent positive result in HCV screening and the possibility of HCV transmission via their previous negative donations, the role of look-back investigation has been crucial in enhancing blood safety. A retrospective study was conducted to identify the fate of blood components from donors subsequently found to be confirmed HCV positive cases with previous negative donations. Objectives: This look-back study aimed to determine the transfusion-induced hepatitis C virus infection through previous HCV-negative donations of subsequent HCV positive blood donors in Iran. Methods: In this study, all serologically confirmed HCV positive blood donors across the country from December 2015 to June 2017 were included. A look-back process was conducted by tracing back previous HCV negative donations of subsequent HCV-positive blood donors to specific recipients, according to the IBTO instructions. The HCV RNA testing was carried out using an in-house one-step TaqMan real-time RT-PCR assay. Results: During the study period, 280 serologically confirmed HCV-positive blood donors were included, with 267 as first-time, nine as repeated, and three as regular donors. Of the participants, the first-time donors were excluded, the repeated donors were not eligible, and only the regular donors were selected for the look-back study. The HCV RNA was detected in one regular donor, but HCV infection was not detected in his previous donation recipient. In addition, more than two HCV risk factors were reported by each regular blood donor. Conclusions: According to the results, evidence of HCV transmission via previous blood transfusions and the risk of HCV infection was not observed among recipients. Due to the reporting of some HCV risk factors by the subjects, paying proper attention to the donor selection process is highly recommended.

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