HCV-related morbidity in a rural community of Egypt

J Med Virol. 2006 Sep;78(9):1185-9. doi: 10.1002/jmv.20679.

Abstract

The origin of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic in Egypt has been attributed to intravenous schistosomiasis treatment in rural areas in the 1960s to 70s. The objective of this study was to estimate the HCV-related morbidity in a rural area where mass schistosomiasis treatment campaigns took place 20-40 years before. The study sample included 2,425 village residents aged 18-65 years recruited through home-based visits. Overall, HCV antibody prevalence was 448/2,425 = 18.5% (95% CI = 16.9-20.1%), reaching 45% in males over 40 years, and 30% in females over 50 years. Of those with HCV antibodies, 284/448 (63.4%, 95% CI = 58.7-67.9%) had chronic HCV infection, among which 107/266 (40.2%, 95% CI = 34.3-46.4%) had elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT). As part of pre-treatment screening, 26 consenting patients had a liver biopsy: 13 (50.0%) had a treatment indication. Thus, of all patients with HCV antibodies, 13 (2.9%) were eligible for treatment and willing to be treated. The relatively low level of morbidity observed in this study is discussed in view of co-factors of HCV infection progression, such as young age at infection, absence of alcohol intake, the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection, and the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Antimony Potassium Tartrate / administration & dosage
  • Biopsy
  • Disease Progression
  • Egypt / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C / blood
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis C / pathology
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous / adverse effects
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Rural Population
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / prevention & control
  • Schistosomicides / administration & dosage
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • Schistosomicides
  • Antimony Potassium Tartrate
  • Alanine Transaminase