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Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence and risk factors among patients with HIV infection
M C Mendes-Corrêa1, A A Barone, C Guastini
1AIDS Outpatient Clinic, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital das Clínicas, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil. cassiamc@uol.com.br
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is prevalent in HIV-positive patients, with intravenous drug use being a major risk factor. Sexual transmission also significantly contributes to HCV seroprevalence in this population.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a significant health burden, particularly in populations with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Understanding the prevalence and transmission dynamics of HCV in HIV-seropositive individuals is crucial for effective prevention and management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HCV infection among HIV-seropositive patients.
- To identify and analyze the key risk factors associated with HCV infection in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records for 1,457 HIV-seropositive patients.
- HCV infection screening using third-generation ELISA, with PCR confirmation for positive cases.
- Detailed assessment of potential risk factors including intravenous drug use, sexual behaviors, and transfusion history.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 17.7% (258/1457 patients).
- PCR confirmed HCV infection in 98% (81/82) of tested positive patients.
- Intravenous drug use (58.5%) was the leading risk factor, followed by sexual transmission (16.3% as partners of HIV patients, 17.5% promiscuous habits).
Conclusions:
- HCV infection is highly prevalent in HIV-seropositive individuals.
- While intravenous drug use is a primary driver, sexual transmission plays a substantial role in HCV spread within this population.
- Targeted interventions addressing both injection drug use and sexual risk behaviors are essential.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with HCV infection in a group of HIV seropositive patients. We analyzed the medical records of 1,457 patients. All patients were tested for HCV infection by third generation ELISA. Whenever possible, a sample of the positive patients was also tested for HCV by PCR. HCV positive patients were analyzed according to their risk factors for both infections. The prevalence of anti-HCV positive patients was 17.7% (258 patients). Eighty-two (82) of these patients were also tested by PCR and 81 were positive for HCV virus (98%). One hundred fifty-one (58.5%) were intravenous drug users (IDU); 42 (16.3%) were sexual partners of HIV patients; 23 (8.9%) were homosexual males; 12 (4.7%) had received blood transfusion; 61 (17.5%) had promiscuous sexual habits; 14 (5.4%) denied any risk factor; 12 (4.7%) were sexual partners of IDU. Two hundred four patients mentioned only one risk factor. Among them, 28 (10.9%) were sexual partners of HIV-positive patients. Although intravenous drug use was the most important risk factor for co-infection, sexual transmission seemed to contribute to the high HCV seroprevalence in this group of patients.