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Hepatitis C virus infection among elderly patients in a geriatric hospital

E L Marcus1, N Dahoudi, R Tur-Kaspa

  • 1Geriatric Department, Sarah Herzog Memorial Hospital, P.O.B. 35300, Jerusalem 91351, Israel.

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|November 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody prevalence was 1.8% in Jerusalem elderly patients. Most with antibodies did not have active HCV infection, indicating low HCV carrier rates in this geriatric population.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Geriatric Medicine

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health concern.
  • Prevalence data for HCV in elderly populations, particularly in geriatric settings, are limited.
  • Understanding HCV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) seroprevalence in vulnerable groups is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies and HCV viremia in elderly patients at a geriatric hospital in Jerusalem.
  • To assess the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA in the same cohort.
  • To evaluate the implications of these findings for HCV carrier status in the elderly.

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples from 273 elderly patients were tested for anti-HCV antibodies using serological assays.
  • HCV RNA was quantified in anti-HCV positive samples via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
  • HBsAg screening was performed, with positive samples further analyzed for HBV DNA.

Main Results:

  • Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 5 patients (1.8%).
  • HCV RNA was confirmed in only one of the five anti-HCV positive patients (20% of seropositives).
  • HBsAg was found in 2 patients (0.7%), with no detectable HBV DNA.

Conclusions:

  • Seropositivity for hepatitis C virus is relatively common in the studied elderly population.
  • The majority of elderly patients with anti-HCV antibodies are likely not active HCV carriers.
  • These findings highlight the need for targeted screening and management in geriatric healthcare settings.

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