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A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
Published on: June 26, 2014
Surveillance of acute hepatitis C in Cairo, Egypt
Maha M El Gaafary1, Claire Rekacewicz, Amira Gamal Abdel-Rahman
1Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Surveillance in Cairo hospitals identified acute hepatitis C cases. Minor community exposures, including dental procedures, significantly contribute to hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health concern.
- Accurate diagnosis of acute hepatitis C is crucial for effective management and control.
- Limited data exists on the specific transmission routes of acute hepatitis C in Cairo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a surveillance system for diagnosing acute hepatitis C in Cairo.
- To identify risk factors and transmission routes associated with acute hepatitis C in the study population.
Main Methods:
- A surveillance study was conducted in two fever hospitals in Cairo from May to November 2002.
- Patients were categorized into definite and probable acute hepatitis C based on viral markers and clinical criteria.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, anti-HCV antibody, and alanine aminotransferase levels were assessed.
Main Results:
- Out of 315 recruited patients, 115 had acute hepatitis A, 89 had acute hepatitis B, and 111 had non-A non-B acute hepatitis.
- Among patients with complete data (n=309), 3.9% had definite acute hepatitis C and 3.6% had probable acute hepatitis C.
- Identified risk factors for definite acute hepatitis C included dental exposure (5 patients) and intravenous drug use (2 patients).
Conclusions:
- Hospital-based surveillance is effective for diagnosing acute hepatitis C in Cairo.
- Minor community exposures, such as dental procedures, play a substantial role in local HCV transmission.
Abstract:
Surveillance of acute hepatitis has been set up in two fever hospitals in Cairo to diagnose acute hepatitis C. Patients were categorized as definite acute hepatitis C with positive hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and without anti-HCV antibody, or probable acute hepatitis C with positive HCV RNA, positive anti-HCV antibody, alanine aminotransferase >/=4 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), and high risk parenteral exposure in the 1--3 months prior to the beginning of symptoms. From May to November 2002, 315 patients were recruited in the study. Of these, 115 (36.5%) had acute hepatitis A, 89 (28.3%) had acute hepatitis B, and 111 (35.2%) had non-A non-B acute hepatitis. Of the total with complete data (n=309), 12 (3.9%, 95% CI=2.0%-6.7%) had definite acute hepatitis C, and 11 (3.6%, 95% CI=1.8%-6.3%) had probable acute hepatitis C. In patients with definite acute hepatitis C, dental exposure (n=5) and intravenous drug use (n=2), were the only high risk procedures found in the 6 months prior to diagnosis. Five patients had no identifiable parenteral exposure. In conclusion, results from this study suggest that acute hepatitis C can be diagnosed by surveillance of acute hepatitis in hospital settings in Cairo and that minor community exposures contribute substantially to local HCV transmission.
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