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Published on: November 15, 2013
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) significantly impacts liver disease in Mali. This study found high HCV seroprevalence in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma patients, with genotype 2a/2c being most common.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic liver diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, pose a significant health burden globally.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major etiological factor for chronic liver disease worldwide.
- Understanding HCV seroprevalence and genotype distribution is crucial for disease management and prevention strategies, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the seroprevalence and genotypes of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in patients with chronic liver diseases (cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma) in Bamako, Mali.
- To compare HCV seroprevalence in patients with chronic liver diseases to a control group of blood donors.
- To assess the role of HCV in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in the study population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bamako, Mali.
- Participants included 91 patients with chronic liver diseases (53 cirrhosis, 38 hepatocellular carcinoma) and 92 healthy blood donors as controls.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for initial screening, with positive results confirmed by Recombinant Immunoblot Assay (RIBA). HCV genotyping was performed on positive samples.
Main Results:
- Overall HCV seroprevalence was 15.4% in liver disease patients (15.1% in cirrhosis, 21% in hepatocellular carcinoma) compared to 2.2% in blood donors.
- False positive reactions were observed with ELISA (3.3% in patients, 1.1% in controls) but were excluded after RIBA confirmation.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) was associated in 5.6% of HCV-positive cases.
- HCV genotype 2a/2c was highly prevalent (85.7%) among the HCV-positive patients.
Conclusions:
- HCV plays a significant role in the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in Mali.
- The high prevalence of genotype 2a/2c suggests specific transmission dynamics or etiological patterns in the region.
- Routine screening for HCV in patients with chronic liver disease and blood donors is recommended in Mali.
Abstract:
Summary A cross-sectional study led in Bamako analyzed the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its genotypes among 91 patients carrying chronic liver diseases at the stage of cirrhosis (53) or hepato cellular carcinoma (38) and, on comparative basis in 92 blood donors as control population. False serologic reactions were found with ELISA (3/91 either 3,3% of the liver diseases and 1/92 or 1,1% of the control). Positive tests by ELISA confirmed by a RIBA test were finally considered. Concerning all the liver diseases, the seroprevalence of HCV was 15,4% including 15,1% in cirrhosis, 21% in hepatocellular carcinoma patients versus 2,2% in blood donors. The HBs antigen was associated in 5,6% of the cases In the hepatite C population, genotype 2a/2c was definitely prevalent, about 85,7%. Thus the role of the HCV in genesis of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in Mali, appears significant.
