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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
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Universal hepatitis C screening in genitourinary medicine
1Eastern and Coastal Kent Community Services, Gate Clinic, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3NG, UK.
International Journal of STD & AIDS
|September 21, 2010
Summary
Hepatitis C testing in genitourinary medicine services identified all infections in patients with risk factors. Universal screening is not necessary, as targeted testing of high-risk individuals is effective for hepatitis C detection.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Genitourinary (GU) medicine services historically provided universal hepatitis C (HCV) testing.
- The effectiveness of universal versus targeted screening for HCV remains a key public health question.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if a significant number of hepatitis C cases would be missed by implementing targeted screening based on risk factors.
- To inform future screening guidelines within GU medicine services.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case-note review was conducted for all hepatitis C cases diagnosed in 2008.
- Data from approximately 30,000 screening tests were analyzed.
- Hepatitis C cases were assessed for identifiable risk factors.
Main Results:
- Twenty-three cases of hepatitis C were diagnosed; 19 were available for review.
- 53% of cases represented resolved infections, and 47% represented chronic active hepatitis.
- All diagnosed hepatitis C infections were associated with identifiable risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis C screening in GU medicine services identified infections exclusively in individuals with known risk factors.
- Current guidelines are being revised to recommend targeted hepatitis C screening for high-risk populations only.
- Targeted screening is deemed sufficient for effective hepatitis C case detection in this setting.
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