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Hepatitis C virus prevalence and serotypes associated with HIV in The Gambia

C I Mboto1, M Fielder, A Davies-Russell

  • 1Royal Victoria Hospital, Banjul, The Gambia.

British Journal of Biomedical Science
|October 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This study found Hepatitis C virus (HCV) serotype 2 is most common in The Gambia, particularly among individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection. Routine screening for HCV in HIV patients and blood donations is recommended.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) serotypes are crucial for understanding HCV disease, yet their epidemiology in West Africa remains understudied.
  • Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) significantly increases morbidity and mortality in HCV patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of HCV and its serotypes in HIV-infected individuals in The Gambia.
  • To investigate the association between HIV and HCV serotypes in the West African subregion.

Main Methods:

  • Screened 1500 individuals for HIV and HCV antibodies between July-December 2002.
  • Typed HCV serotypes in coinfected patients.
  • Analyzed HIV and HCV prevalence and co-infection rates.

Main Results:

  • Identified HIV prevalence at 6.7% and HCV at 1.6%, with a 0.6% co-infection rate.
  • HCV serotype 2 was most prevalent (58.1%), followed by serotype 1 (19.4%) and serotype 3 (6.5%).
  • HIV-1/HCV serotype 1 co-infection was 44.4%, and HIV-1/HCV serotype 2 co-infection was 33.3%.

Conclusions:

  • Findings suggest the West African subregion may be the origin of HCV serotype 2.
  • Highlights the need for routine HCV screening in HIV-infected individuals and blood donations in The Gambia.
  • Recommends further research to identify HCV sources in the region.

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