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A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
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The prevalence of viral hepatitis C in Latvia: a population-based study

Ieva Tolmane1, Baiba Rozentale, Jazeps Keiss

  • 1Hepatology Department, State Agency, Infectology Center of Latvia, Riga, Latvia. ieva.tolmane@inbox.lv

Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|December 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in Latvia was 2.4%, and hepatitis C virus RNA (HCV-RNA) prevalence was 1.7%. Both anti-HCV and HCV-RNA were more common in men than women.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Chronic viral hepatitis C (VHC) affects approximately 170 million people globally, with over 9 million in Europe.
  • Understanding the prevalence of VHC in specific regions is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in Latvia.
  • To ascertain the prevalence of active hepatitis C virus RNA (HCV-RNA) viremia in Latvia.

Main Methods:

  • A multistage randomized selection of 42 primary care physicians (PCPs) across Latvia.
  • 1651 individuals were invited for anti-HCV screening via ELISA, with positive results confirmed by Western blot.
  • HCV-RNA testing using polymerase chain reaction was performed on individuals with confirmed anti-HCV antibodies.

Main Results:

  • Out of 1459 tested subjects, 3.9% were initially positive for anti-HCV, with a confirmed prevalence of 2.4%.
  • HCV-RNA prevalence was found to be 1.7% among the tested population.
  • Both anti-HCV (3.8% vs 1.7%) and HCV-RNA (3% vs 1%) prevalence were significantly higher in men compared to women.

Conclusions:

  • The confirmed prevalence of anti-HCV in Latvia is 2.4%, and HCV-RNA prevalence is 1.7%.
  • Hepatitis C virus infection shows a higher prevalence in men than in women in Latvia.
Abstract

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