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Hepatitis C virus among blood donors in Lubumbashi, DRC: Seroprevalence and molecular characterisation
A Kabamba-Tshikongo1, H Manya-Mboni2, C Mwamba-Mulumba3
1Laboratoire de Biologie Clinique, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Centre d'Excellence et d'Expertise des hépatites virales et autres pathologies, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Pôle de Microbiologie, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence in Lubumbashi, DRC, is 4.8%, with genotypes 3a, 4, and 7 identified. This highlights the need for improved transfusion safety and better therapeutic management of HCV infections.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a significant global health challenge.
- Limited data exists on HCV genotype distribution in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
- Understanding HCV epidemiology is crucial for effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) among blood donors in Lubumbashi, DRC.
- To investigate the distribution of HCV genotypes in this population.
- To identify socio-demographic factors associated with HCV infection.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among blood donors.
- Anti-HCV antibodies were detected using rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and confirmed by Chemiluminescent immuno-assay (CLIA).
- Viral load was determined by Nucleic Acid Amplification test (NAT), and genotyping was performed using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).
Main Results:
- The overall seroprevalence of HCV was 4.8%.
- HCV genotypes identified were predominantly genotype 4 (90.0%), with smaller proportions of genotypes 3a (5.0%) and 7 (5.0%).
- Biochemical parameter disturbances and associations with irregular family and volunteer donors were observed in positive HCV blood donors.
Conclusions:
- Lubumbashi exhibits medium endemicity for HCV, necessitating strategies to enhance transfusion safety.
- This study is the first to report the presence of HCV genotypes 3a, 4, and 7 in Lubumbashi, DRC.
- These findings will aid in therapeutic management and contribute to HCV genotype mapping in the region.
Objectives:
To date, no study has been done yet on the distribution of Hepatitis C virus genotypes in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. The objective of this work was to determine the seroprevalence and study the distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes among blood donors in Lubumbashi, DRC.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional descriptive study among blood donors. The detection of anti-HCV antibodies was carried out by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) then confirmed by Chemiluminescent immuno-assay (CLIA). Viral load was determined by Nucleic Acid Amplification test (NAT) on Panther system and genotyping by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) on Sentosa platform.
Results:
The obtained seroprevalence was 4.8%. Genotypes 3a (5.0%), 4 (90.0%) and 7 (5.0%) and a few drug resistance mutations were identified in the study population. Significant disturbances of some studied biochemical parameters (HDL-cholesterol, direct bilirubin, transaminases, ALP, GGT and albumin) have been observed in positive HCV blood donors. Irregular family and volunteer donors have been found as the socio-demographic characteristics associated with hepatitis C.
Conclusion:
With a seroprevalence of 4.8% obtained among blood donors, Lubumbashi is in an area with medium endemicity for HCV, highlighting the need to implement strategies aiming to improve transfusion safety among blood recipients in Lubumbashi. This study reports for the first time the presence of HCV strains of genotypes 3a, 4 and 7. These results might allow better therapeutic management of HCV infections and contribute to the development of the mapping of HCV genotypes in Lubumbashi and DRC as well.
