Prevalence, impact and risk factors of hepatitis C infection

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a significant global health challenge.
• Understanding HCV prevalence and risk factors in specific populations is crucial for effective control strategies.
• Egyptian military recruits represent a unique demographic for studying infectious disease transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of HCV infection among Egyptian military recruits.
• To identify associated risk factors for HCV acquisition.
• To assess the impact of HCV infection, alone and in co-infection, on liver function.

Main Methods:

• Sera from 726 military recruits were tested for HCV antibodies using second-generation ELISA.
• Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and schistosomiasis status were also evaluated.
• Liver function tests were performed to assess the impact of infections.

Main Results:

• The overall prevalence of HCV antibodies was 30.4%.
• HCV prevalence was higher in recruits with hepatitis B (30.0%) and/or schistosomiasis (36.8% and 48.8% for co-infections).
• Parenteral exposure was identified as the primary transmission route; blood transfusion played a minor role. Single HCV infection showed minimal impact on liver function, while co-infections significantly impaired liver function and increased morbidity.

Conclusions:

• HCV infection is prevalent in Egyptian military recruits, with parenteral exposure being a key risk factor.
• Co-infection with hepatitis B and/or schistosomiasis exacerbates liver damage and increases disease severity.
• Targeted screening and prevention strategies are recommended for this population.