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Hepatitis C--the Malaysian story
Insights
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies were prevalent across various Malaysian populations, particularly in intravenous drug users (IVDU). Parenteral drug use, transfusion, and dialysis were key transmission routes for HCV, with co-infection alongside Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) noted in chronic liver disease.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) are significant global health concerns.
- Understanding the sero-prevalence and transmission of these viruses is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies in a Malaysian population.
- To investigate the association between HCV and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections.
- To identify the primary modes of HCV transmission within the studied population.
Main Methods:
- A sero-prevalence study involving 1,434 serum samples from eleven distinct risk groups.
- Utilized sensitive recombinant DNA second-generation Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) kits for antibody detection.
- Included diverse groups such as intravenous drug users (IVDU), haemophiliacs, blood donors, and patients with chronic liver conditions.
Main Results:
- HCV antibodies were detected in all groups except laboratory and dialysis staff, with prevalence ranging from 3% (blood donors) to 85% (IVDU).
- Identified parenteral drug use, transfusions, and dialysis as primary HCV transmission routes.
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) was the main cause of chronic liver disease (CLD) (75%), with co-infection of HCV and HBV in 10% of CLD cases. HCV alone was implicated in only 1.5% of CLD.
Conclusions:
- HCV infection is widespread in Malaysia, with significant prevalence in high-risk groups like IVDU.
- Parenteral exposure routes are critical for HCV transmission.
- While HBV is the dominant viral agent in chronic liver disease, co-infection with HCV is common, and HCV plays a smaller role as a sole etiological agent.
Abstract:
We studied the presence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies in a defined Malaysian population and examined the association, if any, between HCV and the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), using sensitive recombinant DNA second generation Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) test kits. This sero-prevalence study comprised 1,434 sera from eleven distinct groups comprising intravenous drug users (IVDU), haemophiliacs, male homosexuals, female prostitutes, healthy blood donors, staff of dialysis unit and laboratory personnel, chronic renal failure patients undergoing dialysis (CRFD), patients with liver cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, chronic persistent hepatitis and primary liver cancer. Except in laboratory personnel and dialysis staff, HCV antibodies were detected in each group of patients ranging from 3% in blood donors to 85% in IVDU. The main modes of HCV transmission identified were parenteral drug use, transfusion and/or dialysis related. The HBV was found to be the major viral etiological agent in 75% of chronic liver disease (CLD); while in 10% of cases both HCV and HBV were detected. HCV was implicated as the sole viral agent in only a small proportion (1.5%) of patients with chronic liver disease.