Hepatitis C virus in Zimbabwe.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis B is a common cause of chronic liver disease in Zimbabwe but other viral infections are also important. The prevalence of viral hepatitis C has not been previously described in healthy rural Zimbabwean adults.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of seropositivity to hepatitis C in rural healthy adults in Zimbabwe, and to determine if there is evidence of active liver disease in subjects who are seropositive.


METHODS
Cross sectional descriptive study.


METHODS
Rural communities around different parts of Zimbabwe, as part of a larger study into the prevalence and genetic pattern of iron overload.


METHODS
An initial 150 rural Zimbabweans over the age of 12 years.


METHODS
Presence of the following serological markers: hepatitis B surface antigen; antibodies to hepatitis C, B surface and B core antigens; hepatic enzymes and iron status determined on the basis of serum ferritin and transferrin saturation.


RESULTS
11 (7.7%) of the subjects were positive for antibodies to hepatitis C and they had significant elevations in hepatic enzymes and serum iron levels suggesting substantial hepatocellular damage. Twenty (14.1%) of the subjects were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, but they did not have significant elevations in hepatic enzymes or indirect measures of iron status.


CONCLUSIONS
Seropositivity for hepatitis C is common and is approximately half the prevalence of hepatitis B chronic carrier status. Chronic hepatitis C may be more damaging to the liver than chronic hepatitis B and, therefore, may be an important cause of liver disease in rural Zimbabwe.
Gangaidzo
I T
IT
Department of Medicine, University of Zimbabwe Medical School, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Moyo
V M
VM
Khumalo
H
H
Saungweme
T
T
Gomo
Z
Z
Rouault
T
T
Gordeuk
V R
VR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies