title: Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and HCV genotypes among hemophiliacs in the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil: analysis of serological and virological parameters.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to analyze HCV serological and virological parameters from hemophiliacs in the State of Bahia. Anti-HCV was investigated by ELISA in a cohort of 268 hemophiliacs A/B who were followed-up in a reference unit for hemotherapy in the State of Bahia. HCV viremia and genotypes were also determined from a subset of 66 anti-HCV seropositive hemophiliacs. Seroprevalence among hemophiliacs was 42.2% (95% CI 36.5-48.1) and was significantly higher (p<0.05) according to age > or =10 years, presence of factor VIII/IX inhibitory antibodies and other infection markers. None of the hemophiliacs less than 5 years of age were anti-HCV seropositive. Viremia was detectable in 77.3% (51/66). HCV genotype 1 (74%) was the most prevalent followed by genotype 3 (22%) and genotype 2 (4%). Our results indicate that HCV prevalence is still high among hemophiliacs, although HCV transmission was not observed in young hemophiliacs.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pathology and Molecular Biology, Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, BA, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciano Kalabric
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Maria Betânia Souza da
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Gisele Barreto
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Itatiana Ferreira
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Rodart
authors.forename: Fernando Quadros
authors.initials: FQ
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Nelma P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Raymundo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paraná
authors.forename: Aurelino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Mitermayer Galvão dos
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000276:immunology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D002836:Hemophilia B / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies