[Acute hepatitis due to hepatitis C virus infection in the adult population].
BACKGROUND
Knowledge of acute hepatitis C infection (AHC) is important to design effective prevention and treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and epidemiological features and outcomes of patients diagnosed with AHC.


METHODS
A retrospective clinical-epidemiological study was carried out in adult patients diagnosed with AHC between 2000 and 2008 in our hospital.


RESULTS
Sixteen patients were diagnosed. The most probable source of transmission was intravenous drug abuse in four patients, a percutaneous injury in three healthcare workers, a medical procedure in three patients and sexual contact in two patients. The source of infection was unknown in four patients. Diagnosis was based on acute clinical symptoms in eight patients, follow-up of healthcare injury in three patients and was fortuitous in five patients. Nine patients showed severe symptoms, while seven patients were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms. The four patients who received treatment were cured. Of the 12 patients that did not receive treatment, the disease became chronic in 58.3%. Progression to chronic disease was more frequent in patients without jaundice than in those with jaundice (85.7% vs 16.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Because medical procedures are still a risk factor for hepatitis C infection, active surveillance is required as well as compliance with prevention measures against parenteral transmission. The percentage of patients with jaundice who progress to chronic disease is low and consequently the start of treatment in these patients could be delayed according to their clinical course.
Hernández Febles
Melisa
M
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Rodríguez San Román
José Luis
JL
Martín Suárez
José María
JM
Pena-López
María José
MJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000821:virology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D000410:Alanine Transaminase