[Low prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in a prisoner population from Maracaibo, Venezuela].
BACKGROUND
The high risk behaviors observed in prison centers have favored the transmission of hepatitis C virus infection. The main risk factor to acquire hepatitis C virus infection seems to be the use of intravenous drugs. In Venezuela, the prevalence of the infection in these centers is unknown since studies of the hepatitis C virus there are lacking.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus and the risk factors involved in the transmission in prisoner populations.


METHODS
A sample of 200 prisoners was studied from Sabaneta Jail, Maracaibo, Venezuela. The ages were between 18-69 years (average +/- DS: 31.6+/-9.9 years). Serum samples were tested by a fourth generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA and a confirmatory assay INNO-LIA. Both kits were from Innogenetic Laboratories N.V. (Belgium). Viral RNA was tested by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
The ELISA assay determined a hepatitis C virus prevalence of 5.0% (10/200); 3/200 (1.5%) individuals were positive by both INNO-LIA and RT-PCR tests.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in this population was very low, suggesting a low circulation of the virus in this environment and a low level of associated risk behaviors.
Monsalve-Castillo
Francisca
F
Cátedra de Virología, Escuela de Bioanálisis, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Estado Zulia, Venezuela. monsalve22000@hotmail.com
Chacín-Bonilla
Leonor
L
Atencio
Ricardo José
RJ
Porto
Leticia Denys
LD
Costa-León
Luciana Ana
LA
Estévez
Jesús Enrique
JE
Callejas-Valero
Diana Estela
DE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011677:Punctures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral