title: [Low prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in a prisoner population from Maracaibo, Venezuela].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Virología, Escuela de Bioanálisis, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Estado Zulia, Venezuela. monsalve22000@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Monsalve-Castillo
authors.forename: Leonor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chacín-Bonilla
authors.forename: Ricardo José
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Atencio
authors.forename: Leticia Denys
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Porto
authors.forename: Luciana Ana
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Costa-León
authors.forename: Jesús Enrique
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Estévez
authors.forename: Diana Estela
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Callejas-Valero
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral