title: Association between Schistosomiasis mansoni and hepatitis C: systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To perform a systematic review of the prevalence of the HCV/ S. mansoni co-infection and associated factors in Schistosoma mansoni -infected populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The bibliographic search was carried out using the Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, Cochrane Library and Ibecs databases. The criteria for the studies' selection and the extraction data were based on systematic review methods. Forty five studies were found, with nine being excluded in a first screening. Thirteen articles were used for data extraction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The HCV infection rates in schistosomiasis populations range from 1% in Ethiopia to 50% in Egypt. Several studies had poorly defined methodologies, even in areas characterized by an association between hepatitis C and schistosomiasis, such as Brazil and Egypt, which meant conclusions were inconsistent. HCV infection rates in schistosomotic populations were heterogeneous and risk factors for acquiring the virus varied widely.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the limitations, this review may help to identify regions with higher rates of hepatitis C and schistosomiasis association. However, more studies are necessary for the development of public health policies on prevention and control of both diseases.
authors.affiliation: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, RecifePEBrasil.
authors.forename: Daniele Silva de Moraes
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Van-Lume
authors.forename: Maria de Fátima Pessoa Militão de
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: Albuquerque
authors.forename: Alexandre Ignácio de
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia Coutinho
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Domingues
authors.forename: Edmundo Pessoa de Almeida
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Clarice Neuenschwander Lins de
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.forename: Silvia Maria Lucena
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Montenegro
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D060085:Coinfection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*