title: Prevalence, determinants and genetic diversity of hepatitis C virus in the multi-ethnic population living in Suriname.
abstract: Little is known about the epidemiology of HCV in Suriname, a former Dutch colony in South America. To study the prevalence, determinants and genetic diversity of HCV, a one-month survey was conducted at the only Emergency Department in the capital Paramaribo. Participants (≥18 years) completed an interviewer-led standardized HCV risk-factor questionnaire, were tested for HCV-antibodies, and if positive also for HCV RNA. The overall HCV prevalence was 1.0% (22/2128 participants; 95%CI 0.7-1.5). Male sex (OR=4.11; 95%CI 1.30-13.01), older age (OR=1.06 per year increase; 95%CI 1.04-1.09), Javanese ethnicity (OR=7.84; 95%CI 3.25-18.89) and cosmetic tattooing (OR=31.7; 95%CI 3.25-323.87) were independently associated with HCV-infection. Phylogenetic analysis revealed six distinct HCV subtypes, all HCV-genotype 2 (HCV-2): subtype 2f (also circulating in Indonesia) plus five yet unassigned HCV-2 subtypes exclusively linked to Suriname.
authors.affiliation: Foundation for Scientific Research Suriname (SWOS), Leysweg 49, Paramaribo, Suriname; Research Center, Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Flustraat 1-3, Paramaribo, Suriname. Electronic address: msmacdonald@researchcentersuriname.org.
authors.forename: M Sigrid
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mac Donald-Ottevanger
authors.affiliation: Foundation for Scientific Research Suriname (SWOS), Leysweg 49, Paramaribo, Suriname.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vreden
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service, Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, 1018WT Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jannie J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: van der Helm
authors.affiliation: Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Plesmanlaan 125, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Thijs
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van de Laar
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam-Zuidoost, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Molenkamp
authors.affiliation: Diakonessenhuis, Zinniastraat 64, Paramaribo, Suriname.
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dams
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Flustraat 1-3, Paramaribo, Suriname.
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roosblad
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory, Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Flustraat 1-3, Paramaribo, Suriname.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Codrington
authors.affiliation: Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kernkampweg 5, Paramaribo, Suriname; Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO Healthy Living, Department Child Health, Schipholweg 77-89, 2316 ZL Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ashna D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Hindori-Mohangoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service, Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, 1018WT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam-Zuidoost, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010802:Phylogeny; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013532:Suriname / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Epidemiology; Hepatitis C; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Suriname