Epidemiology of hepatitis C in Greece.
Hepatitis C is a global health issue and constitutes a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. In this article, a comprehensive literature search was conducted for the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Greece, since data on the HCV prevalence, viremia and genotypes are important for developing strategies to manage or eliminate HCV infection. In addition, the pattern of HCV infection was analyzed according to the geographic region and the risk factors. These differences reflect not only distinct epidemiological characteristics among populations, but also differences on the strategy of data acquisition and quantification. Although there are not enough data, the estimation of the current prevalence of Hepatitis C in Greece ranges from 0.5% to 2%. The most important risk factors for HCV infection include blood product transfusion, intravenous drug use, chronic hemodialysis, organ transplantation, occupational exposure, sexual transmission, and vertical transmission. Because of lack of vaccine or effective post-exposure prophylaxis for HCV, the main focus of prevention is to recognize and control these risk factors. HCV infection in Greece is closely associated with the development of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. As far as the genotype distribution is concerned genotype 1 estimated to be 45%-47% and it constitutes the prevalent genotype in Greece, followed by genotype 3.
Christos Triantos, Christos Konstantakis, Paraskeui Tselekouni, Maria Kalafateli, Ioanna Aggeletopoulou, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Christos
C
Triantos
Christos Triantos, Christos Konstantakis, Paraskeui Tselekouni, Maria Kalafateli, Ioanna Aggeletopoulou, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Christos
C
Konstantakis
Christos Triantos, Christos Konstantakis, Paraskeui Tselekouni, Maria Kalafateli, Ioanna Aggeletopoulou, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Paraskeui
P
Tselekouni
Christos Triantos, Christos Konstantakis, Paraskeui Tselekouni, Maria Kalafateli, Ioanna Aggeletopoulou, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Maria
M
Kalafateli
Christos Triantos, Christos Konstantakis, Paraskeui Tselekouni, Maria Kalafateli, Ioanna Aggeletopoulou, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Ioanna
I
Aggeletopoulou
Christos Triantos, Christos Konstantakis, Paraskeui Tselekouni, Maria Kalafateli, Ioanna Aggeletopoulou, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Spilios
S
Manolakopoulos
D001803:Blood Transfusion; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005838:Genotype; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006282:Health Personnel; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D014766:Viremia
Epidemiology; Greece; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C virus infection; Prevalence
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