Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and HCV genotypes among hemophiliacs in the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil: analysis of serological and virological parameters

• Main Author: Silva,Luciano Kalabric
• Publication Date: 2005
• Other Authors: Silva,Maria Betânia Souza da, Lopes,Gisele Barreto, Rodart,Itatiana Ferreira, Costa,Fernando Quadros, Santana,Nelma P., Paraná,Raymundo, Santana,Aurelino, Reis,Mitermayer Galvão dos
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Download full: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822005000600010
• topic: Hepatitis C virus; Hemophilia; Prevalence; Genotype; Bahia

The objective of the present study was to analyze HCV serological and virological parameters from hemophiliacs in the State of Bahia. Anti-HCV was investigated by ELISA in a cohort of 268 hemophiliacs A/B who were followed-up in a reference unit for hemotherapy in the State of Bahia. HCV viremia and genotypes were also determined from a subset of 66 anti-HCV seropositive hemophiliacs. Seroprevalence among hemophiliacs was 42.2% (95% CI 36.5-48.1) and was significantly higher (p<0.05) according to age >10 years, presence of factor VIII/IX inhibitory antibodies and other infection markers. None of the hemophiliacs less than 5 years of age were anti-HCV seropositive. Viremia was detectable in 77.3% (51/66). HCV genotype 1 (74%) was the most prevalent followed by genotype 3 (22%) and genotype 2 (4%). Our results indicate that HCV prevalence is still high among hemophiliacs, although HCV transmission was not observed in young hemophiliacs.