Epidemiologic and virologic study of hepatitis C virus infection in Morocco

Objectives - We prospectively studied 783 consecutive Moroccan patients to define: 1) the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (Ab), 2) the prevalence of other viral infections: HBs Aa, anti-HAV IgM, anti-HGV H GV RNA, 3) the risk factors of spreading spread HCV infection, and 4) the d istribution of HCV genotypes. Results - 60/783 (7.7%) patients had anti-HCV Ab (48 H/12 Fl, 26 (3.3%) HBs Ag, and 3 (0.3%) IgM anti-HAV. Anti-HGV Ab was found in 11/60 (18.3%) anti -HCV positive patients, and 6/38 (15.8%) anti-HCV negative patients. 2/22 ( 9%) serum anti-HCV positive and anti-HGV negative patients were positive fo r HGV RNA. The 60 HCV positive patients rarely had other viral infections: 3 (5%) HBs Ag, 11 (18.3%) anti-HGV positive, 2 (9%) HGV RNA positive, and n one had anti-HBc, IgM anti-HAV, or anti-HIV. HCV positive patients had more often undergone transfusion of blood products (21.7 vs 5.5% P < 0.0001), a nd dental treatment (55% vs 8.3% p < 0.0001). Patients with anti-HCV Ab fre quently had hepatitis lesions on liver biopsy, i.e. chronic active hepatiti s (n=44) or cirrhosis (n = 16). HCV RNA was positive in 45/60 (75%) anti-HC V positive patients. HCV genotypes were: 1b (n = 21, 47%), 2a/2c in = 13, 2 9%), 1a (n = 6, 13%), et 3 (n = 1, 2%). Conclusions - In our Moroccan population, the prevalence of HCV was high (7 .7%). Other viral infections (HBV, HAV, HGV) were rare.