Hepatitis C in a community in Upper Egypt: I. Cross-sectional survey

The prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was determined i n a cross-sectional survey in a village in Upper Egypt. Exposure and demogr aphic characteristics were obtained through a questionnaire. Antibody to he patitis C virus was assessed using a second generation enzyme immunoassay, and the presence of HCV RNA was tested using a reverse transcriptase - poly merase chain reaction. Collection of blood samples was targeted at those gr eater than or equal to 5 years old, and obtained from 62.8%. This report de scribes the community, the HCV infection characteristics of the subjects, a nd evaluates some factors associated with presence of anti-HCV. Of the 6,03 1 participants, 522 (8.7%) were anti-HCV positive. Prevalence was higher am ong males than females (11.3% versus 6.5%; P < 0.001). It was greater among those > 30 years of age than among those less than or equal to 30 years of age (20.0% versus 3.6%: P < 0.001). Those who were less educated, farmed, provided health care, and were currently married had a significantly higher anti-HCV prevalence than those who were not; however, these associations w ere not significant after adjusting for age. Although active infections wit h Schistosoma haematobium were not associated with anti-HCV, a history of p ant infection was (age-adjusted risk ratio [RR] = 2.1, 95% confidence inter val [CI] = 1.8, 2.4): 134 persons who had a history of receiving parenteral anti-schistosomal therapy had a higher age-adjusted RR (3.0; 95% CI = 2.5, 3.7) for anti-HCV than those who did not. Hepatitis C virus RNA was detect ed in 62.8% of the anti-HCV positive subjects. without significant variatio n by age, gender, education, or marital status. The prevalence of anti-HCV in Upper Egypt is high, albeit lower than in Lower Egypt, with continuing b ut limited transmission indicated by the lower prevalence in residents <les s than or equal to> 30 years old.