Acute Hepatitis C in Brazil: Results of a National Survey

作者：Paiva Ferreira Adalgisa de Souza; Perez Renata de Mello; Gomes Ferraz Maria Lucia; Lewis Ximenez Lia Laura; Pereira Joao Luis; Lerias de Almeida Paulo Roberto; de Mattos Angelo Alves

来源：Journal of Medical Virology, 2011, 83(10): 1738-1743.

DOI：10.1002/jmv.22175

• acute hepatitis C
• Brazil
• epidemiology
• HCV
• risk factors

The incidence of acute hepatitis C has decreased in the world. However, new cases are still reported. The objective of this study was to obtain data of acute hepatitis C in Brazil and to identify risk factors of transmission, diagnostic criteria, clinical presentation, evolution, and treatment. A questionnaire was sent to all members of the Brazilian Society of Hepatology. Sixteen centers participated with a total of 170 cases between 2000 and 2008. Among them, 37 had chronic renal failure on hemodialysis and were evaluated separately. The main diagnostic criterion in non-uremic patients was ALT (alanine aminotransferase) elevation associated with risk factors. In patients with chronic renal failure, anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) sero-conversion was the most frequent criterion. Among the 133 non-uremic patients the main risk factors were hospital procedures, whereas in hemodialysis patients, dialysis was the single risk factor in 95% of the cases. Jaundice was more frequent in non-uremic patients (82% vs. 13%; P < 0.001) and ALT levels were higher in these individuals (P < 0.001). Spontaneous clearance was more frequent in non-uremic patients (51% vs. 3%; P < 0.001). Sixty-five patients were treated: 39 non-urennic patients and 26 on dialysis. Sustained virological response rates were 60% for non-uremic and 58% for uremic patients (P = 0.98). There was no association of these rates with the study variables. These findings show that cases of acute hepatitis C are still occurring and have been related predominantly to hospital procedures. Measures to prevent nosocomial transmission should be adopted rigorously and followed to minimize this important source of infection observed in this survey. J. Med. Virol. 83:1738-1743, 2011.

• 出版日期2011-10