The impact of ethnicity on hepatitis C virus treatment decisions and outcomes

Risk Factors Associated with HCV Among Opioid-Dependent Patients in a Multisite Study

We examined risk factors associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among opioid-dependent patients enrolled into medication-assisted therapy (buprenorphine or methadone) to determine factors affecting chronic infection. Patients (N = 1039) were randomized as part of a larger, multisite clinical trial sponsored by the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network assessing liver function. HCV status was first assessed with an antibody screen; if positive, then current infection was determined with an antigen screen testing for detectable virus. Patients were classified as HCV negative, HCV positive but have cleared the virus, or as having chronic HCV. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine demographic and behavioral correlates of the three groups. Thirty-four percent of patients were classified with chronic infection and 14% had evidence of prior infection with apparent clearing of the virus. Chronic infection was associated with recent injection drug use and cocaine use. Chronic HCV infection was also associated with being older and Hispanic. Age, ethnicity, and current drug use increase the likelihood of being chronically infected with HCV. Strategies targeting high risk subgroups can aid in preventing further disease escalation.

The potential impact of P53 and APO-1 genetic polymorphisms on hepatitis C genotype 4a susceptibility

The hepatitis C virus (HCV), the main cause of morbidity and mortality, is endemic worldwide. HCV causes cirrhosis and other complications that often lead to death. HCV is most common in underdeveloped nations, with the highest prevalence rates in Egypt. Tumor suppressor gene (P53) induces the expression of apoptotic antigen-1 gene (APO-1) by binding to its promoter for mediating apoptosis; an important mechanism for limiting viral replication. This study aims at investigating the impact of P53 72 Arg/Pro and APO-1 -670 A/G polymorphisms on HCV genotype 4a susceptibility. Two hundred and forty volunteers were enrolled in this study and divided into two major groups; 160 HCV infected patient group and 80 healthy control group. HCV patients were classified according to Metavir scoring system into two subgroups; 72 patients in F0/1-HCV subgroup (patients with no or mild fibrotic stages) and 38 patients in F3/4-HCV subgroup (patients with advanced fibrotic stages). Quantification of HCV-RNA by qRT-PCR and fibrotic scores as well as genotyping of HCV-RNA, P53 at 72 Arg/Pro, and APO-1 at -670 A/G were performed for all subjects. It was resulted that F0/1-HCV patients have significant differences of P53 at 72 (Pro/Pro and Arg/Arg) genotypes and dominant/recessive genetic models as well as APO-1 -670 A/A genotype and dominant genetic model as compared to F3/4-HCV patients. Moreover, HCV patients have significant differences of P53 at 72 (Pro/Pro) genotype and recessive genetic model as well as APO-1 -670 A/A genotype and dominant genetic model as compared to those of healthy individuals. Finally, it was concluded that P53 rs 1042522 (Pro/Pro and Arg/Arg) genotypes and APO-1 rs 1800682 A/A genotype may be potentially used as sensitive genetic markers for HCV genotype 4a susceptibility.