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Mohamoud YA, Riome S, Abu-Raddad LJ. Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in the Arabian Gulf countries: Systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence. Int J Infect Dis 2016; 46:116-25. [PMID: 26996460 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to perform a systematic review and synthesize epidemiological data on hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the Arabian Gulf countries, and to assess the country-specific prevalence among nationals and expatriate populations. METHODS A systematic review of HCV antibody prevalence and incidence in the Arabian Gulf countries was conducted, based on the items outlined in the PRISMA statement. Meta-analyses were performed incorporating inverse variance weighting and using a random-effects model to pool summary estimates of HCV prevalence among general population groups, for nationals and the entire resident population. RESULTS A total of 557 prevalence measures and one incidence measure were identified for the Arabian Gulf countries. HCV prevalence among nationals was 0.24% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02-0.63) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 0.44% (95% CI 0.29-0.62) in Kuwait, 0.51% (95% CI 0.43-0.59) in Qatar, and 1.65% (95% CI 1.40-1.91) in Saudi Arabia. No data were available for Bahrain or Oman. Among the entire resident populations, HCV prevalence was 0.30% (95% CI 0.23-0.38) in Bahrain, 0.41% (95% CI 0.35-0.46) in Oman, 1.06% (95% CI 0.51-1.81) in Qatar, 1.45% (95% CI 0.75-2.34) in Kuwait, 1.63% (95% CI 1.42-1.84) in Saudi Arabia, and 1.64% (95% CI 0.96-2.49) in UAE. A higher prevalence was observed among expatriate populations such as Egyptians. Among the high-risk populations, HCV prevalence was as high as 78.6% in the multi-transfused and 74.6% in people who inject drugs. CONCLUSIONS National-level HCV prevalence in the Arabian Gulf region is comparable to global levels. A higher prevalence is found in specific expatriate populations, reflecting the prevalence in their countries of origin. Most exposures appear to occur in high-risk groups and these are often linked to medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousra A Mohamoud
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medical College - Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation, Education City, PO Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Suzanne Riome
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medical College - Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation, Education City, PO Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
| | - Laith J Abu-Raddad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medical College - Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation, Education City, PO Box 24144, Doha, Qatar; Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, New York, USA; College of Public Health, Hamad bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Education City, Doha, Qatar.
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Al Ashgar HI, Khan MQ, Al-Ahdal M, Al Thawadi S, Helmy AS, Al Qahtani A, Sanai FM. Hepatitis C genotype 4: genotypic diversity, epidemiological profile, and clinical relevance of subtypes in Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Gastroenterol 2013; 19:28-33. [PMID: 23319035 PMCID: PMC3603486 DOI: 10.4103/1319-3767.105920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Hepatitis C virus genotypes 4 (HCV-4) is the most prevalent genotype in Saudi Arabia, although it's various subtypes, mode and route of transmission remains unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze (i) the variability of the HCV-4 subtypes, the route and source of HCV transmission and (ii) the influence of HCV-4 subtypes on their therapeutic response. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-four HCV-4 patients were analyzed retrospectively for the prevalence of various sub-genotypes and the possible mode of transmission, and it was correlated with their treatment response to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) α-2a and ribavirin therapy. RESULTS Positive history of blood or blood products transfusion was noted in 22 patients (34%), hemodialysis in 10 patients (15.6%), surgery in 7 patients (11%), and unknown etiology in 25 patients (39%). Prevalence of HCV-4 subtypes was 4a = 48.4% (31/64), 4d = 39% (25/64), 4n = 6.25% (4/64), and remaining combined (4m, 4l, 4r, 4o) 6.25% (4/64). No significant correlation between subtypes and the source of transmission was recognized ( P = 0.62). Sustained virological response in all HCV-4 patients was 64% (41/64), while in each subtypes separately it was 4a 77.4% (24/31), 4d 52% (13/25), and combined (4n, 4m, 4l, 4r, 4o) 62.5% (5/8) ( P = 0.046). CONCLUSION No obvious cause for the mode of HCV transmission was noted in majority of the patients. No significant correlation was observed between HCV-4 subtypes and the source of HCV infection. 4a and 4d subtypes were the most common in Saudi Arabia, and patients infected with 4a subtype responded significantly better to combination therapy than to 4d subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamad I Al Ashgar
- Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH and RC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Q. Khan
- Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH and RC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Address for correspondence: Dr. Mohammed Q. Khan, Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine MBC: 46, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, PO Box: 3354, Riyadh - 11211, Saudi Arabia. E-mail:
| | - Mohammed Al-Ahdal
- Molecular Virology and Infectious Disease Section, Research Center, KFH and RC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sahar Al Thawadi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH and RC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Salem Helmy
- Molecular Virology and Infectious Disease Section, Research Center, KFH and RC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Liver Disease Research Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Al Qahtani
- Molecular Virology and Infectious Disease Section, Research Center, KFH and RC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Liver Disease Research Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal M. Sanai
- Liver Disease Research Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Department of Hepatobiliary Sciences and Liver Transplantation, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Alghamdi AS, Sanai FM, Ismail M, Alghamdi H, Alswat K, Alqutub A, Altraif I, Shah H, Alfaleh FZ. SASLT practice guidelines: management of hepatitis C virus infection. Saudi J Gastroenterol 2012; 18 Suppl:S1-32. [PMID: 23006491 PMCID: PMC3713589 DOI: 10.4103/1319-3767.101155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah S. Alghamdi
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Unit, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,Address for correspondence: Dr. Abdullah Saeed Alghamdi, Department of Medicine, King Fahad General Hospital, PO BOX 50505 (450), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. E-mail:
| | - Faisal M. Sanai
- Hepatobiliary Sciences and Liver Transplantation, King Abdulaziz Medical City, and King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, National Guard Health Affairs,Liver Disease Research Center, National Plan for Science and Technology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona Ismail
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, King Fahad Hospital of the University, College of Medicine, University of Dammam, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamdan Alghamdi
- Hepatobiliary Sciences and Liver Transplantation, King Abdulaziz Medical City, and King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, National Guard Health Affairs
| | - Khalid Alswat
- Liver Disease Research Center, National Plan for Science and Technology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology unit, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel Alqutub
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology Unit, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Altraif
- Hepatobiliary Sciences and Liver Transplantation, King Abdulaziz Medical City, and King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, National Guard Health Affairs
| | - Hemant Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Faleh Z. Alfaleh
- Liver Disease Research Center, National Plan for Science and Technology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology unit, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Sievert W, Altraif I, Razavi HA, Abdo A, Ahmed EA, Alomair A, Amarapurkar D, Chen CH, Dou X, El Khayat H, Elshazly M, Esmat G, Guan R, Han KH, Koike K, Largen A, McCaughan G, Mogawer S, Monis A, Nawaz A, Piratvisuth T, Sanai FM, Sharara AI, Sibbel S, Sood A, Suh DJ, Wallace C, Young K, Negro F. A systematic review of hepatitis C virus epidemiology in Asia, Australia and Egypt. Liver Int 2011; 31 Suppl 2:61-80. [PMID: 21651703 DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02540.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 417] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hepatitis C pandemic has been systematically studied and characterized in North America and Europe, but this important public health problem has not received equivalent attention in other regions. AIM The objective of this systematic review was to characterize hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology in selected countries of Asia, Australia and Egypt, i.e. in a geographical area inhabited by over 40% of the global population. METHODOLOGY Data references were identified through indexed journals and non-indexed sources. In this work, 7770 articles were reviewed and 690 were selected based on their relevance. RESULTS We estimated that 49.3-64.0 million adults in Asia, Australia and Egypt are anti-HCV positive. China alone has more HCV infections than all of Europe or the Americas. While most countries had prevalence rates from 1 to 2% we documented several with relatively high prevalence rates, including Egypt (15%), Pakistan (4.7%) and Taiwan (4.4%). Nosocomial infection, blood transfusion (before screening) and injection drug use were identified as common risk factors in the region. Genotype 1 was common in Australia, China, Taiwan and other countries in North Asia, while genotype 6 was found in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. In India and Pakistan genotype 3 was predominant, while genotype 4 was found in Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria. CONCLUSION We recommend implementation of surveillance systems to guide effective public health policy that may lead to the eventual curtailment of the spread of this pandemic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Sievert
- Monash Medical Centre and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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Abstract
Hepatitis C (HCV) is the disease that has affected around 200 million people globally. HCV is a life threatening human pathogen, not only because of its high prevalence and worldwide burden but also because of the potentially serious complications of persistent HCV infection. Chronicity of the disease leads to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and end-stage liver disease. HCV positive hepatocytes vary between less than 5% and up to 100%, indicating the high rate of replication of viral RNA. HCV has a very high mutational rate that enables it to escape the immune system. Viral diversity has two levels; the genotypes and Quasiaspecies. Major HCV genotypes constitute genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 while more than 50 subtypes are known. All HCV genotypes have their particular patterns of geographical distribution and a slight drift in viral population has been observed in some parts of the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazish Bostan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad-45320, Pakistan
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Al-Faleh FZ. Changing pattern of hepatitis viral infection in Saudi Arabia in the last two decades. Ann Saudi Med 2003; 23:367-71. [PMID: 16868370 DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2003.367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Information on the epidemiology of viral hepatitis B, C and A in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has accumulated over the last two decades. We review the changing epidemiology of these infections and suggest possible strategies for eradication. METHODS We screened Saudi medical journals and Medline for reports dealing with hepatitis B, C and A, and analyzed official of blood donor screening data from the Ministry of Health (MOH) Central Blood Bank and the King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) Blood Bank. RESULTS Several studies from the 1980s found a high endemicity for HBV, with 5% to 10% of the population infected and prevalence varying from one region to another. In children (age 1 to 12 years), the prevalence was almost 7% in 1989, just before the addition of the HBV vaccine to the Extended Program of Immunization (EPI). By 1997, the prevalence of HBV infection in children had declined to 0.3%. Blood donor results have also shown a steady decrease in HBV infection. At KKUH, prevalence declined from 3.7% in 1987 to 1.7% in 2000. Hepatitis C infection has also shown a marked decline among Saudi blood donors at KKUH, HAV infection among children has declined from 50% in 1989 to 25% in 1997, but the infection rate is still high, reaching 50% in a few regions. CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis B, C, and A infection has declined in KSA in the last two decades by more than 50%. The reasons for this marked decline are multifactorial. An important reason is the adoption in the last two decades of the MOH strategy for prevention of viral hepatitis infection, which needs to continue. Improvements in the economic status of the population and the decline in illiteracy have also contributed to the decline in viral hepatitis infection.
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Abstract
To examine the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission between patients infected with HCV and their household members (siblings, offspring and parents), as well as their stable heterosexual partners, a systematic search of the MEDLINE database was undertaken for all relevant articles published up to June 1997. English language publications or those supplemented with an English abstract that reported studies concerning hepatitis C, and household, intrafamilial, sexual and intraspousal transmission of HCV, were reviewed. Data from uncontrolled and controlled studies were collected and analysed separately. Studies reporting the exclusive use of first-generation anti-HCV antibodies without supplemental tests were excluded. Pre- or postnatal mother-to-child transmission of HCV and homosexual and heterosexual transmission of HCV among non-permanent couples were not included. Unweighted data from individual studies were pooled for each category of family member. Data were also analysed separately for Japanese and non-Japanese studies because there is evidence that intrafamilial transmission may differ, based on endemicity of the viral infection. Comparisons were drawn only from controlled studies that reported the prevalence of HCV in family members of both HCV-positive and HCV-negative controls. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each family category. In uncontrolled studies, the pooled prevalence of anti-HCV among 4250 stable sexual contacts of patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease (CLD) was 13.48%, while the pooled prevalence of anti-HCV among 580 stable sexual contacts of patients who contracted HCV as a result of multiple transfusions was 2.41%. In controlled studies, the pooled prevalence of anti-HCV among 175 siblings and household contacts of patients with CLD was 4.0% compared with 0% among 109 contacts of anti-HCV-negative controls (OR 9.75, 95% CI 0.91 ad infinitum). The pooled prevalence of anti-HCV among offspring of Japanese HCV-infected CLD patients was 17% compared with 10.4% among offspring of HCV-negative Japanese controls (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.21-2. 58, P=0.002). The pooled prevalence of anti-HCV among spouses of non-Japanese HCV-infected CLD patients was 15.2% compared with 0.9% in the spouses of non-Japanese HCV-negative controls (OR 20.57, 95% CI 6.05-84.08, P=0.0001). The prevalence of anti-HCV among non-Japanese offspring and Japanese spouses of HCV-infected patients was not increased compared with controls. HCV genotype homology and mutant analysis studies in pairs of HCV-infected patients and their HCV-infected contacts showed that concordant genotype homology was found in 66% of non-sexual contacts and in 74% of sexual contacts. Sequence homology of greater than 92% was found in 19 out of 35 pairs. Hence, evidence exists that familial, non-sexual and sexual transmission of HCV does occur. In Japanese patients, transmission probably occurs in younger family members while, in non-Japanese patients, transmission probably occurs at an older age, after contact with an HCV-infected spouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Ackerman
- Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Z Al-Faleh
- Departments of Medicine, and Pathology, College of Medicine an d King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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