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Development of multiplex real-time quantitative PCR for simultaneous detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma genitalium in infertile women. Indian J Med Microbiol 2022; 40:231-234. [PMID: 35144833 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) can cause sterility and many other problems for women planning pregnancy. Currently, almost 340 million people worldwide suffer from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). This study made attempts to quickly identify STDs' most critical infectious agents using dedicated primers and probes. METHODS The present study was done on the cervical samples of 200 infertile women. After extracting the total DNA of Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma genitalium, quantitative methods were employed to determine the rate of target bacteria using multiplex real-time PCR. RESULTS The multiplex qPCR showed the rates of 47%, 16%, 46%, and 16.5% for Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma genitalium in infertile women, respectively. In some patients, there were co-infections with two or three bacteria. The diagnostic approach used in our research could be employed as an alternative detection tool to identify the four most common STD-associated bacterial agents while detecting mixed infections. CONCLUSIONS Infertile women with no biological problems could have their genital tract checked using this newly designed identification technique and get proper treatment for their infections as quickly as possible.
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Chaabna K, Dashzeveg D, Shagdarsuren T, Al-Rifai RH. Prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus in Mongolia: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 105:377-388. [PMID: 33601031 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection epidemiology in Mongolia. METHOD Publications on HCV antibody (Ab) and RNA prevalence, and/or genotypes/subtypes were systematically reviewed and reported following PRISMA guidelines. Random-effects meta-analyses and age adjustments were conducted to estimate the prevalence of Mongolians exposed to HCV (pooled HCV-Ab prevalence) by time period, sex, and at-risk populations; and to estimate the prevalence of chronically-infected HCV individuals. RESULTS The national pooled HCV-Ab prevalence was 12.3% in 2000-2009 and 11.2% in 2013. Sex-specific pooled prevalence appeared higher among females than males (14.0% versus 6.8%). Age-specific pooled prevalence significantly increased from 3.7% among children (aged 0-10 years) to 34.1% among people aged ≥50 years (p < 0.001). Among the adult general population (low-risk population), the national age-adjusted prevalence was 8.1%. Age-adjusted chronic infection prevalence in adults was 6.0%. Among healthcare workers, pooled prevalence was 18.0%. Among patients with liver diseases, pooled prevalence was 53.7%. Among individuals engaging in risky sexual behaviors, pooled prevalence was 11.1%. The identified circulating genotypes/subtypes were 1b (58.0%), 2a (21.7%), and 1a (20.2%). CONCLUSION The national HCV prevalence in Mongolia appeared to be among the highest worldwide. Higher prevalence in the clinical setting indicated potential ongoing HCV iatrogenic and occupational transmission. Additionally, HCV transmission in community settings should be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Chaabna
- Institute for Population Health, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Delgermaa Dashzeveg
- Global Health Entrepreneurship Department, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan; Head of Public Health Policy Implementation and Coordination, National Centre for Public Health, Ministry of Health, Mongolia
| | - Tserendulam Shagdarsuren
- Head of Public Health Policy Implementation and Coordination, National Centre for Public Health, Ministry of Health, Mongolia; Department of Mongolia and Healthy City Network of Mongolia, Mongolia
| | - Rami H Al-Rifai
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Violence and hepatitis C transmission in prison-A modified social ecological model. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243106. [PMID: 33259565 PMCID: PMC7707477 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among the prisoner population is most frequently associated with sharing of non-sterile injecting equipment. Other blood-to-blood contacts such as tattooing and physical violence are also common in the prison environment, and have been associated with HCV transmission. The context of such non-injecting risk behaviours, particularly violence, is poorly studied. The modified social-ecological model (MSEM) was used to examine HCV transmission risk and violence in the prison setting considering individual, network, community and policy factors. METHODS The Australian Hepatitis C Incidence and Transmission Study in prisons (HITS-p) cohort enrolled HCV uninfected prisoners with injecting and non-injecting risk behaviours, who were followed up for HCV infection from 2004-2014. Qualitative interviews were conducted within 23 participants; of whom 13 had become HCV infected. Deductive analysis was undertaken to identify violence as risk within prisons among individual, network, community, and public policy levels. RESULTS The risk context for violence and HCV exposure varied across the MSEM. At the individual level, participants were concerned about blood contact during fights, given limited scope to use gloves to prevent blood contamination. At the network level, drug debt and informing on others to correctional authorities, were risk factors for violence and potential HCV transmission. At the community level, racial influence, social groupings, and socially maligned crimes like sexual assault of children were identified as possible triggers for violence. At the policy level, rules and regulations by prison authority influenced the concerns and occurrence of violence and potential HCV transmission. CONCLUSION Contextual concerns regarding violence and HCV transmission were evident at each level of the MSEM. Further evidence-based interventions targeted across the MSEM may reduce prison violence, provide opportunities for HCV prevention when violence occurs and subsequent HCV exposure.
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Rossotti R, Puoti M. Sexually Transmitted Hepatitis. Sex Transm Infect 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-02200-6_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Mohd Suan MA, Said SM, Lim PY, Azman AZF, Abu Hassan MR. Risk factors for hepatitis C infection among adult patients in Kedah state, Malaysia: A case-control study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224459. [PMID: 31661525 PMCID: PMC6818779 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C infection is a global public health problem. This study was designed to identify the risk factors associated with hepatitis C infection among adult patients in Kedah state, Malaysia. A matched, hospital-based, case–control study was conducted at a tertiary hospital. Cases were adult (aged ≥ 18 years) patients with positive serology test results for hepatitis C virus antibody and detectable hepatitis C virus RNA from January 2015 to December 2018, and controls were age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched patients who were not infected with hepatitis C virus. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data on demographic characteristics and previous exposure to selected risk factors among the study participants. Associations between hepatitis C and demographic and risk factors were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. A total of 255 case–control patient pairs were enrolled. The multivariable analysis indicated that having a history of blood or blood product transfusion before 1992 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.73–13.81), injection drug use (AOR = 6.60, 95% CI: 3.66–12.43), imprisonment (AOR = 4.58, 95% CI: 1.62–16.40), tattooing (AOR = 3.73, 95% CI: 1.37–12.00), having more than one sexual partner (AOR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.16–3.69), piercing (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.04–2.80), and having only secondary education (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.06–3.57) were independently associated with hepatitis C. No associations were found between health care occupation, needle-prick injury, surgical procedures, haemodialysis, acupuncture, cupping, or contact sports and hepatitis C infection. These findings demonstrate that hepatitis C risk is multifactorial. Having a history of blood or blood product transfusion before 1992, injection drug use, imprisonment, tattooing, having more than one sexual partner, piercing, and having only secondary education were associated with increased odds of hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Azri Mohd Suan
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- Clinical Research Centre, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
| | - Salmiah Md Said
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
- * E-mail:
| | - Poh Ying Lim
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Zaid Fattah Azman
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan
- Clinical Research Centre, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
- Department of Medicine, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To better understand risk factors for the sexual transmission of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). DESIGN Case-control study among HIV-infected MSM, attending AIDS Reference Centers in Belgium. METHODS Cases were HIV-infected MSM who were diagnosed with HCV between January 2010 and December 2013. For each case, 2 controls were randomly selected among the HIV-positive MSM who tested negative for HCV around the same time as the cases were identified. Consenting participants were interviewed with a questionnaire on risk factors. Medical records were abstracted to document past episodes of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Associations between HCV infection and risk factors were explored using bivariate analysis followed by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 52 cases and 90 controls were recruited. In multivariate analysis, douching before anal intercourse [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 9.84, 95% CI: 2.26 to 42.78], fisting (AOR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.31 to 9.57), having intercourse with HIV-positive men (AOR = 5.51, 95% CI: 1.87 to 16.20), and a documented gonorrhoea or chlamydial infection in the year before inclusion in the study (AOR = 4.50, 95% CI: 1.11 to 18.31) were independently associated with incident HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirmed fisting and suffering from other STIs as risk factors for HCV and suggested an increased risk of HCV associated with serosorting. Furthermore, we identified anal douching as being associated with HCV infection. The role that douching plays in the acquisition of HCV infection and other STIs requires further research, as well as the effect of serosorting on STI transmission.
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Dodge JL, Terrault NA. Sexual transmission of hepatitis C: A rare event among heterosexual couples. JOURNAL OF COAGULATION DISORDERS 2014; 4:38-39. [PMID: 26617979 PMCID: PMC4659344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
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Abstract
Identification and vaccination of adults at risk for hepatitis B virus acquisition through sexual contact is a key strategy to reduce new hepatitis B virus infections among at-risk adults. Hepatitis C has emerged as a sexually transmitted infection among men with male sex partners (MSM). Several biological and behavioral factors have been linked to hepatitis C virus transmission among MSM, including human immunodeficiency virus coinfection; participation in sexual practices that result in mucosal damage or result in exposure to blood; presence of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), particularly ulcerative STIs; multiple/casual sex partners; and unprotected anal intercourse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Gorgos
- Special Immunology Associates, El Rio Health Center, 1701 West St Mary's Road, Suite 160, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA.
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The burgeoning HIV/HCV syndemic in the urban Northeast: HCV, HIV, and HIV/HCV coinfection in an urban setting. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64321. [PMID: 23691197 PMCID: PMC3653872 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Accepted: 04/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Despite recommendations for generation-based HCV and once lifetime HIV screening, thousands of individuals in the U.S. still remain untested and undiagnosed. This cross-sectional study examines the correlates of HCV and HIV monoinfection and HIV/HCV coinfection in an urban Northeast setting. Methods Utilizing an electronic database from a mobile medical clinic in New Haven, CT from January 2003 to July 2011, 8,311 individuals underwent structured health assessment and screening for HIV and HCV. Results HIV [N = 601 (8.0%)] and HCV [N = 753 (10.1%)] infection were identified, and 197 (26.1%) of the 753 with HCV were coinfected with HIV. Both monoinfection and coinfection status were independently correlated with crack cocaine use and increasing age. HIV/HCV coinfection was correlated with men having sex with men (MSM) (AOR = 38.53, p<0.0080), shooting gallery use (AOR = 3.06, p<0.0070), and not completing high school (AOR = 2.51, p<0.0370). HCV monoinfection correlated with health insurance (AOR = 2.16, p<0.0020), domestic violence (AOR = 1.99, p<0.0070), and being Hispanic (AOR = 2.63, p<0.0001), while HIV monoinfection correlated with having had syphilis (AOR = 2.66, p<0.0001) and being Black (AOR = 1.73, p = 0.0010). Conclusions Though HIV and HCV share common transmission risk behaviors, independent correlates with viral infection status in an urban Northeast setting are distinct and have important implications for surveillance, healthcare delivery, disease prevention, and clinical care.
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Intimate Partner Violence: Perspectives on Universal Screening for Women in VHA Primary Care. Womens Health Issues 2013; 23:e73-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2012.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Indolfi G, Nesi A, Resti M. Intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus. J Med Virol 2013; 85:608-14. [DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Abstract
Worldwide eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is possible through a combination of prevention education, universal clinical and targeted community screening, effective linkage to care and treatment with promising new direct-acting antiviral drug regimens. Universal screening should be offered in all healthcare visits, and parallel community screening efforts should prioritize high-prevalence, high-transmission populations including injection drug users, prison inmates and those with HIV/HCV co-infection. Increasing awareness of HCV infection through screening, improving treatment uptake and cure rates by providing linkage to care and more effective treatment, and ultimately combining education efforts with vaccination campaigns to prevent transmission and reinfection can slow and eventually stop the 'silent epidemic'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesl M. Hagan
- Center for AIDS Research; Emory University School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Decatur GA USA
| | - Raymond F. Schinazi
- Center for AIDS Research; Emory University School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Decatur GA USA
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Tohme RA, Holmberg SD. Transmission of hepatitis C virus infection through tattooing and piercing: a critical review. Clin Infect Dis 2012; 54:1167-78. [PMID: 22291098 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cir991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tattoos and piercings are increasing, especially among youths, but the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection from these practices has not been adequately assessed and there are conflicting findings in the literature. We evaluated the risk of HCV infection from tattooing and piercing using the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Studies that specified the venue of tattooing and/or piercing showed no definitive evidence for an increased risk of HCV infection when tattoos and piercings were received in professional parlors. However, the risk of HCV infection is significant, especially among high-risk groups (adjusted odds ratio, 2.0-3.6), when tattoos are applied in prison settings or by friends. Prevention interventions are needed to avoid the transmission of hepatitis C from tattooing and piercing in prisons, homes, and other potentially nonsterile settings. Youths also should be educated on the need to have tattoos and piercings performed under sterile conditions to avoid HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania A Tohme
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
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Larsen C, Chaix ML, Le Strat Y, Velter A, Gervais A, Aupérin I, Alric L, Duval X, Miailhes P, Pioche C, Pol S, Piroth L, Delarocque-Astagneau E. Gaining greater insight into HCV emergence in HIV-infected men who have sex with men: the HEPAIG Study. PLoS One 2011; 6:e29322. [PMID: 22216248 PMCID: PMC3245268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2011] [Accepted: 11/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The HEPAIG study was conducted to better understand Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission among human immuno-deficiency (HIV)-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) and assess incidence of HCV infection among this population in France. Methods and Results Acute HCV infection defined by anti-HCV or HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) positivity within one year of documented anti-HCV negativity was notified among HIV-infected MSM followed up in HIV/AIDS clinics from a nationwide sampling frame. HIV and HCV infection characteristics, HCV potential exposures and sexual behaviour were collected by the physicians and via self-administered questionnaires. Phylogenetic analysis of the HCV-NS5B region was conducted. HCV incidence was 48/10 000 [95% Confidence Interval (CI):43–54] and 36/10 000 [95% CI: 30–42] in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Among the 80 men enrolled (median age: 40 years), 55% were HIV-diagnosed before 2000, 56% had at least one sexually transmitted infection in the year before HCV diagnosis; 55% were HCV-infected with genotype 4 (15 men in one 4d-cluster), 32.5% with genotype 1 (three 1a-clusters); five men were HCV re-infected; in the six-month preceding HCV diagnosis, 92% reported having casual sexual partners sought online (75.5%) and at sex venues (79%), unprotected anal sex (90%) and fisting (65%); using recreational drugs (62%) and bleeding during sex (55%). Conclusions This study emphasizes the role of multiple unprotected sexual practices and recreational drugs use during sex in the HCV emergence in HIV-infected MSM. It becomes essential to adapt prevention strategies and inform HIV-infected MSM with recent acute HCV infection on risk of re-infection and on risk-reduction strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Larsen
- National Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS), Saint-Maurice, France.
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Medical opinion varies considerably regarding the transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) through sexual contact. Based on the study design, representativeness of the study population, and the methods used for case ascertainment, we analyzed 80 qualifying reports regarding the evidence for or against sexual transmission. Regarding heterosexual transmission, the weight of evidence is that there is no increased risk of sexual transmission of HCV among heterosexual couples in regular relationships. This risk increases among persons with multiple sexual partners (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.2-2.9), but this association may be confounded by increased likelihood of injection drug use with increased number of partners. There appears to be a real increased risk for women coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other sexually transmitted infections (aOR 3.3-3.9) and especially for HIV-infected gay men who are having sex with one another compared with HIV-uninfected men (aOR 4.1-5.7). HIV-infected gay men increase their risk of such transmission in association with practices that lead to mucosal trauma (multiple sexual partners, fisting, use of sex toys) and the presence of genital ulcerative disease. CONCLUSION This review should inform, and not distract from, recommendations to reduce the risk of HCV transmission. Health care providers need to pay special attention to sexual transmission of HCV among HIV-infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania A Tohme
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Molecular and Contextual Markers of Hepatitis C Virus and Drug Abuse. Mol Diagn Ther 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03256323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Shapshak P, Somboonwit C, Drumright LN, Frost SDW, Commins D, Tellinghuisen TL, Scott WK, Duncan R, McCoy C, Page JB, Giunta B, Fernandez F, Singer E, Levine A, Minagar A, Oluwadara O, Kotila T, Chiappelli F, Sinnott JT. Molecular and contextual markers of hepatitis C virus and drug abuse. Mol Diagn Ther 2009; 13:153-79. [PMID: 19650670 PMCID: PMC4447498 DOI: 10.2165/01250444-200913030-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The spread of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection involves a complex interplay of social risks, and molecular factors of both virus and host. Injection drug abuse is the most powerful risk factor for HCV infection, followed by sexual transmission and additional non-injection drug abuse factors such as co-infection with other viruses and barriers to treatment. It is clearly important to understand the wider context in which the factors related to HCV infection occur. This understanding is required for a comprehensive approach leading to the successful prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HCV. An additional consideration is that current treatments and advanced molecular methods are generally unavailable to socially disadvantaged patients. Thus, the recognition of behavioral/social, viral, and host factors as components of an integrated approach to HCV is important to help this vulnerable group. Equally important, this approach is key to the development of personalized patient treatment - a significant goal in global healthcare. In this review, we discuss recent findings concerning the impact of drug abuse, epidemiology, social behavior, virology, immunopathology, and genetics on HCV infection and the course of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Shapshak
- Division of Infectious Disease and International Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA.
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