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Alberts CJ, Schim van der Loeff MF, Sadik S, Zuure FR, Beune EJAJ, Prins M, Snijder MB, Bruisten SM. Hepatitis E virus seroprevalence and determinants in various study populations in the Netherlands. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208522. [PMID: 30557324 PMCID: PMC6296558 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epidemiology of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is not fully understood. In this study, we assessed putative risk factors for HEV seropositivity in various study populations in the Netherlands. METHODS Data and samples from five different study populations were analysed: (A) blood donors (n = 5,239), (B) adults reporting a vegetarian life style since the age of 12 years (n = 231), (C) residents of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with different ethnic backgrounds (n = 1,198), (D) men who have sex with men (MSM) (HIV positive and HIV negative) (n = 197), and (E) persons who use drugs (PWUD) (HIV positive and HIV negative) (n = 200). Anti-HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) testing was performed using ELISA test (Wantai). RESULTS HEV IgM seroprevalence was low across all study populations (<1% to 8%). The age and gender-adjusted HEV IgG seroprevalence was 24% among blood donors (reference group) and 9% among the vegetarian group (adjusted Relative Risk [aRR]:0.36, 95%CI:0.23-0.57). Among participants of different ethnic backgrounds, the adjusted HEV IgG seroprevalence was 16% among participants with a Dutch origin (aRR:0.64, 95%CI:0.40-1.02), 2% among South-Asian Surinamese (aRR:0.07, 95%CI:0.02-0.29), 3% among African Surinamese (aRR:0.11, 95%CI:0.04-0.34), 34% among Ghanaian (aRR:1.53, 95%CI:1.15-2.03), 19% among Moroccan (aRR:0.75, 95%CI:0.49-1.14), and 5% among Turkish (aRR:0.18, 95%CI:0.08-0.44) origin participants. First generation Moroccans had a higher risk for being IgG HEV seropositive compared to second generation Moroccan migrants. The statistical power to perform these analyses in the other ethnic groups was too low. In the MSM group the IgG HEV seroprevalence was 24% (aRR:0.99, 95%CI:0.76-1.29), and among PWUD it was 28% (aRR:1.19, 95%CI:0.90-1.58). The number of sexual partners in the preceding six months was not significantly associated with IgG HEV seropositivity in MSM. The association between HIV status and HEV seropositivity was significant in PWUD, yet absent in MSM. HIV viral load and CD4 cell count were not associated with HEV seropositivity in HIV positive MSM and PWUD. CONCLUSIONS Vegetarians were significantly less often HEV seropositive. Ethnic origin influenced the risk for being IgG HEV seropositive. MSM and PWUD were not at higher risk for being IgG HEV seropositive than blood donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. J. Alberts
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam (GGD), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - M. F. Schim van der Loeff
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam (GGD), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - S. Sadik
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam (GGD), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - F. R. Zuure
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam (GGD), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - E. J. A. J. Beune
- Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M. Prins
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam (GGD), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M. B. Snijder
- Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - S. M. Bruisten
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam (GGD), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Bartelsman M, Joore IK, van Bergen JE, Hogewoning AA, Zuure FR, van Veen MG. HIV testing week 2015: lowering barriers for HIV testing among high-risk groups in Amsterdam. BMC Infect Dis 2017; 17:529. [PMID: 28764661 PMCID: PMC5540217 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-017-2617-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evaluation of the HIV Testing Week (HTW) 2015 in Amsterdam: the number of (positive) tested persons, characteristics and testing history of the tested population, the differences in attendance per location and the healthcare workers' experiences and opinions concerning the HTW. METHODS The HTW took place from 28 November till 4 December 2015. Anonymous HIV rapid testing (INSTI™ HIV1/HIV2 Ab test or Determine™ HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab test) was offered free of charge at four hospitals, 12 general practitioner (GP) clinics, a sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic, a laboratory, sites of a community-based organisation, and at outreach locations. Home-based testing (OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test) was offered online. The focus was to motivate two groups to test: men who have sex with men (MSM) and non-Western migrants. Questionnaires regarding participant's characteristics and HIV testing history were collected. Also healthcare workers were asked to complete a questionnaire evaluating the HTW. RESULTS In total, 1231 participants were tested. With three positive HIV tests, the detection rate was 0.3% (95%CI 0.26-0.37). Of all participants, 24.7% (304/1231) were MSM. Respectively, 22.3% (275/1231) and 15.7% (193/1231) were first- and second-generation migrants from a non-Western country. Altogether, 56.7% (698/1231) of participants belonged to one of the targeted risk groups. For 32.7% (402/1231) of participants, it was the first time they received testing, and 35.1% (432/1231) were tested more than 1 year ago. Among MSM 13.2% were tested for the first time, among first- and second-generation non-Western migrants this percentage was significantly higher at 27.2% and 33.5% respectively (p < 0.01). The number of tested participants per location varied widely, especially between GP clinics (range 3-63). Healthcare workers were positive about the HTW: about half (46.2%) stated they would more readily offer an HIV test following their experience with the HTW. CONCLUSIONS This was the first time the Amsterdam HTW was organised on such a large scale. The majority of the tested population belonged to one of the targeted risk groups and received testing either for the first time or for the first time in over a year. It is important to further build upon the experiences of the HTW and offer free of charge low-threshold HIV testing more structurally. An evaluation of cost-effectiveness is also warranted for future editions of the HTW.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bartelsman
- STI Outpatient Clinic, Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam), Amsterdam, the Netherlands. .,Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Department of Infectious Diseases, STI Outpatient Clinic, Weesperplein 1, 1018 WZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - I K Joore
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Division of Clinical Methods and Public Health, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J E van Bergen
- Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Division of Clinical Methods and Public Health, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,STI AIDS Netherlands (Soa Aids Nederland), Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Epidemiology & Surveillance Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - A A Hogewoning
- STI Outpatient Clinic, Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - F R Zuure
- Department of Infectious Diseases Research and Prevention, Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam), Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Center of Infectious diseases and Immunology Amsterdam (CINIMA), Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M G van Veen
- STI Outpatient Clinic, Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Willemse SB, Razavi-Shearer D, Zuure FR, Veldhuijzen IK, Croes EA, van der Meer AJ, van Santen DK, de Vree JM, de Knegt RJ, Zaaijer HL, Reesink HW, Prins M, Razavi H. The estimated future disease burden of hepatitis C virus in the Netherlands with different treatment paradigms. Neth J Med 2015; 73:417-431. [PMID: 26582807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the Netherlands is low (anti-HCV prevalence 0.22%). All-oral treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) is tolerable and effective but expensive. Our analysis projected the future HCV-related disease burden in the Netherlands by applying different treatment scenarios. METHODS Using a modelling approach, the size of the HCV-viraemic population in the Netherlands in 2014 was estimated using available data and expert consensus. The base scenario (based on the current Dutch situation) and different treatment scenarios (with increased efficacy, treatment uptake, and diagnoses) were modelled and the future HCV disease burden was predicted for each scenario. RESULTS The estimated number of individuals with viraemic HCV infection in the Netherlands in 2014 was 19,200 (prevalence 0.12%). By 2030, this number is projected to decrease by 4 5% in the base scenario and by 85% if the number of treated patients increases. Furthermore, the number of individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related deaths is estimated to decrease by 19% and 27%, respectively, in the base scenario, but may both be further decreased by 68% when focusing on treatment of HCV patients with a fibrosis stage of ≥ F2. CONCLUSIONS A substantial reduction in HCV-related disease burden is possible with increases in treatment uptake as the efficacy of current therapies is high. Further reduction of HCV-related disease burden may be achieved through increases in diagnosis and preventative measures. These results might inform the further development of effective disease management strategies in the Netherlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Willemse
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Gane E, Kershenobich D, Seguin-Devaux C, Kristian P, Aho I, Dalgard O, Shestakova I, Nymadawa P, Blach S, Acharya S, Anand AC, Andersson MI, Arendt V, Arkkila P, Baatarkhuu O, Barclay K, Ben-Ari Z, Bergin C, Bessone F, Blokhina N, Brunton CR, Choudhuri G, Chulanov V, Cisneros L, Croes EA, Dahgwahdorj YA, Daruich JR, Dashdorj NR, Davaadorj D, de Knegt RJ, de Vree M, Gadano AC, Gower E, Halota W, Hatzakis A, Henderson C, Hoffmann P, Hornell J, Houlihan D, Hrusovsky S, Jarčuška P, Kostrzewska K, Leshno M, Lurie Y, Mahomed A, Mamonova N, Mendez-Sanchez N, Mossong J, Norris S, Nurmukhametova E, Oltman M, Oyunbileg J, Oyunsuren T, Papatheodoridis G, Pimenov N, Prins M, Puri P, Radke S, Rakhmanova A, Razavi H, Razavi-Shearer K, Reesink HW, Ridruejo E, Safadi R, Sagalova O, Sanchez Avila JF, Sanduijav R, Saraswat V, Schréter I, Shah SR, Shevaldin A, Shibolet O, Silva MO, Sokolov S, Sonderup M, Souliotis K, Spearman CW, Staub T, Stedman C, Strebkova EA, Struck D, Sypsa V, Tomasiewicz K, Undram L, van der Meer AJ, van Santen D, Veldhuijzen I, Villamil FG, Willemse S, Zuckerman E, Zuure FR, Prabdial-Sing N, Flisiak R, Estes C. Strategies to manage hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection disease burden - volume 2. J Viral Hepat 2015; 22 Suppl 1:46-73. [PMID: 25560841 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic was forecasted through 2030 for 15 countries, and the relative impact of two scenarios was considered: (i) increased treatment efficacy while holding the treated population constant and (ii) increased treatment efficacy and increased annual treated population. Increasing levels of diagnosis and treatment, in combination with improved treatment efficacy, were critical for achieving substantial reductions in disease burden. In most countries, the annual treated population had to increase several fold to achieve the largest reductions in HCV-related morbidity and mortality. This suggests that increased capacity for screening and treatment will be critical in many countries. Birth cohort screening is a helpful tool for maximizing resources. In most of the studied countries, the majority of patients were born between 1945 and 1985.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Gane
- Auckland Hospital Clinical Studies Unit, Auckland, New Zealand
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Hatzakis A, Chulanov V, Gadano AC, Bergin C, Ben-Ari Z, Mossong J, Schréter I, Baatarkhuu O, Acharya S, Aho I, Anand AC, Andersson MI, Arendt V, Arkkila P, Barclay K, Bessone F, Blach S, Blokhina N, Brunton CR, Choudhuri G, Cisneros L, Croes EA, Dahgwahdorj YA, Dalgard O, Daruich JR, Dashdorj NR, Davaadorj D, de Knegt RJ, de Vree M, Estes C, Flisiak R, Gane E, Gower E, Halota W, Henderson C, Hoffmann P, Hornell J, Houlihan D, Hrusovsky S, Jarčuška P, Kershenobich D, Kostrzewska K, Kristian P, Leshno M, Lurie Y, Mahomed A, Mamonova N, Mendez-Sanchez N, Norris S, Nurmukhametova E, Nymadawa P, Oltman M, Oyunbileg J, Oyunsuren T, Papatheodoridis G, Pimenov N, Prabdial-Sing N, Prins M, Radke S, Rakhmanova A, Razavi-Shearer K, Reesink HW, Ridruejo E, Safadi R, Sagalova O, Sanchez Avila JF, Sanduijav R, Saraswat V, Seguin-Devaux C, Shah SR, Shestakova I, Shevaldin A, Shibolet O, Silva MO, Sokolov S, Sonderup M, Souliotis K, Spearman CW, Staub T, Stedman C, Strebkova EA, Struck D, Sypsa V, Tomasiewicz K, Undram L, van der Meer AJ, van Santen D, Veldhuijzen I, Villamil FG, Willemse S, Zuckerman E, Zuure FR, Puri P, Razavi H. The present and future disease burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections with today's treatment paradigm - volume 2. J Viral Hepat 2015; 22 Suppl 1:26-45. [PMID: 25560840 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Morbidity and mortality attributable to chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are increasing in many countries as the infected population ages. Models were developed for 15 countries to quantify and characterize the viremic population, as well as estimate the number of new infections and HCV related deaths from 2013 to 2030. Expert consensus was used to determine current treatment levels and outcomes in each country. In most countries, viremic prevalence has already peaked. In every country studied, prevalence begins to decline before 2030, when current treatment levels were held constant. In contrast, cases of advanced liver disease and liver related deaths will continue to increase through 2030 in most countries. The current treatment paradigm is inadequate if large reductions in HCV related morbidity and mortality are to be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Hatzakis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece
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Saraswat V, Norris S, de Knegt RJ, Sanchez Avila JF, Sonderup M, Zuckerman E, Arkkila P, Stedman C, Acharya S, Aho I, Anand AC, Andersson MI, Arendt V, Baatarkhuu O, Barclay K, Ben-Ari Z, Bergin C, Bessone F, Blach S, Blokhina N, Brunton CR, Choudhuri G, Chulanov V, Cisneros L, Croes EA, Dahgwahdorj YA, Dalgard O, Daruich JR, Dashdorj NR, Davaadorj D, de Vree M, Estes C, Flisiak R, Gadano AC, Gane E, Halota W, Hatzakis A, Henderson C, Hoffmann P, Hornell J, Houlihan D, Hrusovsky S, Jarčuška P, Kershenobich D, Kostrzewska K, Kristian P, Leshno M, Lurie Y, Mahomed A, Mamonova N, Mendez-Sanchez N, Mossong J, Nurmukhametova E, Nymadawa P, Oltman M, Oyunbileg J, Oyunsuren T, Papatheodoridis G, Pimenov N, Prabdial-Sing N, Prins M, Puri P, Radke S, Rakhmanova A, Razavi H, Razavi-Shearer K, Reesink HW, Ridruejo E, Safadi R, Sagalova O, Sanduijav R, Schréter I, Seguin-Devaux C, Shah SR, Shestakova I, Shevaldin A, Shibolet O, Sokolov S, Souliotis K, Spearman CW, Staub T, Strebkova EA, Struck D, Tomasiewicz K, Undram L, van der Meer AJ, van Santen D, Veldhuijzen I, Villamil FG, Willemse S, Zuure FR, Silva MO, Sypsa V, Gower E. Historical epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in select countries - volume 2. J Viral Hepat 2015; 22 Suppl 1:6-25. [PMID: 25560839 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of liver related morbidity and mortality. In many countries, there is a lack of comprehensive epidemiological data that are crucial in implementing disease control measures as new treatment options become available. Published literature, unpublished data and expert consensus were used to determine key parameters, including prevalence, viremia, genotype and the number of patients diagnosed and treated. In this study of 15 countries, viremic prevalence ranged from 0.13% in the Netherlands to 2.91% in Russia. The largest viremic populations were in India (8 666 000 cases) and Russia (4 162 000 cases). In most countries, males had a higher rate of infections, likely due to higher rates of injection drug use (IDU). Estimates characterizing the infected population are critical to focus screening and treatment efforts as new therapeutic options become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Saraswat
- Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
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van den Berg CHSB, van de Laar TJW, Kok A, Zuure FR, Coutinho RA, Prins M. Never injected, but hepatitis C virus-infected: a study among self-declared never-injecting drug users from the Amsterdam Cohort Studies. J Viral Hepat 2009; 16:568-77. [PMID: 19243497 PMCID: PMC2759985 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2009.01105.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to gain insight in transmission routes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among never-injecting drug users (DU) by studying, incidence, prevalence, determinants and molecular epidemiology of HCV infection. From the Amsterdam Cohort Studies among DU, 352 never-injecting DU were longitudinally tested for HCV antibodies. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with antibody prevalence. Part of HCV NS5B was sequenced to determine HCV genotype and for phylogenetic analyses, in which sequences were compared with those from injecting DU. HCV antibody prevalence was 6.3% and HCV incidence was 0.49/1000 PY. HIV-positive status, female sex and starting injection drug use during follow-up (a putative marker of past injection drug use), were independently associated with HCV prevalence. The main genotypes found were genotype 3a (50%) and 1a (30%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that HCV strains in never-injecting DU did not cluster together and did not differ from HCV strains circulating in injecting DU. We found a higher HCV prevalence in never-injecting DU than in the general population. Phylogenetic analysis shows a strong link with the injecting DU population. The increased risk could be related to underreporting of injecting drug use or to household or sexual transmission from injectors to noninjectors. Our findings stress the need for HCV testing of DU who report never injecting, especially given the potential to treat HCV infection effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H S B van den Berg
- Department of Experimental Virology, Center for Infection and Immunology Amsterdam (CINIMA), Academic Medical CenterAmsterdam, The Netherlands,Cluster Infectious Diseases, Department of Research, Amsterdam Health ServiceAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - T J W van de Laar
- Cluster Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Public Health, Amsterdam Health ServiceAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Kok
- Cluster Infectious Diseases, Department of Research, Amsterdam Health ServiceAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - F R Zuure
- Cluster Infectious Diseases, Department of Research, Amsterdam Health ServiceAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R A Coutinho
- Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Center for Public Health and the EnvironmentBilthoven, The Netherlands,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine and AIDS, CINIMA, Academic Medical CenterAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M Prins
- Cluster Infectious Diseases, Department of Research, Amsterdam Health ServiceAmsterdam, The Netherlands,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine and AIDS, CINIMA, Academic Medical CenterAmsterdam, The Netherlands
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Kok A, Zuure FR, Weegink CJ, Coutinho RA, Prins M. [Hepatitis C in the Netherlands: sparse data on the current prevalence and the necessity for epidemiological studies and innovative methods for detecting infected individuals]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2007; 151:2367-2371. [PMID: 18019212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus infection with an estimated 180 million infected individuals worldwide. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may lead to liver failure and cancer of the liver. In 2004, in view of the improved treatment options, the Dutch Health Council again recommended that the groups at risk of HCV infection should be tracked down and informed, and that epidemiological studies should be conducted. Currently, there are few data on the prevalence of HCV infection in the Netherlands. HCV risk groups are (former) injecting drug users, haemodialysis patients and haemophiliacs, people treated with blood or blood products before 1992, people who have undergone certain invasive or medical procedures with insufficiently sterilised instruments, household contacts and partners of HCV-infected individuals and children born to HCV-infected mothers. Insight into the epidemiology of HCV infection in the Netherlands is necessary so that reliable estimates of the magnitude of hepatitis C as a public health problem can be made. Several projects for the detection of HCV infected individuals and epidemiological studies have started in 2007.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kok
- GGD Amsterdam, cluster Infectieziekten, afd. Onderzoek, Postbus 2200, 1000 CE Amsterdam
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