Prevalence and epidemiology of chronic hepatitis C among prisoners of Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

Pompilio MA (1), Pontes ERJC (1), Castro ARCM (1), Andrade SMO (1), Stief ACF (1), Martins RMB (2), Mousquer GJ (1), Murat PG (1), Francisco RBL (3), Pompilio SAL (4), Rezende GR (4), Elias-Junior E (5)

(1) Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, UFMS, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil; (2) Federal University of Goiás, UFG, Goiânia, Goiás State, Brazil; (3) Central Laboratory of Public Health, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil; (4) Anhanguera Education Center-UNIDERP, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil; (5) São Julião Hospital, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil.

Abstract: In Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, the number of prisoners has increased in the recent years and the control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become more complex. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence and identify the genotypes of HCV in prisoners as well as the factors associated with this infectious disease. Thereby, 443 men and 243 women from prisons were interviewed and subjected to blood collection. Anti-HCV reactive samples were analyzed by RT-PCR and genotyped. The overall seroprevalence of HCV infection was 4.8% (95%CI: 3.4 to 6.8%). Furthermore, the prevalence was higher in: men, injecting drug users, tattooed persons, those who were more than 50 years old, individuals who have been arrested multiple times, people with previous history of sexually transmitted disease (STD), persons who received blood transfusions or those with HIV/AIDS. The prevalence of RNA HCV by PCR was 3.0% (95%CI: 1.7 to 4.2%). Moreover, the coinfection of HIV and HCV was 33.3%. In addition, genotype 1 was the most frequent (85%) followed by genotype 3 (15%). The screening strategy for HCV and other infectious diseases in inmates is important as it establishes an early diagnosis, opportunity for treatment and allows the breaking of the transmission chain.

Key words: hepatitis C, genotype, polymerase chain reaction, epidemiology, prisoners.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are thankful to Manoel de Barros Foundation and The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the financial support.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2011

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: February 1, 2011.

Accepted: April 12, 2011.

Abstract published online: April 12, 2011.

Full paper published online: May 31, 2011.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

There is no conflict.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

Manoel de Barros Foundation and UNESCO provided the financial grants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (CEP/UFMS) under the protocol number 1461/09. Moreover, all subjects included in the present research signed an informed consent form.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

MAURÍCIO ANTONIO POMPILIO, rua Tricordiano, 496, Campo Grande, MS, 79051-150, Brasil. Phone: +55 67 3026 8715. Fax: +55 67 3026 8715. Email: mapompilio@yahoo.com.br.