Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, 402 S Wilbur Ave 1 Guthrie Square, Sayre, PA 18840, USA.
Published: January 2022
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Introduction And Objectives: The majority of studies regarding hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevention, screening, and treatment have been conducted in urban populations, and it is unlikely that their findings are broadly generalizable to nonurban populations. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and risk factors of HCV infection in the rural northeastern United States (US) to provide further clinical guidance for HCV screening.
Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective review of all patients older than 18 years evaluated at an integrated healthcare system, serving northern Pennsylvania and southern and central New York, who received first-time HCV screening from January 2014 to December 2019.
Results: 30,549 patients were screened, of which 1.7% were HCV antibody positive. From 2014 to 2018, the incidence of positive HCV antibody screening cases per 100,000 population increased two-fold from 18.1 in 2014 to 40.4 in 2018. The age of positive HCV antibody patients peaked at 29.13 (95% CI 26.15-31.77) and 59.93 (95% CI 58.71-61.17). Positive HCV antibody was associated with positive urine drug screen (OR 5.9; 95% CI 3.8-9.3), narcotic use (OR 25.4; 95% CI 8.7-77.8), and overdose (OR 17.5; 95% CI 3.0-184.6).
Conclusions: In this rural northeastern US population, there is an increasing incidence of positive HCV screening with a bimodal age of distribution. Risk factors associated with opioid use reflect challenges to disease eradication in this population. We propose a one-time screening for persons aged 35 to 40 will aid in earlier HCV infection diagnosis and treatment in rural populations.
Aim: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of massive hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing in point of care on the street using quick tests, determine the characteristics of the population included, and the prevalence of HCV infection in this population.
Methods: Cross-sectional community-based study including adult men who have sex with men (MSM) who attended the three most important LGTB+ events in Sitges (Catalonia, Spain) in 2022. Points of care were set up on tents on the street and attendees were offered voluntary anti-HCV antibody self-testing.
Background: Morphea is a skin condition marked by erythematous and hardened inflammatory lesions that can progress to atrophic and sclerotic plaques. In this case report, we present a case of a pregnant woman who showed morphea presentation.
Case Presentation: A 37-year-old GPL woman with a gestational age of 32 weeks and 2 days was referred to the hospital with complaints of swelling, pain, and erythema in both legs for the past week, without any obstetric complaints.
Background: Approximately 10% of people with HIV in Australia had active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prior to availability of government-subsidized direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in 2016. This analysis evaluated progress toward HCV elimination among people with HIV in Australia between 2014 and 2023.
Methods: The CEASE cohort study enrolled adults with HIV with past or current HCV infection (anti-HCV antibody positive) from 14 primary and tertiary clinics.
Long-term outcomes of using hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive donors in HCV-negative recipients in liver transplantation (LT) are not well established. Data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database between July 1, 2015, and December 31, 2023, were analyzed. The cohort included 44,447 HCV antibody-negative (Ab-) candidates who underwent deceased donor LT.
