Viral Hepatitis C in Hong Kong

Vol. 49, No. 1-2, 2006

Free Abstract Article (References) Article (PDF 93 KB)

Epidemiology

Viral Hepatitis C in Hong Kong
Nancy Leung^a, Carol M.C. Chu^b, John S. Tam^c

^aAlice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital,
^bPostgraduate Medical School, and
^cDepartment of Microbiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China

Address of Corresponding Author

Intervirology 2006;49:23-27 (DOI: 10.1159/000087259)

Key Words

Chronic hepatitis
Epidemiology
Genotype
Hepatitis B virus
Hepatitis C virus
Hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to serious liver disease. Its medico-socio-economic burden on society can be immense. This study investigates the epidemiology of HCV infection in Hong Kong. Methods: Data from the Department of Health, relevant publications from Medline search and data from two acute hospitals were reviewed. Results: The prevalence of anti-HCV among voluntary blood donors is stable, remaining at approximately 0.035-0.099% over the past 10 years, and is higher in the older age group. Among the high-risk groups, the anti-HCV prevalence is as follows: (1) hospital patients 0.8%, (2) intravenous drug users 46.0%, (3) patients infected with HIV 7.9%, (4) children with transfusion-dependent hematologic disease 16.3%, (5) patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis 1.8%, patients on hemodialysis 16.4%, recipients of kidney transplants 6.2% and (6) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma 7.3%. Among blood donors, 58.8% were infected with HCV genotype 1b and 27.0% with genotype 6a. Genotype 6a is particularly common among intravenous drug users. Conclusion: Hong Kong has a low prevalence of HCV infection. Patients are mostly infected through transfusion with blood or products prior to the introduction of anti-HCV screening to the blood transfusion service. Illicit drug use constitutes another significant risk. Since 1997, there has been a great increase in population movement between China and Hong Kong which might affect the epidemiology of HCV infection.

Author Contacts

Nancy Leung, MD
Department of Medicine, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital
11 Chuen On Road
Taipo, NT, Hong Kong, SAR (China)
Tel./Fax +85 2 2689 3623, E-Mail leungwyn@ha.org.hk

Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 14

Medline Abstract (ID 16166785)

Download Citation

Cited In

This journal is part of the second subject package of the Karger

Journal Archive Collection

Information on packages (PDF)
Free sample issues

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their scientific editing service.