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.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

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  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

  Publication Details

Intervirology (International Journal of Basic and Medical Virology)

Vol. 49, No. 1-2, Year 2006 (Cover Date: 2006)

Journal Editor: Liebert, U.G. (Leipzig)
ISSN: 0300-5526 (print), 1423-0100 (Online)

For additional information: http://www.karger.com/int

  Drug Dosage / Copyright

Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in goverment regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or, in the case of photocopying, direct payment of a specified fee to the Copyright Clearance Center.