BACKGROUND: The rate of spontaneous HCV viral clearance is reported as 20-25% but recent data indicate a higher frequency in some cohorts. The rate of spontaneous clearance in intravenous drug users has not been reported in an Irish setting. AIMS: To determine the rate of spontaneous hepatitis C viral clearance and genotype in an Irish intravenous drug-using cohort. METHODS: Drug users attending five drug treatment clinics in the Dublin were investigated. Data were prospectively recorded from January 1997 to June 2001 and follow-up testing completed in 2003. There were 496 HCV antibody positive patients identified and assessed for HCV RNA clearance. All were HIV and hepatitis B negative, 68.8% were male. RESULTS: HCV RNA negativity (viral clearance) was documented in 38% of patients. Viral clearance was 47.4% in females and 34.5% in males (p = 000.6). Clearance was independent of age or duration of intravenous drug use. Viral clearance as defined as two negative consecutive HCV RNA tests, a minimum of one year apart, was sustained in 82.2% at two-year follow-up, giving an overall viral clearance of 31.1%. HCV genotype 1 and 3 were most commonly identified at 48.8% and 48.5% respectively in those with chronic infection. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous HCV viral clearance occurs at a higher frequency than previously reported. Genotype 1 and 3 are commonest in the patient cohort.
BACKGROUND: The rate of spontaneous HCV viral clearance is reported as 20-25% but recent data indicate a higher frequency in some cohorts. The rate of spontaneous clearance in intravenous drug users has not been reported in an Irish setting. AIMS: To determine the rate of spontaneous hepatitis C viral clearance and genotype in an Irish intravenous drug-using cohort. METHODS: Drug users attending five drug treatment clinics in the Dublin were investigated. Data were prospectively recorded from January 1997 to June 2001 and follow-up testing completed in 2003. There were 496 HCV antibody positive patients identified and assessed for HCV RNA clearance. All were HIV and hepatitis B negative, 68.8% were male. RESULTS: HCV RNA negativity (viral clearance) was documented in 38% of patients. Viral clearance was 47.4% in females and 34.5% in males (p = 000.6). Clearance was independent of age or duration of intravenous drug use. Viral clearance as defined as two negative consecutive HCV RNA tests, a minimum of one year apart, was sustained in 82.2% at two-year follow-up, giving an overall viral clearance of 31.1%. HCV genotype 1 and 3 were most commonly identified at 48.8% and 48.5% respectively in those with chronic infection. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous HCV viral clearance occurs at a higher frequency than previously reported. Genotype 1 and 3 are commonest in the patient cohort.
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Authors: Charlotte H B S van den Berg; Bart P X Grady; Janke Schinkel; Thijs van de Laar; Richard Molenkamp; Robin van Houdt; Roel A Coutinho; Debbie van Baarle; Maria Prins Journal: PLoS One Date: 2011-11-15 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Lucas Wiessing; Marica Ferri; Bart Grady; Maria Kantzanou; Ida Sperle; Katelyn J Cullen; Angelos Hatzakis; Maria Prins; Peter Vickerman; Jeffrey V Lazarus; Vivian D Hope; Catharina Matheï Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-07-28 Impact factor: 3.240