Shoshanna May1, Siew Lin Ngui1, Sarah Collins2, Sam Lattimore2, Mary Ramsay2, Richard S Tedder3, Samreen Ijaz4. 1. Blood Borne Virus Unit, Microbiology Service - Colindale, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK. 2. Immunisation, Hepatitis and Blood Safety Department, Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK. 3. Blood Borne Virus Unit, Microbiology Service - Colindale, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Transfusion Microbiology, NHS Blood and Transplant, Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5BG, UK. 4. Blood Borne Virus Unit, Microbiology Service - Colindale, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK. Electronic address: samreen.ijaz@phe.gov.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Analysis of laboratory testing data collected through the Sentinel Surveillance programme has provided a method for identifying individuals who have recently acquired their hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Access to samples from these individuals provided a rare opportunity to undertake molecular characterization studies. OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiology and genetic diversity of hepatitis C in recent seroconverter infections and to predict how this will impact on HCV treatment and control. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred and forty seven samples were available from individuals, identified to have recently acquired their HCV infection. Genotype determination with additional phylogenetic analysis was carried out on NS5B sequences. Analysis across the NS3 region investigated the presence of antiviral resistance mutations. Where possible, molecular data was linked to demographic and risk/behavioural factor information. RESULTS: The majority of new infections occurred in males with a mean age of 37 years. The most commonly observed genotypes were 1a (49%) and 3a (42%) and injecting drug use (58%) was the most common risk factor. Genotype distribution differed between persons who inject drugs and those with other risk factors suggesting two possible epidemics. Phylogenetic analysis indicated possible transmission networks within specific risk groups. Amino acid changes associated with antiviral resistance were noted in the NS3 region in some samples. CONCLUSIONS: Continued surveillance of linked molecular, virological, demographic and epidemiological information on recently acquired infections will contribute to understanding the on-going HCV epidemic in England.
BACKGROUND: Analysis of laboratory testing data collected through the Sentinel Surveillance programme has provided a method for identifying individuals who have recently acquired their hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Access to samples from these individuals provided a rare opportunity to undertake molecular characterization studies. OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiology and genetic diversity of hepatitis C in recent seroconverter infections and to predict how this will impact on HCV treatment and control. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred and forty seven samples were available from individuals, identified to have recently acquired their HCV infection. Genotype determination with additional phylogenetic analysis was carried out on NS5B sequences. Analysis across the NS3 region investigated the presence of antiviral resistance mutations. Where possible, molecular data was linked to demographic and risk/behavioural factor information. RESULTS: The majority of new infections occurred in males with a mean age of 37 years. The most commonly observed genotypes were 1a (49%) and 3a (42%) and injecting drug use (58%) was the most common risk factor. Genotype distribution differed between persons who inject drugs and those with other risk factors suggesting two possible epidemics. Phylogenetic analysis indicated possible transmission networks within specific risk groups. Amino acid changes associated with antiviral resistance were noted in the NS3 region in some samples. CONCLUSIONS: Continued surveillance of linked molecular, virological, demographic and epidemiological information on recently acquired infections will contribute to understanding the on-going HCV epidemic in England.
Authors: Chaturaka Rodrigo; Melanie R Walker; Preston Leung; Auda A Eltahla; Jason Grebely; Gregory J Dore; Tanya Applegate; Kimberly Page; Sunita Dwivedi; Julie Bruneau; Meghan D Morris; Andrea L Cox; William Osburn; Arthur Y Kim; Janke Schinkel; Naglaa H Shoukry; Georg M Lauer; Lisa Maher; Margaret Hellard; Maria Prins; Fabio Luciani; Andrew R Lloyd; Rowena A Bull Journal: Infect Genet Evol Date: 2017-01-05 Impact factor: 3.342
Authors: Priscilla Martins Ferreira; Rafael Alves Guimarães; Christiane Moreira Souza; Lara Cristina da Cunha Guimarães; Cleiciane Vieira de Lima Barros; Karlla Antonieta Amorim Caetano; Giovanni Rezza; Lila Spadoni; Sandra Maria Brunini Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2017-01-18 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Sofia R Bartlett; Tanya L Applegate; Brendan P Jacka; Marianne Martinello; Francois Mj Lamoury; Mark Danta; Daniel Bradshaw; David Shaw; Andrew R Lloyd; Margaret Hellard; Gregory J Dore; Gail V Matthews; Jason Grebely Journal: J Int AIDS Soc Date: 2019-02 Impact factor: 5.396