A systematic review of hepatitis C virus epidemiology in Asia, Australia and Egypt

Liver International - Tập 31 Số s2 - Trang 61-80 - 2011
William Sievert1, Ibrahim Altraif, Homie Razavi, Ayman A. Abdo, Ezzat Ali Ahmed, Ameen Al-Omair, Deepak Amarapurkar, Chien‐Hung Chen, Xiaoguang Dou, Hisham R El‐Khayat, Mohamed B. Elshazly, Gamal Esmat, R Guan, Kwang‐Hyub Han, Kazuhiko Koike, Angela Largen, Geoffrey W. McCaughan, Sherif Mogawer, Ali Monis, Arif Nawaz, Teerha Piratvisuth, Faisal M. Sanai, Ala I. Sharara, Scott Sibbel, Ajit Sood, Dong Jin Suh, Carolyn Wallace, Kendra A. Young, Francesco Negro
1Monash Medical Centre and Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

Tóm tắt

AbstractBackground: The hepatitis C pandemic has been systematically studied and characterized in North America and Europe, but this important public health problem has not received equivalent attention in other regions.Aim: The objective of this systematic review was to characterize hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology in selected countries of Asia, Australia and Egypt, i.e. in a geographical area inhabited by over 40% of the global population.Methodology: Data references were identified through indexed journals and non‐indexed sources. In this work, 7770 articles were reviewed and 690 were selected based on their relevance.Results: We estimated that 49.3–64.0 million adults in Asia, Australia and Egypt are anti‐HCV positive. China alone has more HCV infections than all of Europe or the Americas. While most countries had prevalence rates from 1 to 2% we documented several with relatively high prevalence rates, including Egypt (15%), Pakistan (4.7%) and Taiwan (4.4%). Nosocomial infection, blood transfusion (before screening) and injection drug use were identified as common risk factors in the region. Genotype 1 was common in Australia, China, Taiwan and other countries in North Asia, while genotype 6 was found in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. In India and Pakistan genotype 3 was predominant, while genotype 4 was found in Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria.Conclusion: We recommend implementation of surveillance systems to guide effective public health policy that may lead to the eventual curtailment of the spread of this pandemic infection.

Từ khóa


Tài liệu tham khảo

Chiquete E, 2007, Low prevalence of anti‐hepatitis C virus antibodies in Mexico, a systematic review, 50, 1

10.1128/JCM.40.5.1656-1659.2002

10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02535.x

10.1046/j.1440-1746.1999.02014.x

10.1016/S1386-6532(02)00116-6

Dore GJ, 2003, Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in Australia, Aust Fam Physician, 32, 796

10.1111/j.1440-1746.2003.03270.x

Department of Health and Ageing.National Hepatitis C Testing Policy. Hepatitis C subcommittee of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on AIDS Sexual Health and Hepatitis Australia 2007.

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2007.05.026

10.1177/0962280208094689

Amin J, 2004, Hepatitis C prevalence‐a nationwide serosurvey, Commun Dis Intell, 28, 517

10.1093/ije/dyg101

Wasley A, 2000, Epidemiology of hepatitis C, geographic differences and temporal trends, 20, 1

10.1053/jinf.2002.1059

10.1016/S0168-8278(99)80381-X

10.1016/j.jinf.2009.02.014

Falster K, 2009, Hepatitis C virus acquisition among injecting drug users, a cohort analysis of a national repeated cross-sectional survey of needle and syringe program attendees in Australia, 1995–2004, 86, 106

10.1071/SH05014

McDonald A., 2000, HIV infection, AIDS, hepatitis C, and sexually transmissible infections in Australia, national surveillance results to December 1998, 11, 58

10.1111/j.1479-828X.2000.tb03332.x

10.1046/j.1537-2995.1997.37197176954.x

10.5694/j.1326-5377.1992.tb137122.x

10.1182/blood.V78.9.2462.2462

National notifiable diseases surveillance system.Austrialian Government Department of Health and Aging 2009. Available athttp://www9.health.gov.au/cda/source/Rpt_5_sel.cfm(accessed 10 October 2010).

10.1111/j.1440-1746.1997.tb00404.x

10.1046/j.1365-2893.1997.00060.x

10.1111/j.1440-1746.1998.tb00761.x

Mak I, 2009, Surveillance of Viral Hepatitis in Hong Kong – 2008

Zhao SM, 2008, HCV infection in voluntary donors and its influence on recruitment of donors in Chongqing area, Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi, 16, 676

10.3201/eid1511.090263

10.1111/j.1537-2995.2008.01673.x

10.3201/eid1101.031005

Wei D, 2004, Detection of HCV antibody in 1 280 inpatients admitted not for infectious diseases, Di Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao, 24, 1125, 1129

Chen YD, 2002, Hepatitis C virus infections and genotypes in China, Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int, 1, 194

Qu JB, 2000, Urban–rural comparison of HBV and HCV infection prevalence in eastern China, Biomed Environ Sci, 13, 243

Zhang ZW, 2000, Hepatitis B and C virus infection among adult women in Jilin Province, China, an urban-rural comparison in prevalence of infection markers, 31, 530

Chen M, 1999, A prevalence study on hepatitis C infection in 4,055 healthy children of Beijing, Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi, 33, 158

Huang F, 1998, Study on HCV infection and the distribution of HCV genotypes in different populations in Shenyang area, Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi, 19, 134

Shimbo S, 1998, Prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection markers among adult women in urban and rural areas in Shaanxi Province, China, Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 29, 263

10.1023/A:1007320118967

10.1007/BF02888018

10.1016/0928-0197(93)90029-5

10.1111/j.1440-1746.1992.tb00946.x

Tao QM, 1992, Preliminary report on seroepidemiology of HCV and HBV infection in northern China, Chin Med J, 105, 209

10.1159/000087259

Ding X, 2003, Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis viruses and genotypic distribution of hepatitis B and C viruses in Harbin, China, Jpn J Infect Dis, 56, 19

Sun Y, 1995, Anti‐hepatitis C virus screening to prevent hepatitis C virus infection in blood donors, Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi, 34, 696

10.1002/jmv.1890450211

10.1111/j.1440-1746.1994.tb01718.x

10.1016/S0168-8278(94)80112-6

Tang S., 1993, Seroepidemiological study on hepatitis C virus infection among blood donors from various regions in China, Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi, 14, 271

Wu X., 1993, Investigation on anti‐HCV antibody in Shashi District, Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi, 14, 331

Zhang YY, 1993, Antibodies to hepatitis C virus and hepatitis C virus RNA in Chinese blood donors determined by ELISA, recombinant immunoblot assay and polymerase chain reaction, Chin Med J, 106, 171

10.1111/j.1537-2995.2007.01424.x

10.1002/jmv.20578

Lu L, 2005, Hepatitis C virus genotype distribution in China, predominance of closely related subtype 1b isolates and existence of new genotype 6 variants, 75, 538

Xie Y, 2004, The difference in distribution of HCV genotypes between patients infected with HCV by transfusion and non‐transfusion routes, Zhonghua Shi Yan He Lin Chuang Bing Du Xue Za Zhi, 18, 247

Xu B, 2000, Epidemiological aspects of the genotype of hepatitis C virus, Zhonghua Shi Yan He Lin Chuang Bing Du Xue Za Zhi, 14, 148

El‐Zanaty F, 2009, Egypt Demographic and Health Survey, 2008

10.1016/S0140-6736(99)06527-7

Medhat A, 2002, Hepatitis c in a community in Upper Egypt, risk factors for infection, 66, 633

Mostafa A, 2003, Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C in pediatric malignancies, J Egypt Natl Canc Inst, 15, 33

10.1093/ije/dyh370

10.1136/gut.2007.140681

10.1016/j.jhep.2005.03.021

El Damaty SI, 2007, Surveillance system for HCV infection, testing a model based on blood banks, 82, 451

10.3748/wjg.v13.i12.1828

Agha S, 2006, Prevalence of low positive anti‐HCV antibodies in blood donors, schistosoma mansoni co-infection and possible role of autoantibodies, 50, 447

El‐Gilany AH, 2006, Bloodborne infections among student voluntary blood donors in Mansoura University, Egypt, East Mediterr Health J, 12, 742

10.1007/s00239-003-2541-3

10.1016/S0035-9203(97)90070-5

Bassily S, 1995, A high risk of hepatitis C infection among Egyptian blood donors, the role of parenteral drug abuse, 52, 503

Darwish NM, 1995, Study of the high prevalence of HCV in Egypt, J Egypt Public Health Assoc, 70, 397

10.1016/0001-706X(95)00075-P

McOmish F, 1994, Geographical distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in blood donors, an international collaborative survey, 32, 884

Darwish NM, 1992, Hepatitis C virus infection in blood donors in Egypt, J Egypt Public Health Assoc, 67, 223

Eassa S, 2007, Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and evaluation of a health education program in el‐ghar village in zagazig, egypt, J Egypt Public Health Assoc, 82, 379

10.1136/gut.2006.091983

10.1136/gut.2005.078147

10.1002/jmv.20679

el‐Sadawy M, 2004, Hepatitis C virus infection at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, seroprevalence and associated risk factors, 34, 367

Pybus OG, 2003, The epidemiology and iatrogenic transmission of hepatitis C virus in Egypt, a Bayesian coalescent approach, 20, 381

10.4269/ajtmh.2002.67.436

Nafeh MA, 2000, Hepatitis C in a community in Upper Egypt, I. Cross-sectional survey, 63, 236

Abdel‐Aziz F, 2000, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a community in the Nile Delta, population description and HCV prevalence, 32, 111

10.1016/S0301-2115(97)00130-9

Darwish MA, 1996, High seroprevalence of hepatitis A, B, C, and E viruses in residents in an Egyptian village in The Nile Delta, a pilot study, 54, 554

el‐Sayed NM, 1996, Seroprevalence survey of Egyptian tourism workers for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and Treponema pallidum infections, association of hepatitis C virus infections with specific regions of Egypt, 55, 179

10.1093/tropej/41.6.341

10.1016/S0934-8840(11)80205-7

10.4269/ajtmh.1994.51.563

10.1080/00034983.1994.11812897

Farghaly AG, 1993, Prevalence, impact and risk factors of hepatitis C infection, J Egypt Public Health Assoc, 68, 63

10.1073/pnas.1008877107

10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.04.011

10.1099/vir.0.82626-0

10.1086/315786

El‐Zayadi A, 1994, Hepatitis C virus genotypes among HCV‐chronic liver disease patients in Egypt, a leading trial, 69, 327

National AIDS Control Organization (NACO).An action plan for blood safety. National AIDS Control Organisation Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Govt. of India 2003.

10.1136/bmj.320.7241.1026

10.1016/j.ijid.2008.02.006

10.1002/jmv.20561

Thakral B, 2006, Prevalence & significance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) seropositivity in blood donors, Indian J Med Res, 124, 431

10.1046/j.1440-1746.2000.02110.x

10.1016/S1386-6532(02)00025-2

Chowdhury A, 2003, Hepatitis C virus infection in the general population, a community-based study in West Bengal, India, 37, 802

Sood A, 2004, Chronic hepatitis C in northern India‐the pathological and clinical spectrum, J Assoc Physicians India, 52, 380

Sood A, 2002, Hepatitis C – knowledge & practices among the family physicians, Trop Gastroenterol, 23, 198

Kumar A, 2007, Prevalence & risk factors for hepatitis C virus among pregnant women, Indian J Med Res, 126, 211

Makroo RN, 2008, Multicenter evaluation of individual donor nucleic acid testing (NAT) for simultaneous detection of human immunodeficiency virus ‐1 & hepatitis B & C viruses in Indian blood donors, Indian J Med Res, 127, 140

Pahuja S, 2007, Prevalence and trends of markers of hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus in Delhi blood donors, a hospital based study, 60, 389

Bagga PK, 2007, Seroprevalence of hepatitis C antibodies in healthy blood donors‐a prospective study, Indian J Pathol Microbiol, 50, 429

Bhattacharya P, 2007, Significant increase in HBV, HCV, HIV and syphilis infections among blood donors in West Bengal, Eastern India 2004–2005, exploratory screening reveals high frequency of occult HBV infection, 13, 3730

Gupta N, 2004, Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis in voluntary blood donors, Indian J Med Sci, 58, 255

Singh B, 2004, Infectious markers in blood donors of East Delhi, prevalence and trends, 47, 477

Patel Y., 2004, Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis in blood donors, Indian J Med Sci, 58, 306

10.1023/A:1024887211146

Garg S, 2001, Comparison of seropositivity of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis in replacement and voluntary blood donors in western India, Indian J Pathol Microbiol, 44, 409

Chandrasekaran S, 2000, Relative prevalence of hepatitis B viral markers and hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti HCV) in Madurai, south India, Indian J Med Sci, 54, 270

10.1046/j.1423-0410.2000.78402542.x

Panigrahi AK, 1997, Magnitude of hepatitis C virus infection in India, prevalence in healthy blood donors, acute and chronic liver diseases, 51, 167

10.1046/j.1423-0410.1997.73402573.x

Jaiswal SP, 1996, Prevalence of anti‐HCV antibodies in central India, Indian J Med Res, 104, 177

Arankalle VA, 1995, Prevalence of anti‐HCV antibodies in western India, Indian J Med Res, 101, 91

Jindal N, 2008, Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus in three groups of populations at high risk of HIV infection in Amritsar (Punjab), Northern India, Jpn J Infect Dis, 61, 79, 10.7883/yoken.JJID.2008.79

10.1016/j.meegid.2009.04.001

10.1007/s12664-009-0018-z

10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2008.03.011

10.1016/j.meegid.2007.03.001

10.1016/j.jcv.2004.03.019

Singh S, 2004, Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection in India, Indian J Med Res, 119, 145

Das BR, 2002, Geographical distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in India, Indian J Pathol Microbiol, 45, 323

Amarapurkar D, 2001, Prevalence of hepatitis C genotypes in Indian patients and their clinical significance, J Assoc Physicians India, 49, 983

Panigrahi AK, 1996, Genotype determination of hepatitis C virus from northern India, identification of a new subtype, 48, 191

10.1099/0022-1317-76-3-711

10.1620/tjem.215.33

10.1159/000252782

10.1159/000024974

10.1159/000087257

Ohto H, 2010, Declining hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence in pregnant women, impact of anti-HCV screening of donated blood, 693

10.1007/s005350050073

10.1007/BF02989195

10.1159/000076640

Fujiyama S, 2000, Hepatitis C, epidemiology and therapy – with special reference to long-term prognosis after IFN therapy, 48, 5

10.1007/BF02347614

10.1111/j.1574-6976.1994.tb00096.x

Kihara M, 1993, Prevalence of hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus infection among Japanese female prostitutes, Nippon Koshu Eisei Zasshi, 40, 387

10.1007/BF02989200

Watanabe S, 1990, Prevalence and heterogeneity of serum DNA polymerase activity in patients with non‐A, non‐B hepatitis and HBsAg‐negative blood donors with elevated SGPT, Hepatogastroenterology, 37, 126

Matsumoto K, 2008, Present status of community‐based HCV screening in Osaka City and evaluation of the utility of follow‐up programs on hepatitis], Nippon Koshu Eisei Zasshi, 55, 75

10.1539/joh.49.9

Taguchi S, 2004, Epidemiological study of hepatitis B and C in 34,336 patients operated at Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital during the period from 1993 to 2000, Masui, 53, 696

10.1016/j.pnpbp.2004.01.018

10.1016/S0886-3350(02)01335-4

10.1016/S1386-6346(01)00161-9

10.1046/j.1365-2893.2002.00331.x

10.1155/S1064744901000357

10.4269/ajtmh.2000.62.92

10.1620/tjem.188.311

Kuboki M, 1999, A cohort study of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in an HCV epidemic area of Japan, age and sex-related seroprevalence of anti-HCV antibody, frequency of viremia, biochemical abnormality and histological changes, 19, 88

10.2188/jea.8.250

10.11150/kansenshogakuzasshi1970.71.103

Fukuizumi K, 1997, Hepatitis C virus seroconversion rate in a hyperendemic area of HCV in Japan, a prospective study, 29, 345

10.3109/00365549709008659

Watanabe Y, 1996, Survey for hepatitis in an isolated endemic area, Nippon Koshu Eisei Zasshi, 43, 989

10.1111/j.1365-2893.1996.tb00104.x

Ishibashi M, 1996, Prevalence of inhabitants with anti‐hepatitis C virus antibody in an area following an acute hepatitis C epidemic, age-and area-related features, 6, 1

10.1177/095646249500600613

10.1007/BF00295906

Hayashi J, 1995, Transmission of hepatitis C virus by health care workers in a rural area of Japan, Am J Gastroenterol, 90, 794

10.1002/jmv.1890450403

Fukui M., 1995, Natural history of HCV seropositive cases found in health screening, Hokkaido Igaku Zasshi, 70, 69

Kiyosawa K, 1994, Transmission of hepatitis C in an isolated area in Japan, community-acquired infection. The South Kiso Hepatitis Study Group, 106, 1596

10.1007/BF02358365

10.2739/kurumemedj.41.41

10.11150/kansenshogakuzasshi1970.67.635

10.1016/0163-4453(93)96680-O

10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a116579

Suou T, 1992, Prevalence of HCV antibodies in Yatsuka town of Simane prefecture, Japan, Nippon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi, 89, 1173

Fujiyama S, 1992, Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in hemodialysis patients and dialysis staff, Hepatogastroenterology, 39, 161

Tanaka E, 1992, Prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus in Japanese schoolchildren, comparison with adult blood donors, 46, 460

10.1111/j.1440-1746.1991.tb00918.x

Michitaka K, 1991, An epidemiological study of hepatitis C virus infection in a local district in Japan, Rinsho Byori, 39, 586

Ito S, 1991, Massive sero‐epidemiological survey of hepatitis C virus, clustering of carriers on the southwest coast of Tsushima, Japan, 82, 1

10.1159/000118794

Katayama K, 2001, Past trends in hepatitis C virus infection and route of transmission in Japan, Rinsho Byori, 49, 741

10.1128/JCM.35.1.201-207.1997

10.1007/BF02348667

10.1007/BF02365439

Shin HR, 2005, The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in Korea, pooled analysis, 20, 985

10.1159/000087258

10.3346/jkms.2002.17.2.187

Shin HR, 2002, Hepatitis B and C virus prevalence in a rural area of South Korea, the role of acupuncture, 87, 314

10.1159/000087266

Kwon JH, 2008, Current status and clinical course of hepatitis C virus in Korea, Korean J Gastroenterol, 51, 360

10.3346/jkms.1992.7.4.333

10.1016/S1386-6346(99)00074-1

Park YM, 1991, Seroprevalence of antibody against hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV) in various groups of individuals in Korea, Gastroenterol Jpn, 26, 159, 10.1007/BF02779289

Baek EJ, 2008, The trends for nationwide blood collection and the supply of blood in Korea during 2002–2006, Korean J Blood Transfus, 19, 83

10.3350/kjhep.2008.14.1.28

10.1099/00222615-47-7-643

10.3904/kjim.1997.12.1.21

10.1002/(SICI)1096-9071(199605)49:1<55::AID-JMV9>3.0.CO;2-J

10.1002/jmv.1890460415

10.3748/wjg.15.1607

Ali SA, 2009, Hepatitis B and hepatitis C in Pakistan, prevalence and risk factors, 13, 9

Raja NS, 2008, Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in Pakistan, J Microbiol Immunol Infect, 41, 4

10.1186/1471-2334-8-69

10.1111/j.1751-2980.2008.00329.x

10.1097/01.mcg.0000153286.02694.14

10.21101/cejph.a3489

Umar M, 2010, Hepatitis C in Pakistan, a review of available data, 10, 205

Jafri W, 2008, Hepatitis C in Pakistan, magnitude, genotype, disease characteristics and therapeutic response, 29, 194

10.1057/jphp.2008.7

10.1186/1471-2334-8-43

Abdul Mujeeb S, 2006, Hepatitis B and C infection in first‐time blood donors in Karachi‐a possible subgroup for sentinel surveillance, East Mediterr Health J, 12, 735

10.1111/j.1365-2893.2004.00518.x

Khattak MF, 2002, Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV in blood donors in northern Pakistan, J Pak Med Assoc, 52, 398

Abdul Mujeeb S, 2000, Seroprevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV infections among college going first time voluntary blood donors, J Pak Med Assoc, 50, 269

Kakepoto GN, 1996, Epidemiology of blood‐borne viruses, a study of healthy blood donors in Southern Pakistan, 27, 703

Sami S, 2009, Prevalence of hepatitis B and C, a Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre experience, 35, 533

Abbas Z, 2008, Prevalence and mode of spread of hepatitis B and C in rural Sindh, Pakistan, Trop Gastroenterol, 29, 210

Butt T, 2008, Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C infections among young adult males in Pakistan, East Mediterr Health J, 14, 791

10.1186/1471-2334-8-147

Ahmad N, 2007, An evidence of high prevalence of Hepatitis C virus in Faisalabad, Pakistan, Saudi Med J, 28, 390

Aziz S, 2007, Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis viruses A, C, E, antibodies and HBSAG‐prevalence and associated risk factors in pediatric communities of Karachi, J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 17, 195

Mirza IA, 2007, Frequency of Hepatitis B surface antigen and anti‐HCV in young adults‐experience in southern Punjab, J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 17, 114

Alam M, 2006, Frequency of hepatitis B and C in central Punjab, Pak J Pathol, 17, 140

Jafri W, 2006, Hepatitis B and C, prevalence and risk factors associated with seropositivity among children in Karachi, Pakistan, 6, 101

Mirza IA, 2006, Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C in young adults seeking recruitment in armed forces, Pak Armed Forces Med J, 56, 192

Sherif TB, 2006, Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C in healthy adult male recruits, Pak J Pathol, 17, 147

Muhammad N, 2005, Frequency of hepatitis “C” in Buner, NWFP, J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 15, 11

Waseem R, 2005, Seroprevalence of HbsAg and anti‐HCV in Ghurki Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Ann King Edward Med Coll, 11, 232

Khokhar N, 2004, General seroprevalence of hepatitis C and hepatitis B virus infections in population, J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 14, 534

Rizvi TJ, 2003, Frequency of hepatitis C in obstetric cases, J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 13, 688

Shaikh MA, 2003, Frequency and transmission mode of hepatitis C virus in northern Sindh, J Coll Physicians Surg Pak, 13, 691

Aziz S, 2002, Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and C amongst health workers of Civil Hospital Karachi, J Pak Med Assoc, 52, 92

10.1097/00004836-200111000-00013

Khan AJ, 2000, Unsafe injections and the transmission of hepatitis B and C in a periurban community in Pakistan, Bull World Health Organ, 78, 956

Tanwani AK, 2000, Prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen and Anti‐Hepatitis C Virus in laboratory based data at Islamabad, J Surg, 19, 25

Tariq WU, 1999, Demographic aspects of hepatitis C in northern Pakistan, J Pak Med Assoc, 49, 198

10.1017/S0950268897007899

10.1007/BF02751716

Ally SH, 2005, HBsAg and HCV, increasing test requests and decreasing frequency of positive tests at clinical laboratory of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, 17, 81

10.1111/j.1440-1746.1997.tb00366.x

Al‐Faleh FZ, 1995, Profile of hepatitis C virus and the possible modes of transmission of the virus in the Gizan area of Saudi Arabia, a community-based study, 89, 431

10.1111/j.1365-2893.1996.tb00087.x

Ahmad MS, 1995, Prevalence of antibodies against the hepatitis C virus among voluntary blood donors at a makkah hospital, Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl, 6, 122

Altraif I., 1995, Hepatitis C acquisition in Saudi Arabia, are the majority of cases without risk factor?, 15, 428

Fakeeh M, 1999, Hepatitis C, prevalence and common genotypes among ethnic groups in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 61, 889

Mahaba H, 1999, The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in Hail region, Saudi Arabia, J Egypt Public Health Assoc, 74, 69

al Nasser MN., 1992, Intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major mode of spread in the Saudi Arabia population, 12, 211

Ayoola EA, 1992, Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus among Saudi patients with chronic liver diseases, Hepatogastroenterology, 39, 337

10.1111/j.1423-0410.1991.tb00894.x

10.1111/j.1365-2257.2004.00601.x

El‐Hazmi MM., 2004, Prevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV‐1, 2 and HTLV‐I/II infections among blood donors in a teaching hospital in the Central region of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Med J, 25, 26

Qadi AA, 2004, Hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus prevalence among dialysis patients in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, a survey by serologic and molecular methods, 32, 493

Tamimi WG, 2004, Impact of new AABB guidelines on hepatitis B and C testing among Saudi blood donors, Br J Biomed Sci, 61, 215, 10.1080/09674845.2004.11732675

Shobokshi OA, 2003, Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence rate among Saudis, Saudi Med J, 24, S81

Abdelaal M, 1994, Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus, a study of male blood donors in Saudi Arabia, 34, 135

Al‐Mofarreh M, 1991, Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in blood donors in Riyadh, Ann Saudi Med, 11, 501, 10.5144/0256-4947.1991.501

10.5144/0256-4947.1991.563

10.1002/jmv.21075

Njoh J, 1997, Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in drug‐dependent patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, East Afr Med J, 74, 89

Saxena AK, 2001, Prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies among hemodialysis patients in Al‐hasa region of saudi arabia, Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl, 12, 562

Harakati MS, 2000, Hepatitis C Virus infection in Saudi Arab patients with B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, Saudi Med J, 21, 755

Soyannwo MA, 1996, Hepatitis C antibodies in haemodialysis and pattern of end‐stage renal failure in Gassim, Saudi Arabia, Afr J Med Med Sci, 25, 13

Huraib S, 1995, High prevalence of and risk factors for hepatitis C in haemodialysis patients in Saudi Arabia, a need for new dialysis strategies, 10, 470

10.1111/j.1440-1746.1992.tb00970.x

Jamjoom GA, 1992, Serodiagnosis of hepatitis C in acute and chronic liver disease in southwestern Saudi Arabia, J Trop Med Hyg, 95, 428

10.1159/000168462

10.1002/jmv.1890350303

Al‐Faleh FZ, 1991, Prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus among Saudi Arabian children, a community-based study, 14, 215

Al‐Tawfiq JA, 2008, Profile of viral hepatitis A, B, and C in a Saudi Arabian hospital, Med Sci Monit, 14, CR52

10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.08.001

10.1016/j.ijid.2009.03.027

Al‐Traif I, 2004, Chronic hepatitis C. Genotypes and response to anti‐viral therapy among Saudi patients, Saudi Med J, 25, 1935

Shobokshi OA, 2003, Hepatitis C genotypes/subtypes among chronic hepatitis patients in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Med J, 24, S87

10.5144/0256-4947.2000.394

10.5144/0256-4947.1997.601

10.1016/S1386-6346(02)00080-3

Bosmans JL, 1997, Prevalence and clinical expression of HCV‐genotypes in haemodialysis‐patients of two geographically remote countries, Belgium and Saudi-Arabia, 47, 256

10.1002/(SICI)1096-9071(199905)58:1<44::AID-JMV6>3.0.CO;2-U

10.1111/j.1365-2893.1995.tb00044.x

10.1017/S095026880800054X

Othman BM, 2002, Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among intravenous drug abusers and prostitutes in Damascus, Syria, Saudi Med J, 23, 393

10.1007/s15010-001-9156-7

Othman BM, 2001, Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among health care workers in Damascus, Syria, Saudi Med J, 22, 603

Abdulkarim AS, 1998, Hepatitis C virus genotypes and hepatitis G virus in hemodialysis patients from Syria, identification of two novel hepatitis C virus subtypes, 59, 571

Tsai MC, 2007, Excess mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma and morbidity of liver cirrhosis and hepatitis in HCV‐endemic areas in an HBV‐endemic country, geographic variations among 502 villages in southern Taiwan, 22, 92

10.1016/S0929-6646(09)60231-X

Sun CA, 1999, Transmission of hepatitis C virus in Taiwan, prevalence and risk factors based on a nationwide survey, 59, 290

10.4269/ajtmh.2002.66.389

Lee PL, 2004, A higher than expected recovery rate from hepatitis C infection amongst adolescents, a community study in a hepatitis C-endemic township in Taiwan, 98, 367

Dai CY, 2007, The role of gender on clearance of hepatitis C virus, a different story in an area endemic for hepatitis B and C, 56, 737

Sun CA, 2001, Persistent hyperendemicity of hepatitis C virus infection in Taiwan, the important role of iatrogenic risk factors, 65, 30

Huang JF, 2001, Hepatitis C virus infection among teenagers in an endemic township in Taiwan, epidemiological and clinical follow-up studies, 127, 485

10.1097/00006454-199802000-00012

10.1159/000087269

Chen DS, 1990, Hepatitis C virus infection in an area hyperendemic for hepatitis B and chronic liver disease, the Taiwan experience, 162, 817

Lee CM, 2006, Hepatitis C virus genotypes in southern Taiwan, prevalence and clinical implications, 100, 767

Yu ML, 2001, Changing prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotypes, molecular epidemiology and clinical implications in the hepatitis C virus hyperendemic areas and a tertiary referral center in Taiwan, 65, 58

Liou YW, 2000, Genotypic analysis of HCV infection in kinmen, J Microbiol Immunol Infect, 33, 149

10.1097/00004836-199510000-00014

Sunanchaikarn S, 2007, Seroepidemiology and genotypes of hepatitis C virus in Thailand, Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 25, 175

Chunlertrith K, 2000, Clinico‐epidemiology of hepatitis C viral infection in northeastern Thailand, Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 31, 273

10.1111/j.1537-2995.2004.04073.x

Ratanasuwan W, 2004, Serological survey of viral hepatitis A, B, and C at Thai Central Region and Bangkok, a population base study, 35, 416

10.1016/S1386-6532(01)00222-0

10.1089/088282402320914566

10.4269/ajtmh.2006.74.1111

Hansurabhanon T, 2002, Infection with hepatitis C virus among intravenous‐drug users, prevalence, genotypes and risk-factor-associated behaviour patterns in Thailand, 96, 615

Apichartpiyakul C, 1999, Seroprevalence and subtype distribution of hepatitis C virus among blood donors and intravenous drug users in northern/northeastern Thailand, Jpn J Infect Dis, 52, 121, 10.7883/yoken.52.121

Luksamijarulkul P, 1996, High hepatitis C seroprevalence in Thai intravenous drug abusers and qualitative risk analysis, Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 27, 654

Luksamijarulkul P, 2004, Hepatitis C virus infection among Thai blood donors, antibody prevalence, risk factors and development of risk screening form, 35, 147

10.1046/j.1537-2995.2003.00395.x

10.1080/10245330500226696

Theamboonlers A, 2002, Molecular characterization of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core region in HCV‐infected Thai blood donors, Acta Virol, 46, 169

Kanistanon D, 1997, Genotypic distribution of hepatitis C virus in different regions of Thailand, J Clin Microbiol, 35, 1772, 10.1128/jcm.35.7.1772-1776.1997

Doi H, 1996, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) subtype prevalence in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and identification of novel subtypes of HCV major type 6, J Clin Microbiol, 34, 569, 10.1128/jcm.34.3.569-574.1996

10.1111/j.1440-1746.1994.tb01265.x

10.1002/(SICI)1096-9071(199804)54:4<243::AID-JMV2>3.0.CO;2-4

Song P, 1994, Markers of hepatitis C and B virus infections among blood donors in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Vietnam, Clin Diagn Lab Immunol, 1, 413, 10.1128/cdli.1.4.413-418.1994

10.1086/422606

10.1007/s12072-007-9008-3

10.1016/S1386-6346(03)00166-9

10.1073/pnas.91.23.11022

Pham DA, 2009, High prevalence of Hepatitis C virus genotype 6 in Vietnam, Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 27, 153

Jokhio AH, 2010, Knowledge, attitudes and practices of barbers about hepatitis B and C transmission in Hyderabad, Pakistan, East Mediterr Health J, 16, 1079, 10.26719/2010.16.10.1079

10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181b31f5c

10.1136/sti.2010.042903

Qazi HA, 2010, Prevalence and factors associated with HCV (hepatitis C virus) seropositivity in Islamabad, Pakistan, Acta Med Iran, 48, 394