RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hepatitis C virus infection among tuberculosis patients in Sohag Governorate: Seroprevalence and associated risk factors
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 4896
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Mohamed Badawy
A1 Mona Taha
A1 Laia Mohamed
A1 Ahmed Fathy
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/4896.abstract
AB Setting: Tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have emerged as major public health problems in Egypt.Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for the HCV infection among patients with TB in Sohag.Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Sohag university hospital. Hundred thirty five tuberculosis patients were fulfilled the inclusion criteria. age more than 15 years old, patients with all form of tuberculosis either pulmonary or extra pulmonary. Anti-HCV antibodies were done for all patients. A case-control study was performed to identify risk factors for HCV infection. Cases were defined as patients with TB who were HCV-seropositive, and controls were defined as patients with TB who were HCV-seronegative.Results: HCV infection was diagnosed in 21/135 (6.4%). Goza smokers (P value 0.01 Odd's Ratio 3.75, 95% confidence interval 0.24 - 0.44), history of operation (P value 0.001 ORs 7.67, 95% CI 0.165 – 0.263), blood transfusion (P value 0.004 ORs 7.2, 95% CI 0.103 – 0.362), presence of tattoos (P value 0.03 ORs 3.4, 95% CI 0.168 – 0.338), extra pulmonary tuberculosis (P value 0.004 ORs 3.5, 95% CI 2.341- 3.384), low serum albumin (P value 0.002 ORs 0.5, 95% CI 0.068 – 0.317) were the main risk factors associated with HCV infection.Conclusion: Universal screening for HCV infection in TB patients is highly recommended. There is an urgent need to detect HCV infection in high-risk groups to prevent future HCV transmission as well as morbidity and mortality associated with TB.