On-the-spot examination for hepatitis C in a mobile laboratory: our experience in Samara Region

Abstract

In May 2016, the 69th World Health Assembly endorsed the global strategy on the elimination of viral hepatitis. Up-to-date epidemiological data on the prevalence of viral hepatitis are needed to develop effective programs aimed to achieve the strategy's targets.

The aim - to determine the proportion of people infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Samara Region.

Material and methods. We examined people in various public places of Samara city and Samara region (parks, squares, and places of public events). Their blood specimens were analyzed in the mobile laboratory using the immunochromatographic test system for qualitative assessment of anti-HCV antibodies in whole blood, serum, or plasma [Abon Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd, China]. All participants were asked to fill in the questionnaire containing questions related to self-reported risk factors for hepatitis C.

Results. Between July 2019 and December 2019, we organized 16 on-the-spot examinations in the mobile laboratory with a total of 759 people tested. The rate of HCV seropositivity varied between 0% and 14% depending on the site of testing with a mean rate of 5.9%. The most common self-reported risk factors (in both HCV-seropositive and HCV-seronegative individuals) were parenteral interventions in healthcare institutions, tattoos or piercing, and manicure. The history recreational drug use (injectable) was the fourth most common risk factor among HCV-seropositive participants (20%), whereas in HCV-seronegative individuals, it was only the ninth (1%).

Conclusion. Mobile laboratory testing appears to be an optimal strategy for the assessment of real HCV infection rates in the population. In our study, 5.9% of participants were found to have anti-HCV antibodies. The estimated number of HCV-positive patients requiring antiviral therapy is significantly higher than that reported in the official statistics. Only fundamental changes in the system of HCV care will enable the achievement of the main targets mentioned in the WHO Global Health Sector Strategy on the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 in the Russian Federation.

Keywords:chronic hepatitis C, mobile Laboratory, antibodies, risk factors, hepatitis C elimination

Funding. Consumables for analysis are provided by the Interregional Public Organization for Viral Hepatitis Patients Assistance «United Against Hepatitis».

Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Contribution. Conception and design of the study, writing the manuscript -Morozov V.G.; data collection and processing - Kalyshenko E.A.; methodological support of the study - Ribkina A.A .; editing the article - Malova E.S.; statistical processing - Tkachenko P.E.

Acknowledgments. То employees of LLC «Hepatolog» Lamzina L.L., Piskunova L.V., Zanina I.A., Pyshko M.Yu., Zenova E.D., Reshetnikova T.F., Vorontsova E.V., Denisov D.D., Pleshov A.V., Lyubimov V.O., to chairman of the Board of the Interregional public organization for viral hepatitis patients assistance «United Against Hepatitis» Kovalenko N.V.

For citation: Morozov V.G., Kalyshenko E.A., Ribkina A.A., Malova E.S., Tkachenko P.E. On-the-spot examination for hepatitis C in a mobile laboratory: our experience in Samara Region. Infektsionnye bolezni: novosti, mneniya, obuchenie [Infectious Diseases: News, Opinions, Training]. 2020; 9 (3): 139-45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33029/2305-3496-2020-9-3-139-145 (in Russian)

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CHIEF EDITOR
Aleksandr V. Gorelov
Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, MD, Head of Infection Diseases and Epidemiology Department of the Scientific and Educational Institute of Clinical Medicine named after N.A. Semashko ofRussian University of Medicine, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Professor of the Department of Childhood Diseases, Clinical Institute of Children's Health named after N.F. Filatov, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Deputy Director for Research, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Rospotrebnadzor (Moscow, Russian Federation)

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