Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Habib, JS.
Prevention, control, and therapy of hepatitis C virus infection in Austria and Egypt
[ Dissertation ] Graz Medical University; 2009. pp. 99
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Kessler Harald
- Reinthaler Franz
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- The prevalence of hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection has been reported to be at maximum 1% among the Austrian population, in contrast to approximately 20% among the Egyptian population. In Austria, the majority of HCV-positives are infected with HCV subtype (ST) 1b, while the HCV genotype (GT) 4 predominates in Egypt. Today, the HCV GT is considered as the most important parameter for the duration of anti-HCV therapy. In this study, the national plans for HCV prevention and control strategies in Austria and Egypt were compared. Data were obtained from health information systems and published studies and health experts were interviewed. Furthermore, the response to the combination standard therapy consisting of peginterferon alfa (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RV) in patients with HCV GT 4 infection was compared to that in patients with HCV ST 1b infection. For the clinical part of the study, a total of 18 patients with HCV GT 4 infection were randomly matched with another 18 patients with HCV ST 1b who were treated during the same time period. Both groups of patients were treated with the PEG-IFN plus RV regimen for 48 weeks. Alaninaminotransferase (ALT) values, hemoglobin levels, and number of neutrophils were compared and side effects were recorded. While Austria has established specific strategies to control HCV transmission and prevent sequelae of HCV infection, measures in Egypt are limited covering big cities only. Shortage of resources, lack of awareness and incapability of the administration and surveillance system were found to be the major problems to implement the infection control program in Egypt. When the response to therapy was compared, it was found that the sustained virological response rate among patients with HCV GT 4 infection was significantly higher than that among patients with HCV ST 1b infection. For the mean ALT values, a continuous reduction was observed throughout the treatment period in both groups. The decrease of hemoglobin levels and neutrophil count was similar in both groups throughout the treatment period. In conclusion, significant differences with regard to HCV prevention and control strategies were found when comparing Austria and Egypt. In this study, PEG-IFN plus RV treatment revealed to be more effective in patients with HCV GT 4 infection than in those with HCV ST 1b infection.