Epidemiology, Mode of Transmission and Risk Factors of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Infections in Thi-Qar Province / Iraq

Background: Hepatitis C infection is now the most common cause of end-stage liver disease in many countries. World Health Organization (WHO) estimations suggest that up to 3% of the world’s population (170 million) have been infected with HCV. Patients and Methods: The present study was carried out between September 2010 and July 2011 on patients referred to the Center of Thalassemia/AL-Haboby Hospital, Central blood bank, Renal Dialysis Unit/Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital and Public Health Laboratory in Thi-Qar province to detect the seroprevalence, mode of transmission and risk factors of HCV infection among the asymptomatic people. ELISA-III assay was implemented on 12330 individuals : (11608) blood donors, (394) thalassemic patients, (265) polycythemic patients, (32) renal failure patients and (31) medical staff. Results: Positive results of HCV by ELISA III technique was found in 184(1.49%), the infections were distributed as following: 107(58.15%) blood donors ; 63(34.24%) thalassemic patients ; 9(4.89%) ploycythemic patients ; 3(1.63%) medical staff and 2(1.09%) renal dialysis patients. The statistical analysis was show that the HCV infections were higher in males than females, in patients of blood group O and in urban than rural parts of the province. The highest infection rates at age groups (31-40 ; 41-50 years). Conclusions: Immigration from endemic areas, especially from Egypt was responsible for HCV spread to Iraq. Blood transfusion, renal dialysis and medical staff were a major roots of HCV infections in Thi-Qar. Thalassemic patients were stilled at a risk of acquiring HCV through administration of HCV infected blood collected during seronegative window period also for polycythemic group. Recommendations: Further studies should be performed to determine the prevalence of HCV in all Iraqi cities and to estimate the relation between the HCV and blood group.