Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz
Volume 61, Issue 11, 2018, Pages 1472-1480

Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence and dependency on country of origin of refugees in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany in 2015 [Hepatitis-C-Virus Seroprävalenz und Abhängigkeit vom Herkunftsland bei Flüchtlingen in Rheinland-Pfalz/Deutschland im Jahr 2015] (Article)

Mattlinger C.* , Thumfart J.O. , Heinen W. , Michels H. , Berres M. , Vogt M. , Jansky M.
  • a Zentrum für Allgemeinmedizin und Geriatrie, Abteilung Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Am Pulverturm 13, Mainz, 55131, Germany
  • b labormedizinisches zentrum Dr Risch Ostschweiz AG, Buchs, Switzerland
  • c Gesundheitsamt der Kreisverwaltung Trier-Saarburg, Trier, Germany
  • d Gesundheitsamt der Kreisverwaltung Trier-Saarburg, Trier, Germany
  • e RheinAhrCampus Remagen, Hochschule Koblenz, Remagen, Germany, Institut für Medizinische Biometrie, Epidemiologie und Informatik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Mainz, Germany
  • f Abteilung Humanmedizin, Landesuntersuchungsamt Rheinland-Pfalz, Koblenz, Germany
  • g Zentrum für Allgemeinmedizin und Geriatrie, Abteilung Allgemeinmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Am Pulverturm 13, Mainz, 55131, Germany

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C, a liver disease transmitted by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), can result in liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). According to WHO estimates for 2015, approximately 71 million people worldwide are chronically infected with HCV, representing 1% of the world population. Worldwide migration movements lead to immigration from HCV high- to low-prevalence countries. There are, however, no published data available on HCV seroprevalence and its correlation with the country of origin in current unselected larger refugee populations (>1000 people) having entered Europe/Germany. Objectives: Documentation and evaluation of hepatitis C seroprevalence and its correlation with the country of origin of refugees in Rhineland-Palatinate/Germany in 2015. Methods: As part of routine diagnostics during the initial medical examination, 12,880 refugees in Rhineland-Palatinate were screened for HCV antibodies in 2015. The data have been analyzed retrospectively and anonymously. Results: The collective comprising 12,880 refugees showed a HCV seroprevalence of 1.5%. This is higher than the HCV prevalence of the general German population (0.5%). In particular, a correlation between HCV seroprevalence and the country of origin could be demonstrated. Conclusions: To reach the 2030 HCV-elimination target of the WHO, national and international recommendations to screen refugees/migrants from HCV high-prevalence countries for HCV should be emphasized. The chronically infected should be treated in accordance with HCV-guidelines. National, easily accessible information on HCV high-prevalence countries is required by attending physicians. © 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Deutschland, ein Teil von Springer Nature.

Author Keywords

Screening Liver diseases HCV Migrants Epidemiology

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85053830226&doi=10.1007%2fs00103-018-2816-x&partnerID=40&md5=a696c83ff83ec950f09ce4ea114bf50e
DOI: 10.1007/s00103-018-2816-x
ISSN: 14369990
Original Language: German