Notfall und Rettungsmedizin
Volume 20, Issue 1, 2017

Low seroprevalence of hepatitis C antibodies in refugees and asylum seekers in Germany in 2015 [Niedrige Seroprävalenz von Hepatitis C bei Flüchtlingen in Deutschland im Jahr 2015] (Article)

Jablonka A.* , Solbach P. , Ringe B. , Schleenvoigt B.T. , Dopfer C. , Hampel A. , Schmidt R.E. , Behrens G.M.N.
  • a Klinik für Immunologie und Rheumatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover, Germany, Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
  • b Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie, Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany, Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
  • c Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Transplantationschirurgie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
  • d Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin und Krankenhaushygiene, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany
  • e Klinik für Pädiatrische Pneumologie, Allergologie und Neonatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany
  • f Klinik für Anästhesie, Notfallmedizin, Operative Intensivmedizin und Schmerztherapie, Klinikum Wolfsburg, Wolfsburg, Germany
  • g Klinik für Immunologie und Rheumatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover, Germany, Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
  • h Klinik für Immunologie und Rheumatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover, Germany, Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany

Abstract

Background: Only estimations are available with respect to the seroprevalence of hepatitis C in refugees arriving in Germany during the current refugee exodus. It is unknown if refugees have a higher prevalence than the German population and if routine testing is necessary. Objectives: The prevalence of viral hepatitis C infection in refugees arriving in northern Germany in 2015 was assessed. Materials and methods: In a cross-sectional study, 236 patients (3–74 years old) were analyzed for hepatitis C virus infection (anti-HCV) in August 2015 in reception centers in northern Germany. Results: In all, 76.7 % of refugees were male, the mean age was 28.7 ± 11.8 years, and 10.0 % were children and adolescents under 18 years of age. Anti-HCV was detected in one male refugee (1/236; 0.42 %). This refugee was hepatitis B co-infected. Liver enzymes were not elevated. Conclusions: This study showed a low prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in a refugee cohort in northern Germany. This prevalence is similar to the general German population. Systematic screening of all refugees for hepatitis C does not seem necessary. Known risk factors and clinical manifestations should be considered when testing. Larger studies are necessary to more accurately determine prevalence and identify specific risk groups in this population. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Author Keywords

infections Viral hepatitis Refugees Asylum seeker Hepatitis C

Index Keywords

Germany refugee human Aged cross-sectional study antibody detection Adolescent male female high risk population Article major clinical study cohort analysis hepatitis C antibody seroprevalence hepatitis B mixed infection hepatitis C Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84978058304&doi=10.1007%2fs10049-016-0198-x&partnerID=40&md5=5381dc2a5e052fe498894db3f3b307d8
DOI: 10.1007/s10049-016-0198-x
ISSN: 14346222
Cited by: 3
Original Language: German