Schistosomiasis as a possible risk factor for acquiring hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection among Saudis

ABSTRACT

Risk factors for acquiring hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection have been elucidated in many developed countries but the picture is still not clear in many Middle Eastern Countries including Saudi Arabia. Aim-To investigate possible risk factors for acquiring HCV among Saudis. Methods-Various demographic and medical risk factors that might be associated with the spread of HCV among Saudis were investigated. The population studied included 20 anti-HCV-positive with chronic liver disease [CLD], 30 anti-HCV-positive patients without CLD and 272 anti-FICV-negative Saudi blood donors. All people investigated were of the same age group [>40 years of age]. Results-None of the demographic parameters studied [type of job, type of housing, education] was found to be significantly associated with acquiring HCV infection among our Saudi patients, On the other hand up to 40% of the anti-Hey-positive patients and irrespective of the condition of liver disease had a history of surgery, and 25% of them had a history of multiple injections. Furthermore, at least 20% of our anti-HCV-positive patients had a history of schistosomiasis which is significantly higher than schistosomiasis among the blood donors [Pc0.005]. Conclusion-In addition to blood and blood products, schistosomiasis seems to be a possible risk factor for acquiring HCV among the Saudi population. The association between schistosomiasis and enhancement of HCV infection need to be further elucidated