Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence and dependency on country of origin of refugees in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany in 2015

• Published in: Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz Vol. 61; no. 11; pp. 1472 - 1480
• Main Authors: Mattlinger, Christina, Thumfart, Jörg Oliver, Heinen, Wilma, Michels, Harald, Berres, Manfred, Vogt, Manfred, Jansky, Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01-11-2018
• Subjects: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Europe; Germany - epidemiology; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Prevalence; Refugees; Retrospective Studies; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Europe; Germany; Screening; HCV; Liver diseases; Migrants; Epidemiology
• ISSN: 1437-1588
• DOI: 10.1007/s00103-018-2816-x

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.
Documentation and evaluation of hepatitis C seroprevalence and its correlation with the country of origin of refugees in Rhineland-Palatinate/Germany in 2015.
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.
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.
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.