P-91 PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION DETECTED BY RAPID TEST IN A HIGH-RISK POPULATION

Introduction

Hepatitis C virus testing is recommended in selected populations based on demography, prior exposures, high-risk behaviors, and medical conditions. In Perú, screening usually is based on anti-HCV detection using enzyme immunoassays (EIA), but rapid diagnostic tests are an attractive alternative to facilitate screening.

Aim

To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection diagnosed by a rapid antibody detection test in a high-risk population.

Methods

A Cross-sectional descriptive study. Patients attending the G-I unit of the Daniel A. Carrión National Hospital - Callao- Peru who had risk factors for HCV infection in the period September-November 2018 were included, after informed consent, a HCV Hepa-Scan antibody detection rapid test (Bhat Bio-tech India) was performed.

Results

Ninety two patients were included, 56.5% were men and 43.5% women, age average was 52.02 +/- 17.53 years old. The risk factors identified in this population were: past history of major surgery: 35 (38%), Tattoos 28 (30.4%), transfusion 17 (18.5%), drug use 8 (8.7%), healthcare worker 5 (5.4%), inmates 4 (4.3%), HIV infection 2 (2.2%), hemodialysis 1 (1.1%), high risk sexual behavior 1 (1.1%). Twenty nine patients (31.5%) had hypertransaminasemia. One case of Hepatitis C infection (1.1%) was detected, confirmed with serological test and RNA HCV viral load; the risk factor was past history of major surgery.

Conclusion

The prevalence of HCV infection detected by rapid antibody test in a population with risk factors was 1.1%.