engleski

Demographic, laboratory and clinical characteristics of newly diagnosed HCV patients during COVID-19 pandemic

The aim of this study was to analyze the demographic, laboratory and clinical characteristics of newly diagnosed HCV patients during COVID-19 pandemic at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases (UHID). From January 2020 to June 2021 there were 75 patients newly diagnosed with HCV at UHID. The stage of fibrosis (F1-F4) was determined by elastography (FibroScan) before antiviral treatment. HCV RNA was quantified by real-time PCR (Abbott RealTime HCV). HCV genotypes and subtypes were determined by PCR and reverse hybridization (INNO-LiPA HCV Genotyping) method. The results were analysed by descriptive statistical methods. A total of 75 HCV positive adults were analysed (64% males, 36% females, median age 47 years, range 21-88 years) (Figure 1). Genotype 1 was detected in 1 patient(1.3%), subtype 1a in 17 patients (22.7%), 1b in 21 patients (28%), subtype 2b in 1 patient(1.3%), subtype 3a in 29 patients (38.7%) and genotype 4 in 1 (1.3%) patient, while 5 patients were undetermined (6.7%) (Figure 2). Prior to treatment initiation, F1 fibrosis stage was determined in 32% of patients, F2 in 20% of patients, F3 in 8% of patients, while 28% of patients had F4 stage (median 8.05, IQR 3.3-60.4 kPa). Median viremia was 1 965 992 IU/ml (range 1 012-11, 937, 251 IU RNA HCV/mL). The majority of newly diagnosed HCV patients during COVID-19 pandemic were middle aged and male. Genotype 1 was the most prevalent followed by subtype 3a. Interestingly, subtype 1b was more common than 1a. Prior to treatment initiation, the most common fibrosis stages were F1 and F4.

hepatitis C virus ; COVID-19 ; fibrosis ; genotype ; subtype

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