Keating, Shay and Coughlan, Suzie and Connell, J. and Sweeney, Brion and Keenan, Eamon (2005) Hepatitis C viral clearance in an intravenous drug-using cohort in the Dublin area. Irish Journal of Medical Science, 174, (1), pp. 37-41. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03168517.
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The rate of spontaneous HCV viral clearance is reported as 20—25% but recent data indicate a higher frequency in some cohorts. The rate of spontaneous clearance in intravenous drug users has not been reported in an Irish setting. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of spontaneous hepatitis C viral clearance and genotype in an Irish intravenous drug-using cohort. Drug users attending five drug treatment clinics in the Dublin area were investigated. Data were prospectively recorded from January 1997 to June 2001 and follow-up testing completed in 2003. There were 496 HCV antibody-positive patients identified and assessed for HCV RNA clearance. All were HIV and hepatitis B negative, 68.8% were male.
HCV RNA negativity (viral clearance) was documented in 38% of patients. Viral clearance was 47.4% in females and 34.5% in males (p = 000.6). Clearance was independent of age or duration of intravenous drug use. Viral clearance, defined as two negative consecutive HCV RNA tests, a minimum of one year apart, was sustained in 82.2% at two-year follow-up, giving an overall viral clearance of 31.1%. HCV genotype 1 and 3 were most commonly identified at 48.8% and 48.5% respectively in those with chronic infection. The study concluded that spontaneous HCV viral clearance occurs at a higher frequency than previously reported. Genotype 1 and 3 are commonest in the patient cohort.
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