Z Gastroenterol 2008; 46 - A33
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1079637

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among prisoners in Hungary. first data of the first Hungarian survey

G Horváth 1, K Werling 2, B Gasztonyi 3, I Nagy 4
  • 11st Dept. Med. Szt. János Hosp. Budapest
  • 22nd Dept. Med. Semmelweis University Budapest
  • 3Dept. Med. County Hosp. Zalaegerszeg
  • 41st Dept. Med. University of Szeged

Introduction: Nowadays, since the introduction of the screening of the blood donors, the highest risk groups for HCV infection has become the intravenous drug users (IVDU) and prisoners. About 100 times higher ratio of HCV infection was reported among captives in the EU. The anti-HCV positivity is 60% of the prisoners, and 90% of the prisoners with IVDU in the countries recently jointed in the EU, respectively. Almost all of the risk factors of the HCV infection – IVDU, tattoo, piercing, homosexuality, promiscuity, alcoholism, infected persons in the surroundings – are present in captives in Hungary, as well as in other countries.

Patients and methods: In 2007. the average number of the prisoners was 16.000, in Hungary. There were 5.630 (35% of the total) inmates in the 7 institutes, where the surveys were made. Informative lectures about the HCV, and related diseases were followed by the screening. The participation was voluntary. The blood samples were tested for anti-HCV; the positive cases for HCV RNA by PCR. 1.989 (35%) of the 5.630 captives of the 7 jailhouses were tested, i.e. 12% of all prisoners in Hungary (1.989/16,000).

Results: Anti-HCV positivity was observed in 100 cases (5%), and 60 of them (3% of the total) were HCV RNA positive.

Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV infection was much lower, than that it was expected by the data of other countries of the EU. One possible reason, that the situation in this respect is really better in Hungary. However, it may be presumed that the tested population is not entirely representative; perhaps the known HCV positive prisoners, or those, who thought himself to be positive due to the presence of risk factors, did not participate in this program, because they were afraid from its consequences, i.e. the excommunication or other bias.

The survey and the antiviral treatment of the captives with chronic C hepatitis are ongoing. Further results will be published in the near future.