AUTHOR=Imbeth-Acosta Pedro , Leal-Martínez Víctor , Ramos-Clason Enrique , Pájaro-Galvis Nehomar , Martínez-Ávila María Cristina , Almanza-Hurtado Amilkar , Rodríguez-Yanez Tomás , Bermudez-Montero Jorge , Vergara-Serpa Oscar , Abuabara-Franco Emilio , Raad-Sarabia María , Villar-González Erika Patricia , Tatis-Geney Steffany Isabel , Collazos-Torres Luis Adolfo , Rico-Fontalvo Jorge , Daza-Arnedo Rodrigo , Pérez-Calvo Christian , Alvarado-Castell Huber , López Acuña Gabriel Hernando 

TITLE=Prevalence of Chronic Infection by Hepatitis C Virus in Asymptomatic Population With Risk Factors in Cartagena, Colombia

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2022.814622

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2022.814622

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=Introduction: Infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important cause of chronic liver disease and only a small percentage of those affected know their infection status due to limited access to diagnostic tests, which is why a characterization of the population for the initiation of timely treatment. Objective: To determine the prevalence of chronic infection by hepatitis C virus in patients with risk factors by using rapid tests in Cartagena, Colombia and describe the epidemiological characteristics. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out in asymptomatic adults with risk factors for HCV infection in the city of Cartagena between December 2017 and November 2019. A rapid immunochromatographic test was performed to detect antibodies, characterizing the population. Results: 1023 patients were identified who met the inclusion criteria, 58.5% women and 41.4% men, obtaining 9 positive results, confirming chronic infection with viral load for HCV, finding 7 cases genotype 1b and 2 genotype 1a. Conclusions: In our study, a prevalence of hepatitis C infection of 0.9% was found in asymptomatic individuals with risk factors, which allows us to deduce that the active search for cases in risk groups constitutes a pillar for the identification of the disease, the initiation of antiviral therapy and decreased morbidity and mortality.