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. 2008 Feb 28;14(8):1237-43.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.1237.

Hepatitis C virus genotypes distribution and transmission risk factors in Luxembourg from 1991 to 2006

Francois Roman  1 , Karin Hawotte, Daniel Struck, Anne-Marie Ternes, Jean-Yves Servais, Vic Arendt, Patrick Hoffman, Robert Hemmer, Therese Staub, Carole Seguin-Devaux, Jean-Claude Schmit
Affiliations

Hepatitis C virus genotypes distribution and transmission risk factors in Luxembourg from 1991 to 2006

Francois Roman et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype distribution and transmission risk factors in a population of unselected patients in Luxembourg.

Methods: Epidemiological information (gender, age and transmission risks) were collected from 802 patients newly diagnosed for hepatitis C and living in Luxembourg, among whom 228 patients referred from prison. Genotyping using 5'noncoding (5'NC) sequencing was performed. We compared categorical data using the Fisher's exact F-test and odds ratios (OR) were calculated for evaluating association of HCV genotype and risk factors.

Results: The sex ratio was predominantly male (2.2) and individuals aged less than 40 years represented 49.6% of the population. Genotype 1 was predominant (53.4%) followed by genotype 3 (33%). Among risk factors, intravenous drug usage (IVDU) was the most frequently reported (71.4%) followed by medical-related transmission (17.6%) including haemophilia, transfusion recipients and other nosocomial reasons. Genotype 3 was significantly associated to IVDU (OR = 4.84, P < 0.0001) whereas genotype 1 was significantly associated with a medical procedure (OR = 2.42, P < 0.001). The HCV genotype distribution from inmate patients differed significantly from the rest of the population (Chi-square test with four degrees of freedom, P < 0.0001) with a higher frequency of genotype 3 (46.5% vs 27.5%) and a lower frequency of genotype 1 and 4 (44.7% vs 56.8% and 5.3% vs 9.6%, respectively). IVDU was nearly exclusively reported as a risk factor in prison.

Conclusion: We report the first description of the HCV genotype distribution in Luxembourg. The repartition is similar to other European countries, with one of the highest European prevalence rates of genotype 3 (33%). Since serology screening became available in 1991, IVDU remains the most common way of HCV transmission in Luxembourg.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
HCV genotype incidence from 1999 to 2006. The genotypes are indicated in the bars by different shades of grey, representing from bottom to top, genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Number of cases and percentages are mentioned for genotype 1 and 3. No significant changes in genotype distribution over time have been observed during this 7 years period.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of HCV genotypes. A: Distribution of HCV genotypes in patients according to gender. Genotype 3 is more frequent in male (P < 0.0001), genotype 2 and genotype 5 are more frequent in female (P = 0.047 and P = 0.0027 respectively); B: Distribution of HCV genotypes in patients according to age. Genotype 3 is associated to patients < 40 yr (P < 0.0001). Genotype 2 is associated to patients > 40 yr (P = 0.0064).
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