The Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus in the Fertile Crescent: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

摘要: To characterize hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology in countries of the Fertile Crescent region Middle East and North Africa (MENA), namely Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria.We systematically reviewed synthesized available records HCV incidence prevalence following PRISMA guidelines. Meta-analyses were implemented using a DerSimonian-Laird random effects model with inverse weighting to estimate country-specific among various at risk population groups.We identified eight 240 measures Crescent. sero-conversion hemodialysis patients was 9.2% Jordan 40.3% ranged between 0% 3.5% other populations Iraq over different follow-up times. Our meta-analyses estimated general 0.2% (range: 0-7.2%; 95% CI: 0.1-0.3%), 0.3% 0-2.0%; 0.1-0.5%), Lebanon 0-3.4%; Palestine 0-9.0%; 0.2-0.3%), 0.4% Syria 0.3-0.9%; 0.4-0.5%). Among high risk, 19.5% 0-67.3%; 14.9-24.5%), 37.0% 21-59.5%; 29.3-45.0%), 14.5% 0-52.8%; 5.6-26.5%), 47.4% 21.0-75.0%; 32.5-62.5%). Genotypes 4 1 appear be dominant circulating strains.HCV large appears below 1%, lower than that MENA sub-regions, tending towards end global range. However, there is evidence for ongoing transmission within medical facilities people who inject drugs (PWID). Migration dynamics have played role determining genotypes. prevention efforts should targeted, focus on infection control clinical settings harm reduction PWID.