Resumen
Objectives: During the last decade, outbreaks of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been
reported amongst men who have sex with men (MSM) across Europe. Our aim is to describe the
HCV incidence from 2007 to 2013, and to analyse risk exposures amongst HCV cases in 18-59 old
men in Barcelona. Methods: We calculated the incidence of new HCV cases notified to the Public
Health Agency of Barcelona, 2007-2013. Demographic variables, HIV status and risk exposure, that
was classified as sexual and non-sexual (e.g. undergoing surgery, invasive treatments or diagnostic tests, drug use or tattoos) were analysed. Sex orientation and other interesting variables were also
collected. HCV was subtyped using a high-resolution HCV method based on massive sequencing by
using 454/GS-Junior platform. Preliminar phylogenetic analyses were performed studying E2PePhD
highly variable region and NS5B to assess any associations amongst cases. Results: A significant
increase in HCV incidence was observed in men, from 0.65 cases/100,000 in 2007 to 4.03 in 2013,
whereas a decrease for women was observed (Figure 1). During 2007-2011 amongst men aged
18-59, 22/29 (75.9%) referred having a non-sexual exposure, while in 2012-2013 34/39 (87.2%)
HCV cases referred having sexual relations with other men as the only exposure. Of the identified
34 MSM HCV cases, 27 (79.4%) were HIV+. At least, 14 (37.8%) referred anonymous sex, 19 (51.4%)
unprotected sex, 8 (21.6%) fisting and 8 (21.6%) having sex in private parties. 14 blood samples
were analysed and two different clusters were found, for genotypes 1a and 4d. Conclusion: We detected
an increase of HCV in men, the majority without other risk exposures than sexual, and many
were HIV-infected patients that were being followed-up. Different genotype clusters were identified
in this ongoing study, suggesting simultaneous outbreaks. Preventive measures to decrease transmission,
targeted screening and improved surveillance are urgently needed.
Autoría:
MANZANARES LAYA, Sandra;
GARCÍA DE OLALLA RIZO, Patricia;
GARRIGA, C.;
QUER, J.;
GORRINDO, Pilar;
GÓMEZ, S.;
RODRÍGUEZ FRÍAS, F.;
PLASENCIA, V.;
GARCÍA CEHIC, D.;
GREGORI, J.;
SOLA, R.;
BARBERÀ, María Jesús;
ESTEBAN, J. I.;
CAYLÀ BUQUERAS, Joan Artur