Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Bonnie A. Ewald, Alysse G. Wurcel, Sonali Paul, Kathleen Viveiros BACKGROUND: Subsaharan Africa (SSA) has one of the highest global rates of HCV infection, accounting for nearly 20% of all global cases. However, little is known about the population level epidemiology, including the predominant risk factors for transmission. Such information is necessary to help guide screening and management guidelines, especially with the increasing availability of effective anti-virals. METHODS: We conducted

a case-control study of prior blood donors at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana to identify risk factors and potential transmission mechanisms of HCV. KATH is a tertiary referral selleck chemical hospital, receiving patients from across Ghana. A series of 180 consecutive cases that tested positive with the HCV rapid screen assay (RSA) were matched to 183 negative donors. New blood samples were taken to confirm HCV infection, assess for co-infections and an extensive survey administered to identify risk factors for infection. HCV testing including HCV Antibody confirmation, HCV quantitative viral load testing, as well as HBV and HIV serologic assessment. RESULTS: 87 individuals were identified as true infections after repeat serologic evaluation. There was no difference CHIR-99021 in vivo in age and gender between infected

and non-infected individuals. HCV infected individuals were more often born at home, have tribal scarring, and circumcision 上海皓元 outside of a clinic or hospital setting. There was also a significant association with HBV co-infection, but not HIV infection. Of importance, the most highly significant association was with region of tribal origin; individuals from the upper and northern regions of Ghana were 18.9 (8.4-42.6;p<0.001) and 6.6 (2.4-18.2;p<0.001) more likely to be infected with HCV, compared to individuals from other regions

in Ghana. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that several transmission modes, particularly those associated with cultural skin-piercing practices, are likely to be contributing to the current HCV epidemic in Ghana, West Africa, and the distribution of these cultural practices may have led to substantial regional variation in HCV prevalence. Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Jennifer E. Layden, Richard O. Phillips, Fred S. Sarfo, Dorcas O. Owusu, Nallely Mora, Joseph Forbi, Stephanie Kliethermes, Shirley P. Owusu-Ofori, Ohene Opare-Sem, Kenrad Nelson, Richard Cooper Background HIV/HCV co-infection is very common in the South China mainly caused by intravenous drug using, and poor sustained virological response (SVR) had also been found in HIV/HCV co-infection with the therapy of Interferon plus Rib-avirin in South China.