Distribution of hepatitis C virus infection in the male Turkish population

摘要

Approximately 170 million people worldwide are thought to be infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV).1,2 Studies from Turkey, with a population of 75 million people, have shown that 0.3–1.8% of the population is infected with this pathogen.1–4 HCV is known to be one of the leading contributors to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver failure throughout the world.5 Parenteral transmission is the primary route of infection,6 and since 1996 the screening of blood products has been undertaken to prevent transfusion-related transmission in Turkey.