Hepatitis C virus infection in Brazilian long-distance truck drivers

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global public health problem. Approximately 130-170 million individuals are thought to be infected worldwide [1]. On average, 80% of acutely infected individuals develop a chronic infection. The principal long-term complications of chronic hepatitis C are cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [2]. HCV is characterized by a high degree of genetic heterogeneity. Phylogenetic analysis of full-length or partial sequences of HCV isolates has led to the identification of six genotypes (1 to 6), each comprising multiple subtypes (designated a, b, c, etc) [3]. These genotypes and subtypes have distinct geographical distributions, and information on their distribution is needed to perform effective molecular and epidemiological HCV surveillance [4,5].Long-distance truck drivers live apart from their family for long periods of time, a lifestyle that favors at-risk behaviors such as unprotected sex with multiple partners, including commercial sex workers, and illicit drug use, which have been demonstrated to be predictors of HCV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections [6-9]. In spite of these risk factors, there have been few investigations on HCV infection in this population [9-12]. In a previous study, an overall HBV infection prevalence of 18.9% was found among long-distance truck drivers in Brazil. Length of profession longer than 20 years, time away from home lasting more than 15 days and a history of sexual transmitted infections (STIs) were associated with HBV infection [13]. However, no data are available on HCV infection in this highly mobile population in Brazil and more generally in Latin America. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, genotypes/subtypes, and the factors associated with HCV infection in long-distance truck drivers in Brazil.A cross-sectional study was carried out in a population of long-distance truck drivers in Brazil that had been previously