Recent, Five-Year HCV Sero-prevalence Trend Among Deceased Organ Donors in California Marek Nowicki 1, Dem Brucal 1, Claudia Chinchila 1, Steven Takemoto 1, Wayne Babcock 2, Helen Nelson 4, Tom Mone 3, Robert Mendez 1 1 National Institute of Transplantation, 2 California Transplant Donor Network, 3 OneLegacy, 4 Golden State Donor Service

Estimated Incidence of Acute HCV Infection, United States, Decline in transfusion recipients Decline in injection drug users Source: Hepatology 2000;31:777-82; Hepatology 1997;26:62S-65S; CDC, unpublished data

Prevalence of HCV Infection by Age and Gender, United States Males Females Total

The impact of HCV (US) HCV+ (Millions) Cirrhosis (thousands) Decomp C (thousands) HCC (thousands) Deaths (thousands) (Davis, LT 2003)

Background After successful introduction of screening for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in early 90’s, and more recently, also for HCV RNA, several authors reported a dramatic decrease of new acute HCV infections in the US (Hepatology 2000;31:777-82; Hepatology 1997;26:62S-65S; CDC) Others published predictions of HCV epidemic trajectories, showing steady decline of the number of infected individuals in the next 30 years (Davis, LT, 2003) Since ‘02 our laboratory has been evaluating HCV serostatus of approx 850 cadaveric organ donors/year. Recently (’05) our testing algorithm was supplemented by the sensitive TMA-based NAT assay detecting HCV RNA.

First results

Aim To evaluate longitudinal trends in HCV prevalence among cadaveric organ donors from southern and northern California.

Specific Questions Is there a significant change or decrease in HCV sero-prevalence among transplant donors? What factors are associated with HCV positivity?

Material and Methods We tested 4,032 consecutive donors from 3 CA OPOs (2 from N. Cal and 1 from S. Cal) Testing period: –EIA (Ortho), confirmed with RIBA (Chiron) –After 2005 HCV RNA NAT (Procleix, Chiron) Statistical Methods –Chi-square and logistic regression

%HCV+ Donors in 3 CA OPOs Increase in OPO1, trend not significant in OPO 2 & 3 Year P=0.01 P=NS

%HCV+ Donors by Donor Age >80% HCV donors were between age P<0.001 for both OPOs

%HCV+ Donors with other Serology P<0.001P=0.001 N=21N=218N=467N=1169N=3319 P=0.048P=0.012 P<0.001

Factors Associated with HCV FactorReferenceOdds Ratio, 95% CIP , , Age , HBcAb+HBcAb-9.06, <0.001 Prevalence of HCV+ increased HCV is almost twice as likely in age group 9 times more likely when HBcAb positive

Conclusions Our data suggest a significant variability from year-to-year of HCV seroprevalance. There seems to be significant differences of HCV rates among OPOs in California. Contrary to US-wide trends in HCV’s sero-incident rates, we observed no decrease of HCV sero-prevalence among cadaveric donors in California over past 5 years. Our results suggest that due to still high numbers of HCV+ cadaveric donors HCV NAT screening is highly desirable to prevent the HCV “window” donations and possible transmissions.

“Take home Message” HCV+ rates differ among CA OPOs Rates were highest for age Rates overall increased in –Change in targeted donor population? –More stringent testing (NAT)? –Increased use of non-optimal donors? Further studies are needed to examine factors associated with outcomes for HCV+ donors

Acknowledgments This presentation will not be possible without: California Transplant Donor Network Donors and their families Golden State Donor Service National Institute of Transplantation OneLegacy

Prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus among populations of US military Personnel ( Hyamas et al, A. J. f Epidemiology, 2001)