Scientific publications
Donatien Serge Mbaga
Etienne Atenguena Okobalemba
Arnol Bowo‐Ngandji
Martin Gael Oyono
Jeannette Nina Magoudjou‐Pekam
Alfloditte Flore Feudjio
Cromwel Zemnou-Tepap
Juliette Laure Ndzie Ondigui
Sabine Aimée Touangnou-Chamda
Jean Bosco Taya-Fokou
Chris André Mbongue Mikangue
Raoul Kenfack‐Momo
Carole Stéphanie Sake
Sara Honorine Riwom Essama
Sébastien Kenmoe
Seraphine Nkie Esemu
Lucy Ndip
Guy Roussel Takuissu
Other affiliations: Institut de Recherches Médicales et d’Etudes des Plantes Médicinales
Jean Thierry Ebogo‐Belobo
Ginette Irma Kame‐Ngasse
Elie Adamou Velhima
Yrene Kamtchueng Takeu
Marie Amougou‐Atsama
Alex Durand Nka
Rachel Audrey Nayang-Mundo
Other affiliations: Catholic University of Central Africa
Cyprien Kengne-Ndé
Richard Njouom
World Journal of Methodology
BACKGROUND: Occult hepatitis C infection (OCI) is characterized by the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in the liver, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and/or ultracentrifuged serum in the absence of detectable HCV-RNA in serum. OCI has been described in several categories of populations including hemodialysis patients, patients with a sustained virological response, immunocompromised individuals, patients with abnormal hepatic function, and apparently healthy subjects. AIM: To highlight the global prevalence of OCI. METHODS: test statistics were used to assess heterogeneity between studies. Funnel plot and Egger test were used to examine publication bias. R software version 4.1.0 was used for all analyses. RESULTS: = 93.0% (90.8%-94.7%)]. Higher seronegative OCI prevalence was found in Southern Europe and Northern Africa, and in patients with abnormal liver function, hematological disorders, and kidney diseases. Higher seropositive OCI prevalence was found in Southern Europe, Northern America, and Northern Africa. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in the present study, it appears that the burden of OCI is high and variable across the different regions and population categories. Further studies on OCI are needed to assess the transmissibility, clinical significance, long-term outcome, and need for treatment.
