Consistent high prevalence of undiagnosed blood-borne virus infection in patients attending large urban emergency departments in England

Mark J Hopkins; Stacy Todd; Mike Beadsworth; Charlotte Anderson; Zameer Mohamed; David Muir; Roberto Vivancos; Ashley S Brown; Murad Ruf; Anu Chawla

doi:10.1111/jvh.13197

Consistent high prevalence of undiagnosed blood-borne virus infection in patients attending large urban emergency departments in England

J Viral Hepat. 2020 Jan;27(1):88-91. doi: 10.1111/jvh.13197. Epub 2019 Oct 1.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Infection and Immunity, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
² Tropical and Infectious Disease Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
³ Field Service, National Infection Service, Public Health England, UK.
⁴ Department of Hepatology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK.
⁵ Department of Infection and Immunity, Northwest London Pathology, London, UK.
⁶ Medical Department, Gilead Sciences, London, UK.

Abstract

Understanding local viral hepatitis and HIV epidemiology is essential if WHO elimination targets are to be achieved. We demonstrate a consistently high prevalence of undiagnosed active infection in urban emergency department attendees in England, with variations in local risk groups crucial to informing targeted testing initiatives.

Keywords: emergency department; hepatitis B virus; hepatitis C virus; high prevalence; screening.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Blood-Borne Infections / diagnosis
Blood-Borne Infections / epidemiology*
Blood-Borne Infections / virology
Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
England / epidemiology
Female
Hospitals, Urban / statistics & numerical data*
Humans
Male
Mass Screening
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Undiagnosed Diseases / epidemiology*
Undiagnosed Diseases / virology
Virus Diseases / diagnosis
Virus Diseases / epidemiology*