Volume 2025, Issue 1 9927410
Review Article
Open Access

Hepatitis C in North Africa: A Comprehensive Review of Epidemiology, Genotypic Diversity, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Samia Boukaira

Samia Boukaira

Department of Molecular Biology , Institut Pasteur du Maroc , Casablanca , Morocco , pasteur.ma

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology , Faculté des Sciences , Université Mohammed V de Rabat , Rabat , Morocco , um5.ac.ma

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Salma Madihi

Corresponding Author

Salma Madihi

Department of Molecular Biology , Institut Pasteur du Maroc , Casablanca , Morocco , pasteur.ma

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Hind Bouafi

Hind Bouafi

Department of Human Genomics and Genetics , Institut Pasteur du Maroc , Casablanca , Morocco , pasteur.ma

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Zineb Rchiad

Zineb Rchiad

Department of Biological Sciences , Faculty of Medical Sciences , Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique EMINES , Benguerir , Morocco

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Bouchra Belkadi

Bouchra Belkadi

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology , Faculté des Sciences , Université Mohammed V de Rabat , Rabat , Morocco , um5.ac.ma

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Abdelouaheb Benani

Abdelouaheb Benani

Department of Molecular Biology , Institut Pasteur du Maroc , Casablanca , Morocco , pasteur.ma

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First published: 24 March 2025
Academic Editor: Ahmed Majeed Al-Shammari

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is implicated in carcinogenic infections like hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Given that no HCV vaccine is currently available, comprehensive epidemiological understanding is crucial for devising effective prevention strategies. In North Africa, existing data on HCV infection and HCV-associated HCC are frequently outdated or limited to specific populations. This systematic review aims to offer new insights into the epidemiology of HCV infection, HCV genotype distribution, and HCV-related HCC in this region. We collected data from electronic databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and public health reports between 1989 and 2023. We reported the studies carried out in each country in general populations and in groups exposed to HCV infection. Our results show that HCV prevalence varies from 0.5% to 4.61% among the general populations in North African countries. HCV genotype 1 remains the most dominant in the Greater Maghreb region, while genotype 4 is the most dominant in the Nile Valley region. HCC incidence varies between the five countries, and HCV is responsible for 60% of cases, with male dominance. Egypt had the highest number of deaths from HCV-associated HCC. Other factors such as HBV, diabetes, and alcohol use are also responsible for HCC in North Africa. Urban growth and socioeconomic changes have impacted HCV prevalence in the North African region, especially among rural populations, and introduced new risks, such as coinfections and Type 2 diabetes. Here, we propose some recommendations for HCV control and management by patient category in North Africa.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The epidemiological data supporting this systematic review are from previously reported studies and datasets, which have been cited. The processed data are available from the corresponding author upon request.

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