Hepatitis C virus infections among clients attending an HIV testing and counseling center in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and genotypes among 965 individuals attending an HIV testing and counseling unit in Dhaka Bangladesh during Jan-Dec 2011 was determined. Anti-HCV antibody was detected in 4.4% individuals; the highest rate 37.8% was in people who inject drugs (PWID) followed by that in the general population (1.3%) and less than 1% in other populations. HCV RNA was detected in 2.7%. The most common genotype was genotype 3 (88.5%) followed by genotype 1 (11.5%). A national wide surveillance for HCV infection reaching all key populations is required to assess the countywide burden and to develop appropriate treatment strategies.