Clinical Scorecard: Co-Infection Rates of Hepatitis C in Pregnant Women Diagnosed with Syphilis in West Virginia, 2019–2023
At a Glance
Category
Detail
Condition
Syphilis and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) co-infection during pregnancy
Key Mechanisms
Vertical transmission of syphilis and HCV from mother to infant; overlapping risk factors including substance use and incarceration
Target Population
Pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis in West Virginia
Care Setting
Public health surveillance and clinical care settings managing maternal infections
Key Highlights
42.9% of pregnant women with syphilis had past or present HCV infection.
Women with HCV co-infection reported higher rates of incarceration (21.7%) and drug use (50.7%) in the past year compared to those without HCV.
Lower adherence to syphilis treatment (56.5% vs 84.8%) and higher congenital syphilis outcomes (59.4% vs 28.3%) were observed among women with HCV co-infection.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Universal screening for syphilis during each pregnancy.
Universal screening for HCV during pregnancy, recommended since 2020.
Management
Syphilis is curable with antibiotics; treatment should be completed at least 30 days before delivery.
HCV is curable with direct-acting antivirals, though these are not currently recommended during pregnancy.
Integrated care approaches are needed to address co-infections and social vulnerabilities.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Follow-up to verify syphilis treatment completion through public health surveillance.
Monitoring for congenital syphilis outcomes in infants born to infected mothers.
Risks
Substance use and incarceration increase risk of infection and hinder access to care.
Co-infection increases risk of adverse maternal and infant outcomes, including congenital syphilis.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Pregnant women with syphilis, including those co-infected with HCV, in West Virginia from 2019 to 2023.
Women with HCV co-infection showed lower adherence to recommended syphilis treatment regimens, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Clinical Best Practices
Implement universal screening for both syphilis and HCV during pregnancy.
Provide integrated care addressing substance use, incarceration history, and social vulnerabilities to improve treatment adherence.
Ensure timely and adequate syphilis treatment completion at least 30 days before delivery to reduce congenital syphilis risk.
Enhance public health surveillance and follow-up to monitor treatment outcomes and congenital infection rates.
