title: [Hepatitis C virus antibodies in patients and the normal population].
abstract: With regard to the controversial issue of a reduction of transfusion-associated infections by non-remunerated donations, epidemiological data on the prevalence of HIV-1, HIV-2 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are of particular interest in our country. We investigated four sample categories: (1) healthy employees and workers from Hamburg; (2) hemodialysis patients; (3) hemato-oncological patients, and (4) blood donors, and tried to differentiate between the three disputed vectors of community-acquired (sexually or pregnancy-transmitted), nosocomial and transfusion/transplantation-associated HCV infections. We conclude from our results that--prior to the implementation of blood screening--our carefully selected 'paid blood donors' conferred no higher HCV risks than the general (working) population (0.66 vs. 0.82% HCV antibody prevalence). Besides transfusions/transplantations, significant nosocomial risks apparently exist in hemodialysis units (21.0 vs. 9.5% HCV seroprevalence in polytransfused patients). Preventive measures, e.g. separate dialysis machines for HCV-positive patients, seem to be advisable.
authors.affiliation: Abt. für Transfusionsmedizin und Transplantationsimmunologie, Universitäts-Krankenhaus Eppendorf, Hamburg, BRD.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Knödler
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kühnl
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lubitz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Becks
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gutensohn
mesh_terms: D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence / Q000639:trends; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D012016:Reference Values; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
vernacular_title: HCV-Antikörper bei Patienten und in der Normalbevölkerung.