title: Hepatitis C antibodies in patients with alcoholic liver disease commonly have an identifiable risk factor.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunoblot assay were determined in 139 patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Risk factors for exposure to HCV were recorded. Anti-HCV was detected by RIA in 38 (27%), but only 18 (13%) were confirmed with an immunoblot assay. One hundred seven (77%) had risk factors. Of these 107, anti-HCV was detected in 36 by RIA and in 17 by immunoblot assay. Only 2 of 32 patients without risk factors had anti-HCV detected by RIA (1 was reactive with immunoblot, p < 0.05 vs. patients with risk factors). Parenteral drug use and multiple heterosexual contacts were significantly associated with anti-HCV. Age, sex, duration of alcoholism, race, and birthplace did not correlate with detectable HCV antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: McHutchison
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Govindarajan
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Redeker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies