[Antibodies against hepatitis C virus. Study in voluntary blood donors. Cuba 1991].
Four hundred and sixty one samples randomly selected among blood donors from three blood banks in Havana City were investigated for HCV antibodies. Samples repeatedly reactive to Organcon Tecknica immunoenzymatic assay were considered positives and were further confirmed by an Ortho test. An epidemiological survey was conducted among all donors included in the sample to assess infection risk factors. Seven subjects (1.5%) resulted repeatedly reactive to the test, slightly higher than in developed countries. Mean age in positive patients was seven years higher than in negative subjects (39 vs 31.5), but the Student's test did not show any significant difference. Seropositivity was higher in males (1.7 vs 0.9) and very similar as to the color of skin (1.9 mulattos, 1.5 whites and 1.0 blacks) but it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Among risk factors with higher odd ratios were to have more than five sexual partners in the last five years and having worked in a health care institution, but this was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The probability of receiving one unit of HCV infected blood was of 1.5% and 45% when receiving 40 units. Given the importance of the virus, the need of establishing specific control measures in the shortest period of time for HCV detection in blood is under-lined.
Galban García
E
E
Dpto. Epidemiología del Instituto de Gastroenterología Cuba, IGE.
Padrón
G
G
Arus Soler
E
E
González
O
O
Rodríguez
Z
Z
Mora
S
S
Brito
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D003462:Cuba / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies
Anticuerpos contra el virus de la hepatitis C. Estudio en donantes voluntarios. Cuba 1991.