title: Seroprevalence of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in Singapore.
abstract: The prevalence of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in Singapore was assessed using a recombinant-based enzyme linked immunoassay system. 1004 serum samples were obtained from normal subjects (463), hemodialysis patients (112), hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers (188), patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (58) and patients with non-hepatitis B virus related liver diseases (183). Anti-HCV was found to be positive in 1.7% of healthy subjects, and in 20% of patients on regular hemodialysis. Three percent of HBV carriers were positive for anti-HCV. Twelve percent of patients with acute hepatitis with no known causes and 20% patients with chronic hepatitis with no known causes were positive for anti-HCV. Among patients with cirrhosis for which no known causes were found 33% were positive for anti-HCV. Thirty six percent of patients with HCC not associated with the presence of HBsAg were positive of anti-HCV. None of the patients with known causes of liver disease were positive for anti-HCV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yap
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Choong
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Woo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies