title: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in New Zealand.
abstract: Preliminary studies of the seroprevalence of hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) in selected New Zealand populations, reveal similarities to other Western countries. High rates occur in haemophiliacs and intravenous drug users with relatively low rates in routine blood donors. Unlike hepatitis B virus infections anti-HCV does not appear to be more prevalent in Maoris and Pacific Islanders living in New Zealand. Chronic liver disease is associated with anti-HCV. The frequency of anti-HCV in homosexuals and persons attending sexual disease clinics is higher than that found in blood donors. Further detailed studies of the frequency of anti-HCV in New Zealand populations are now required to extend the present baseline data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, Auckland Regional Blood Services, New Zealand.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Woodfield
mesh_terms: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies