title: [Antibodies against hepatitis C virus in patients with liver diseases and in risk subjects. Preliminary report].
abstract: The recent discovery of an antigenic component of the causative agent of Non-A, Non-B hepatitis, has led to the characterization of this virus--Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)--and to the identification of an antibody present in infected subjects (anti-HCV) detected by means of the C-100 antigen derived from a nonstructural region of the viral genome. Using a commercial Kit (Ortho Diagnostic Inc.), the incidence of anti-HCV antibody was studied in the Military Hospital "Dr. Carlos Arvelo" of Caracas, Venezuela with the following results: Health personnel (doctors, nurses, laboratory staff): 102 persons studied, 2 positives (1.96%); 16 patients in chronic hemodialysis: 6 positives (33%); 20 subjects with antibodies against HIV virus, confirmed by Western Blot: 7 positives (35.4%). Of 10 patients with Surface Antigen negative Chronic Hepatitis, 7 (70%) positive for anti-HCV, of 25 patients with cirrhosis: 12 positive (48%), 2 patients with hepatocarcinoma 1 positive (50%). There was also a high incidence of total anti-core antibodies in the patients studied. The results suggest that the hepatitis C virus could be playing an important role as a causative factor of liver diseases in our Country.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Gastroenterología, Hospital Militar Dr. Carlos Arvelo, Caracas, Venezuela.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Garassini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valdés
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alvarado
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cid
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dugarte
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pérez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006282:Health Personnel; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000276:immunology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies
vernacular_title: Anticuerpos contra el virus de la hepatitis C en pacientes con hepatopatías y en sujetos a riesgo. Comunicación preliminar.