title: Hepatitis C virus antibodies among risk groups in Spain.
abstract: The frequency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Spain was assessed by means of a recombinant-based immunoassay for serum anti-HCV antibodies. 836 serum samples were tested from 676 patients selected according to their risk of blood-borne viral infections and presence of liver disease. Among patients at high risk of infection (with or without liver disease) anti-HCV antibodies were found in 85% of prospectively followed patients with post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis, 62% of patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis and a history of blood transfusion, 70% of haemophiliacs receiving replacement therapy, 70% of intravenous drug abusers, and 20% of haemodialysis patients. Only 8% of homosexual men infected with human immunodeficiency virus and 6% of female contacts of drug abusers were positive. Among patients with liver disease and no history of parenteral exposure to blood, anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 38% with cryptogenic, alcoholic, or primary biliary cirrhosis and in 44% with chronic active hepatitis. Among healthy subjects without risk factors for hepatitis the overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 1.2%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autonoma, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Esteban
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Esteban
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Viladomiu
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: López-Talavera
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roget
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Genescà
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies