title: Hepatitis C RNA prevalence in a Western European organ donor pool and virus transmission by organ transplantation.
abstract: Liver disease is a common finding after organ transplantation and might in part be due to transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of positive results with different anti-HCV tests and HCV-RNA in a local donor pool and to clarify to what extent HCV was transmitted to organ recipients. Serum samples from 207 consecutive organ donors were analysed retrospectively with anti-HCV ELISA (2nd and 3rd generation), anti-HCV RIBA (2nd generation) and HCV polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Organ recipients at risk were identified and followed up serologically and clinically. Anti-HCV seroprevalance in organ donors was 4.3% for 2nd generation ELISA, 4.8% for 3rd generation ELISA and 1.9% for 2nd generation RIBA. HCV-PCR was positive in 1.4%. Nine organs from four RIBA-positive donors were transplanted into eight recipients of whom four became anti-HCV and PCR positive after transplantation. HCV-PCR became positive several days after transplantation whereas anti-HCV seroconversion took place after 8-9 months. Two recipients developed acute liver disease and another two showed features of mild chronic liver disease but no serious complications due to HCV infection were observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Zurich Hospital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Candinas
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Joller-Jemelka
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schlumpf
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wicki
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mutimer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Keusch
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Largiadèr
mesh_terms: D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014019:Tissue Donors
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral