The spectrum of hepatitis C antibody positive disease in a teaching hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To survey clinical associations of a positive hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV-antibody) test.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of all positive HCV-antibody tests reported by a Virology Department.


METHODS
A complex secondary and tertiary care teaching hospital.


METHODS
144 confirmed cases with HCV-antibody in serum, identified from approximately 2,500 clinical specimens tested.


RESULTS
Over 99% of positive tests were in the following groups: liver dysfunction; multiply transfused individuals; intravenous drug abusers; patients with bleeding disorders; and renal replacement therapy. Amongst the patients with liver disease--the only group in which a known epidemiological association was not the indication for testing--over 25% of patients had no risk factor identifiable, representing 7.5% of the total group of HCV-antibody positive patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective HCV-antibody testing in a U.K. hospital population reveals a substantial population of positive patients, and risk factors for hepatitis C are not always present.
Esfahani
R F
RF
Department of Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, U.K.
Saunders
N
N
Ward
K N
KN
Hodgson
H J
HJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies