title: Blood exchanged in ritual ceremonies as a possible route for infection with hepatitis C virus.
abstract: Of 52 blood donors (25 men and 27 women) counselled because their donation tested positive for hepatitis C virus antibody, seven (13.5%) gave a history of practising the ritual of blood exchange in their childhood or early adult life. This practice can cause transmission of blood borne infections or alloimmunisation, or both.
authors.affiliation: West Midlands Regional Blood Transfusion Service, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Atrah
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Ala
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gough
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D001815:Bloodletting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male