Transmission of hepatitis C virus by transfusion in Orebro County, Sweden, 1990-1992.
A retrospective study of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission by transfusion was conducted in Orebro county. Out of the 7,900 active, registered blood donors, 21 repeatedly anti-HCV reactive (RIVA 2 positive or indeterminate) donors were diagnosed. Their 84 recipients from January 1990 through June 1992 were identified and 41 (49%) were alive in December 1992. A total of 13 anti-HCV reactive (RIBA 2 positive or indeterminate) were diagnosed in 39 investigated recipients. Of these 11 were previously undiagnosed, and seven were HCV RNA-positive. In the donor population 1.03% were anti-HCV-positive by ELISA, but only 0.09% were RIBA and HCV RNA-positive. In 1990, 0.06% of the blood components came from the HCV RNA-positive donors, and none during the first 6 months of 1992. In order to identify transfusion-transmitted HCV infections that took place before the introduction of tests for anti-HCV antibodies, patients with a history of transfusion and symptoms and signs of liver dysfunction or damage should be thoroughly tested.
Norda
R
R
Department of Transfusion Medicine, Orebro Medical Center Hospital, Sweden.
Duberg
A S
AS
Sönnerborg
A
A
Olcén
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral