title: Risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission by anti-HCV-negative blood components in Austria and Germany.
abstract: In order to estimate the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted HCV infection, we have analyzed data from transfusion centers in Austria (Vienna) and Germany (Göttingen) from 1990 to 1995. In Vienna, the seroprevalence (RIBA-confirmed third-generation anti-HCV tests) was 0.28% in first-time donors (FTD) and the incidence of seroconversion in repeat donors (RD) was 0.049 (per 100 person years) from 1994 to 1995. In Göttingen, the prevalence of a PCR-confirmed positive third-generation anti-HCV test was 0.22% in FTDs and the incidence was 0.093 (per 100 persons years). A continuous decline of the rate of anti-HCV-positive donations and donors was observed with first- and second-generation anti-HCV tests in the years 1990-1994. The introduction of the third-generation anti-HCV test resulted in increased numbers of anti-HCV positive repeat donors, mainly due to false-positive results. Only 9% of anti-HCV-positive repeat donors were either PCR positive or RIBA positive or or indeterminate. Based on a mathematical model which takes (a) the window period, (b) the false-negative rate of anti-HCV tests, and (c) human and operational errors into consideration, we have calculated the residual risk of HCV infection. We used a window period of 74 days, a sensitivity of 98%, and an error rate of .1%. The residual risk (for third-generation anti-HCV test-negative blood components) was calculated to be 1:9000 (95% confidence interval 1:16390-1:6210) and 1:4800 (95% confidence interval 1:40000-1:1320) for Vienna and Göttingen, respectively, in 1994 and 1995. Since this conservative approach does not take the impact of ALAT screening into account, the actual risk is probably lower.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion, University of Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Riggert
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uy
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jelinek
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fabritz
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Mayr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Köhler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D001782:Blood Donors; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005858:Germany; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction