title: Prospective assessment of donor blood screening for antibody to hepatitis C virus by first- and second-generation assays as a means of preventing posttransfusion hepatitis.
abstract: In November 1989, the Japanese Red Cross began screening blood donors for the hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) by first-generation assay and high-titer hepatitis B virus core antigen antibody. A significant reduction in the incidence of acute posttransfusion hepatitis was reported; however, the incidence still ranged from 2 percent to 4 percent. The Red Cross changed to the second-generation assay in February 1992, the objective being the complete elimination of potential posttransfusion hepatitis. The aim was to elucidate the advantage of second-generation assay as a blood-donor screening test. The incidence of posttransfusion hepatitis after the introduction of second-generation assay was compared with that before the introduction of the first-generation assay and with that during its use. The incidence of posttransfusion hepatitis was 9.6 percent (216/2,240) before anti-HCV-s donor screening. It was 3.7 percent (24/655) and 0.9 percent (3/326) after the introductions of the first- and second-generation hepatitis C virus (HCV) assays, respectively (chi (2) = 50.0, P < .01). Blood-donor screening by second-generation anti-HCV provided a significant benefit compared with the first-generation assay.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kawasaki Chuo Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawai
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yokosuka
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Satomura
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Omata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001782:Blood Donors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies