Prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus in Pakistani thalassaemics by particle agglutination test utilizing C 200 and C 22-3 viral antigen coated particles.
Exposure to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its effect on ALT levels was studied in 35 transfusion dependent cases of thalassaemia major. Twenty-one (60%) cases were anti HCV positive and also showed raised Alanine Transaminase (ALT) levels. Of 14 anti HCV negative, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBs Ag) negative seven showed raised ALT levels, indicating the chances of acute viraemia. Thus there is an urgent need to start anti HCV screening on all blood donations.
Bhatti
F A
FA
Department of Pathology, AFIT and AFIP, Rawalpindi.
Amin
M
M
Saleem
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000379:methods; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010154:Pakistan; D015995:Prevalence; D014766:Viremia; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens; D000410:Alanine Transaminase