Biochemical, virological and histopathological changes in Danish blood donors with antibodies to hepatitis C virus.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have indicated that the presence of antibodies to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is indicative of current HCV infection irrespective of S-alanine aminotransferase (S-ALT) values.


METHODS
Over three years, all confirmed anti-HCV-positive blood donors form the Blood Banks of Copenhagen County were consecutively evaluated. Seven women and 14 men with a median age of 34 years were included. Serum HCV-RNA was measured with an in-house developed single PCR. Liver biopsies were classified according to standard criteria.


RESULTS
All were asymptomatic at presentation with no history of liver disease. Previous intravenous drug abuse and/or tattooing were identified in 16. Seventeen blood donors were evaluated biochemically and histologically. Serum HCV-RNA was detectable in 14, all of whom had histopathological changes in their liver biopsy including chronic active hepatitis and active cirrhosis. Twelve of the 14 HCV-RNA-positive donors had elevated S-ALT. In the three HCV-RNA-negative donors, S-ALT was normal. Two of these had normal liver biopsies, whereas the third had minimal changes.


CONCLUSIONS
To diagnose and evaluate the activity of chronic HCV infection, liver biopsy and HCV-RNA assessment are essential in confirmed anti-HCV-positive individuals irrespective of symptoms and S-ALT levels.
Grønbaek
K E
KE
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amtssygehuset i Gentofte.
Jensen
O J
OJ
Krarup
H B
HB
Dietrichson
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001483:Base Sequence; D001706:Biopsy; D001782:Blood Donors; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase