Estimated risk of transmission of hepatitis C virus by blood transfusion.
OBJECTIVE
The risk of transmitting hepatitis C (HCV) by transfusion of anti-HCV-negative screened blood was estimated for the blood donor population of Baden-Württemberg (southwestern Germany).


METHODS
The data from the blood donors screened for anti-HCV and for HBsAg during 1990-1995 were analyzed.


RESULTS
The prevalence of confirmed anti-HCV -positive blood donations decreased continuously during the last 5 years, reaching 121 per 100,000 blood donations. A higher anti-HCV prevalence rate was found in female than in male blood donors (p < 0.05). The estimated risk of transmitting HCV during the window period is 1:200,000 (1:97,000-1:1,400,000) for repeat donors. In 1995, the calculated risk for first-time donors was 1:20,000 (1:15,000-28,000). The incidence for HCV was 1.2 per 100,000 blood donations.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of transmitting hepatitis C by blood transfusion is low. Additional tests to shorten the window period to detect antibodies to HCV might increase the safety of blood transfusion.
Koerner
K
K
German Red Cross Blood Donation Service Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Cardoso
M
M
Dengler
T
T
Kerowgan
M
M
Kubanek
B
B
D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies