title: [Detection of hepatitis C virus antibodies in a pool of 5 sera: their use in seroepidemiologic studies].
abstract: In order to evaluate the reduction in the cost of testing for antibodies against hepatitis C (EIA) by the pool method, we tested serum samples from a rural population and from patients in a hemodialysis program. Two thirds of the high risk groups were positive. Pooling reduced the reagent use by 80% in the rural population and by 13% in the hemodialysis patients. We conclude that pool testing reduces the cost of anti-HCV detection in low-risk groups.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Clínica Médica. da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Ozaki
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Fontes
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Fortes
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Souto
mesh_terms: D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies