title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among blood donors: a hospital-based study.
abstract: Insofar as chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in many individuals is asymptomatic, and as the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among blood donors in Lebanon is scarce, this study addressed the prevalence of anti-HCV in 5,115 blood donors. Data obtained were compared to other world regions. Of the blood donors screened, 57 were initially tested positive or doubtful for anti-HCV Ab. Subsequent testing by two-third generation enzyme immunoassays confirmed that, of the 57 initially tested positive/doubtful, only 18 were positive for anti-HCV giving a prevalence rate of 0.4%. While there was no difference in HCV prevalence with respect to age or gender, a higher rate was seen in non-Lebanese compared to Lebanese subjects (3.4% vs 0.3%, P < 0.001). These results demonstrate a low prevalence of HCV infection among Lebanese blood donors, which was comparable to those established for western countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamim
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Irani-Hakime
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Aoun
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khoury
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Samaha
authors.forename: W Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Almawi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D019371:Topography, Medical
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies