Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among blood donors: a hospital-based study.
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.
Tamim
H
H
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
Irani-Hakime
N
N
Aoun
J P
JP
Khoury
S
S
Samaha
H
H
Almawi
W Y
WY
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
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies