title: Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus among blood donors in Lebanon, 1997-2000.
abstract: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in many individuals is asymptomatic and the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among blood donors in Lebanon is scarce. This study aimed to address the prevalence of anti-HCV in 8700 blood donors, the data obtained was compared to other world regions. Between 1997 and 2000, 8700 blood donors were screened for the presence of anti-HCV in their sera. Initially reactive specimens were retested in duplicate, and repeatedly positive samples were subsequently retested by a third generation microplate enzyme immunoassay. Of the 8700 blood donors screened, 51 were confirmed positive for anti-HCV, giving a prevalence rate of 0.6%. While there was no difference in anti-HCV prevalence in relation to age or gender, higher rates were seen in non-Lebanese compared to Lebanese subjects (6.17% vs. 0.48%, P < 0.001). None of the anti-HCV positive individuals had an identifiable risk factor for contracting HCV (intravenous drug user, prior transfusion, etc.), and their transaminases were comparable to anti-HCV-negative donors, suggesting that HCV-positive donors were asymptomatic. These results demonstrate low prevalence of anti-HCV among Lebanese blood donors, which was comparable to those established for Western countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, St. Georges Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Irani-Hakime
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamim
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 / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D019371:Topography, Medical; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D000637:Transaminases; C020656:glutamine-pyruvate aminotransferase