title: Clinical and epidemiological assessment of hepatitis C virus infection among voluntary blood donors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study analyzes the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), with emphasis on differences between voluntary multiple blood donors, first time blood donors, and non-donating patients with chronic or acute hepatitis C.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our epidemiological and clinical assessment covered 119 voluntary blood donors, as well as 92 HCV patients who did not donate blood. All subjects were from the same region of HCV patients and were seen in the same hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A variety of potential HCV transmission routes variety was demonstrated in both examined groups. The main infection routes were associated with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in medical service units. Substantial time divergence was found between probable HCV infection and onset of first symptoms suggesting liver pathology or HCV antibody detection. No subjects from either groups showed specific symptoms pointing univocally at liver disease. Hepatomegaly was the most common symptom observed on physical examination. No pathology of other organs which could possibly be associated with HCV infection was found in any patient. Increased aminotransferase activity was found in over 40% of the donors, and over 90% of the non-donating patients on first examination. Liver biopsy histological assessment delivered the most reliable information concerning the degree of liver pathology degree, which was slight in most cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multiple voluntary blood donation does not influence the clinical picture and course of HCV infection, nor does it not increase the risk of HCV infection.
authors.affiliation: Regional Specialized Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: ŁAbedzka
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gładysz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000378:metabolism; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors