Hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C antibodies among blood donors in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
We determined the prevalence rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) among 7897 healthy voluntary blood donors in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran. Sera were examined for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies using a second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Positive sera for HBsAg were found in 85 (1.07%) of the individuals and anti-HCV antibodies were found in 47 (0.59%). We compared our results with those of other studies and conclude that the prevalence rate of HBsAg in our area has decreased in the last 2 decades; from being an area of high prevalence, it is now one with moderate-to-low prevalence. Since there are few reports on the seroepidemiology of hepatitis C in the Islamic Republic of Iran, we could not assess the changes in prevalence of hepatitis C.
Centre for Research Consultation, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Ghavanini
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Sabri
D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002353:Carrier State / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies