[Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in patients of the Regional Viral Reference Laboratory (Maracaibo, Venezuela)].
OBJECTIVE
Collect and analyze information regarding seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in a population of 722 patients that visited the Regional Viral Reference Laboratory (Maracaibo, Venezuela) during the years 2000-2003.


METHODS
An immunoenzymatic test INNOTEST HCV Ab IV of Innogenetics was used to evaluate the presence of IgG type antibodies against the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in the serum of the patients studied. Results obtained with respect to seroprevalence and other epidemiological variables, were organized and analyzed using SPSS 10.0 (Chicago, USA) and Origin Pro 7.5 (Northampton, USA) software.


RESULTS
A seroprevalence of 2.63% (19,322) was found, higher than that reported in Venezuela for the general population (0.9%) and other groups. The infection was more frequent in men than in women. The most common symptoms in the infected patients were jaundice and cephalalgia (31.58%).


CONCLUSIONS
The data reported shall update previous research in the zone and indicates the need to develop epidemiological control for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in the State of Zulia.
Cuadra-Sánchez
César
C
Laboratorio Regional de Referencia Virológica, Facultad de Medicina, La Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Moronta-Piñango
Reyna
R
Córdova-Villanueva
Evelyn
E
Mindiola-Morles
Raimy
R
Araujo-Soto
Mary
M
Callejas-Monsalve
Diana
D
Porto-Espinoza
Leticia
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G