title: Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus among blood donors in Lebanon, 1997-2003.
abstract: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was determined among 16,084 blood donors (14,993 males; mean age, 31.7 +/- 8.2 years and 1084 females; mean age, 31.4 +/- 8.2 years) in the period 1997-2003. Of the donors screened, 149 were HBsAg positive (0.926%), and 65 were anti-HCV positive (0.404%). There was a steady decline in HBsAg prevalence from 1.56% (1997) to 0.33% (2003) and in anti-HCV from 1.22% (1997) to 0.16% (2003). Females had a higher prevalence of anti-HCV (P = .031) and HBsAg (P = .047). Results obtained are of value in light of the occurrence of HBV and HCV transmission by nonparenteral routes.
authors: St. Georges University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Noha
authors: N
authors: Irani-Hakime
authors: Umayya
authors: U
authors: Musharrafieh
authors: Hanady
authors: H
authors: Samaha
authors: Wassim Y
authors: WY
authors: Almawi