title: Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in blood donors in Riyadh.
abstract: Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was determined in 580 voluntary blood donors in Riyadh. Among 403 Saudis screened, the prevalence was 1.24%, while among 177 expatriates screened the prevalence was 4.52%. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.02; x(2)test). The overall prevalence of 2.24% is lower than that reported in Spain (7.3%) but higher than reports from the United Kingdom (0.5 to 1%0, Italy (0.87%), or Germany (0.24 to 0.79%0. In view of reports that blood positive for anti-HCV can transmit non-A, non-B hepatitis, it is advisable to routinely screen donor blood for anti-HCV.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medicine, and Central Laboratory and Blood Bank, Riyadh Central Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Mofarreh
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Fakunle
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: El-Karamany
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Ezzat
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Ballesteros
authors.forename: M Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Khawaji
authors.forename: A Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: El-Drees