title: Epidemiological profile of hepatitis C in blood donors at the Uberaba Regional Blood Center.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to outline the serological profile of hepatitis C among blood donors seen at the Uberaba Regional Blood Center, Hemominas Foundation, over the last 14 years. The frequency of hepatitis C was compared between first-time and repeat donors and the epidemiological characteristics of those with positive and indeterminate ELISA anti-HCV (third and fourth generation) were analyzed based on the donor histories kept in the archives of the Uberaba Regional Blood Center. The serological ineligibility rate was 0.3%, with higher prevalence in the group of first-time donors. We did not find any significant differences regarding age, skin color, marital status or place of residence between eligible and ineligible donors; however, the frequency of positive serology was higher among men. The lower (0.3%) rate of ineligibility due to hepatitis C that was observed at the Uberaba Regional Blood Center, in relation to most Brazilian blood centers, is probably due to the large number of repeat donors (83.3%). This reinforces the importance of achieving donor commitment for increasing transfusion safety.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG.
authors.forename: Fernanda Bernadelli
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Gilberto de Araújo
authors.initials: Gde A
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto Juliano
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Helio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moraes-Souza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies