title: [Prevalence of VHB and VHC serological markers among blood donors in the capital state of Veracruz, Mexico].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic liver disease has a high mortality among the Mexican population. However epidemiological data on hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infection in the southeast areas of the country is limited. Our objective was to report the prevalence of blood markers of HBV and HCV among blood donors from the capital city of Veracruz, Mexico.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January and December 2005 we analyzed the results of the screening tests used to detect serological markers of HBV and HCV infection (HBsAg and anti-HCV). We included demographic data of blood donors from the State Center for Blood Transfusion of the capital city of Veracruz.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We reviewed 8,650 blood donor reports and found a prevalence of 0.057% and 1.1% for AgsHB and anti-HCV respectively. Only 2.97% of all individuals with a positive test had been previously screened for hepatic viruses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from our study indicate that the central and southeast regions of the state of Veracruz have a high anti-HCV prevalence among blood donors when compared with results from other states in Mexico. Further studies should evaluate risk factors in regions with high HCV seropositivity.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina Miguel Alemán Valdés, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Veracruz, México. drjvalerio@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Joaquín
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valerio-Ureña
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vásquez-Fernández
authors.forename: Julio A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pérez-Sosa
authors.forename: Luis F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Cortazar-Benitez
authors.forename: Norberto C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Chávez-Tapia
authors.forename: Oscar A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ruvalcaba-Rojas
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Torres-Medina
authors.forename: Agustín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ocejo-Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014504:Urban Health
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies