HEPATITIS-C VIRUS DETECTION IN HIGH-RISK PATIENTS LIVING IN A SOUTHERN CHILEAN REGION

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C v irus antibodies in high risk patients coming from Valdivia, Osorno and Puerto Montt. Fifty-six patients in hemodialysis, 51 renal graft reci pients, 42 cirrhotics and 14 patients with acute non A non B hepatitis were studied. Antibodies were detected with a second generation ELISA technique and positive cases were confirmed with RIBA. All hemodialys is patients and renal graft recipients were negative for hepatitis C v irus antibodies. In one non alcoholic patient with cirrhosis, a positi ve ELISA was confirmed With RIBA. Six patients with acute hepatitis ha d positive ELISA tests hit none was confirmed with RIBA. It is conclud ed that the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in this region of Chile is very low.