ANTI HCV PRESCRIPTION IN 39 FRENCH HOSPIT ALS

The prevalence of anti HCV antibodies in the french population is not very well known. In this study we tried to evaluate the condition of p rescription of the hepatitis C serology in patients from 39 french hos pitals. Anti HCV antibodies were found in 6,35 percent of the tested p atients represented by 5744 sera. This result is of course quite diffe rent of the usual prevalence (0,7 %) found among french blood donors, related to non systematic prescription. In some medical departments, l ike those of occupational Medicine, Pediatrics, Maternity and Gynecolo gy, Orthopedic surgery, prescription is mon systematic and so rates of positivity are more representative of prevalence rates. However serop ositivity rate is higher than those of blood donors population. The co mbinate prescription of HIV, HBV and HCV serology give also interestin g results. We found a prevalence of hepatitis C antibody of 28 % among HN positive patients and a prevalence of 20 percent among HBV positiv e patients. 44 % of HIV, HBV positive patients have antibodies anti HC V. These patients have probably many risk factors of contamination (tr ansfusion, toxicomany...). In order to realise the prevalence of anti HCV antibodies, we have to choose some departments and to advocate sys tematically a prescription of the HCV serology. Otherwise, it will be interesting to specify the HIV or HBV serologic status of patients HCV positive, just as the ALAT rate and the notion of risk factors.