EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS - A STUDY OF MALE BLOOD-DONORS IN SAUDI-ARABIA

Background: Few epidemiologic reports on the prevalence of hepatitis C in Saudi blood donors have been published. Study Design and Methods: Men (of several nationalities) donating blood at the King Khalid Natio nal Guard Hospital (Jeddah,Saudi Arabia) were randomly selected (n = 7 44) for this study examining the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) In the local donor population, the relationship of antibody to HCV (a nti-HCV) to the Surrogate markers alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and a ntibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), and the effect of the use of these markers on the discard rate. Results: The prevalence of a nti-HCV in the group examined was 3.2 percent (24/744), with a signifi cantly high prevalence of 24.5 percent (12/49) in donors who were Egyp tian (p<0.0001). Exclusion of this group would lower the prevalence to 1.7 percent (12/695). Anti-HCV prevalence peaked in the group aged 30 to 39, and a significant relationship was: found between anti-HCV and ALT level >65 U/L(p<0.0001). There was no significant relationship be tween anti-HCV and anti-HBc (p = 0.66). The prevalence of anti-HCV in the Saudis studied was 1.7 percent (9/528). The prevalence bf anti-HCV in non-Bedouin Saudis was significantly greater than that in Bedouin Saudis (7/165 [4.2%] vs. 2/363 [0.5%]; p<0.01). The prevalence of anti -H Be was found to be 28.7 percent (214/744). The use of elevated ALT (>90 U/L) and anti-HBc as surrogate markers would increase the current discard rate (8.3%) by 8.8 and 23.8 percent, respectively. Conclusion : These findings demonstrate the practical difficulties of using anti- HBc as a surrogate marker for hepatitis C in areas endemic for hepatit is B virus.