HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-RNA AND ANTIBODIES AMONG BLOOD-DONORS IN BEIJING

Blood units from voluntary as well as commercial donors in Beijing, Ch ina, were tested for hepatitis C virus RNA and antibodies, and for ser ological markers of hepatitis B virus infection. HCV RNA was detected less frequently in 1909 voluntary donors (5 (0.3%)), than in 1017 comm ercial donors (58 (5.7%)) (p<0.001). Antibody to hepatitis C virus was detected by the second-generation enzyme immunoassay in 55 (87%) of 6 3 blood units with viremia. Evidence of present or past infection with hepatitis B virus was common both in voluntary (43.9%) and commercial (46.4%) donors. There were eight (13%) sera with HCV-RNA in which hep atitis C virus antibodies were not detectable by second-generation enz yme immunoassay. Of 63 HCV-RNA samples from donors, 33 (52%) were of g enotype II, 18 (29%) of III and one (2%) of II+III. HCV-RNA in the rem aining 11 (17%) were not classifiable into any of the genotypes I, II, III,;IV and V. Genotype II was more frequent in viremic donors with e levated alanine aminotransferase levels (13/18 or 72%) than in those w ith normal levels (20/45 or 44%). These results indicate a low prevale nce of hepatitis C virus infection in the general population in Beijin g, and the limitations of identifying sera with viremia by second-gene ration enzyme immunoassay. (C) Journal of Hepatology.