HEPATITIS-C RNA PREVALENCE IN A WESTERN-EUROPEAN ORGAN DONOR POOL ANDVIRUS TRANSMISSION BY ORGAN-TRANSPLANTATION

Liver disease is a common finding after organ transplantation and migh t in part be due to transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim o f this study was to determine the prevalence of positive results with different anti-HCV tests and HCV-RNA in a local donor pool and to clar ify to what extent HCV was transmitted to organ recipients. Serum samp les from 207 consecutive organ donors were analysed retrospectively wi th anti-HCV ELISA (2nd and 3rd generation), anti-HCV RIBA (2nd generat ion) and HCV polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Organ recipients at risk were identified and followed up serologically and clinically. Anti-HC V seroprevalance in organ donors was 4.3% for 2nd generation ELISA, 4. 8% for 3rd generation ELISA and 1.9% for 2nd generation RIBA. HCV-PCR was positive in 1.4%. Nine organs from four RIBA-positive donors were transplanted into eight recipients of whom four became anti-HCV and PC R positive after transplantation. HCV-PCR became positive several days after transplantation whereas anti-HCV seroconversion took place afte r 8-9 months. Two recipients developed acute liver disease and another two showed features of mild chronic liver disease but no serious comp lications due to HCV infection were observed.