CHRONIC LIVER-DISEASE IN ASYMPTOMATIC HEPATITIS-C ANTIBODY POSITIVE BLOOD-DONORS

The risks of acquisition of hepatitis C infection, the histological sp ectrum of liver disease, and the presence of viraemia were investigate d in anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positive blood donors. All 357 (0.64%) blood donors to the South Australian Red Cross Transfusion Service found to have anti-HCV antibody during the first seven months of testing in 1990 were assessed, and 70 (19.6%) were found to have e levated alanine transaminase levels. These subjects were referred for participation in the study; 31 presented for enrolment. Sixteen (52%) of the 31 patients had previously used intravenous drugs, four (13%) h ad been transfused, two (6%) had a history of occupational exposure to blood, and three (10%) had tattoos and ear-piercing as possible risk factors for acquisition of hepatitis C. There was no history of parent eral exposure in six (16%). None of these donors had clinical evidence of liver disease, but in all 24 of the 31 who had a liver biopsy ther e was histological evidence of significant liver damage. Twelve had ev idence of chronic active hepatitis. All 24 subjects biopsied were vira emic as judged by the presence of HCV RNA in serum.