Transmitted-transfusion infections. Screening in French blood donations from 1996 to 1998.

From 1996 to 1998, a decrease in positive donation rates has been observed for HIV, HCV and HBs Ag in first-time donors, while these rates remained st able for HTLV. In repeat donors, the same decrease was observed for HCV and HBs Ag while the rates remained stable for HIV. No HTLV-positive donations from repeat donors were noted in 1998. About half of the HIV-positive repe at donors were regular donors (less than two years between the two donation s), as well as 88% of HBV-infected repeat donors. Inversely, only 20% of HC V-positive repeat donors were regular donors. Anti-HBc antibodies have been found in 20% of HIV-infected donors, in 22% of HCV-infected donors, and we re associated with HBs Ag in 99% of the cases. Elevated ALT was observed in 47% of donors with anti-HCV and in 10% of donors with HBs Ag. The major ri sk factors are at-risk sexual behavior for HIV and use of intravenous drugs and nosocomial infections for HCV. Being a native of an endemic country ha s been found to be the major risk for HBV. The major HTLV risk factor was d irectly or indirectly linked to the Caribbean area. (C) 2000 Editions scien tifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.