Hepatitis C virus: Routes of infection and genotypes in a cohort of anti-HCV-positive French blood donors

We evaluated and analysed risk factors of HCV-infected blood donors accordi ng to HCV genotypes in order to improve the transfusion policy and safety o f blood supply. Materials and Methods: HCV-RNA was analysed in sera from 51 8 anti-HCV-positive blood donors, who were invited to medical consultation and interview as to risk factors by means of an extensive questionnaire. HC V genotyping was done on all samples posi tive for HCV-RNA. Results: Of the 518 sera, 399 (77%) were HCV-RNA positive, and 394 of 399 HCV genotypes we re identified. Major genotypes were 1b (34.3%), 3a (24%), 1a (19.5%) and 2 (11.4%). Of the donors, 289 (55.8%) were interviewed regarding their risk b ehaviour: 27% were former intravenous drug users (IVDUs), 26% had been tran sfused, 8% had a history of invasive diagnostic procedures, and 13% a histo ry of surgery. Among the 224 interviewed donors, genotypes 1a and 3a were m ainly associated with IVDU (51 and 45% respectively) and genotype 1b, with transfusion and nosocomial infections (40 and 25%, respectively). Conclusio n: In this population of anti-HCV-positive blood donors, nosocomial infecti on may be a route of HCV spread, but the main risk factor remains IVDU, par ticularly in young men. The transfusion policy will improve if predonation interviews of such young men are done with a specific and sensitive questio nnaire. Copyright (C) 2000 S.Karger AG,Basel.