Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus among blood donors in Lebanon, 1997-2000

Citation
N. Irani-hakime et al., Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus among blood donors in Lebanon, 1997-2000, CLIN LAB H, 23(5), 2001, pp. 317-323
Citations number
43
Categorie Soggetti
Hematology
Journal title
CLINICAL AND LABORATORY HAEMATOLOGY
ISSN journal
01419854 → ACNP
Volume
23
Issue
5
Year of publication
2001
Pages
317 - 323
Database
ISI
SICI code
0141-9854(200110)23:5<317:POAAHC>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in many individuals is asymptomat ic and the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among b lood donors in Lebanon is scarce. This study aimed to address the prevalenc e of anti-HCV in 8700 blood donors, the data obtained was compared to other world regions. Between 1997 and 2000, 8700 blood donors were screened for the presence of anti-HCV in their sera. Initially reactive specimens were r etested in duplicate, and repeatedly positive samples were subsequently ret ested by a third generation microplate enzyme immunoassay. Of the 8700 bloo d donors screened, 51 were confirmed positive for anti-HCV, giving a preval ence rate of 0.6%. While there was no difference in anti-HCV prevalence in relation to age or gender, higher rates were seen in non-Lebanese compared to Lebanese subjects (6.17% vs. 0.48%, P < 0.001). None of the anti-HCV pos itive individuals had an identifiable risk factor for contracting HCV (intr avenous drug user, prior transfusion, etc.), and their transaminases were c omparable to anti-HCV-negative donors, suggesting that HCV-positive donors were asymptomatic. These results demonstrate low prevalence of anti-HCV amo ng Lebanese blood donors, which was comparable to those established for Wes tern countries.