TY - JOUR
T1 - HEPATITIS C VIRUS ANTIBODIES AMONG RISK GROUPS IN SPAIN
AU - Esteban, J. I.
AU - Viladomiu, L.
AU - Gonzalez, A.
AU - Roget, M.
AU - Genescà, J.
AU - Esteban, R.
AU - López-Talavera, J. C.
AU - Hernández, J. M.
AU - Vargas, V.
AU - Buti, M.
AU - Guardia, J.
AU - Houghton, M.
AU - Choo, Q. L.
AU - Kuo, G.
PY - 1989/8/5
Y1 - 1989/8/5
N2 - The frequency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Spain was assessed by means of a recombinant-based immunoassay for serum anti-HCV antibodies. 836 serum samples were tested from 676 patients selected according to their risk of blood-borne viral infections and presence of liver disease. Among patients at high risk of infection (with or without liver disease) anti-HCV antibodies were found in 85% of prospectively followed patients with post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis, 62% of patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis and a history of blood transfusion, 70% of haemophiliacs receiving replacement therapy, 70% of intravenous drug abusers, and 20% of haemodialysis patients. Only 8% of homosexual men infected with human immunodeficiency virus and 6% of female contacts of drug abusers were positive. Among patients with liver disease and no history of parenteral exposure to blood, anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 38% with cryptogenic, alcoholic, or primary biliary cirrhosis and in 44% with chronic active hepatitis. Among healthy subjects without risk factors for hepatitis the overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 1·2%. © 1989.
AB - The frequency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Spain was assessed by means of a recombinant-based immunoassay for serum anti-HCV antibodies. 836 serum samples were tested from 676 patients selected according to their risk of blood-borne viral infections and presence of liver disease. Among patients at high risk of infection (with or without liver disease) anti-HCV antibodies were found in 85% of prospectively followed patients with post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis, 62% of patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis and a history of blood transfusion, 70% of haemophiliacs receiving replacement therapy, 70% of intravenous drug abusers, and 20% of haemodialysis patients. Only 8% of homosexual men infected with human immunodeficiency virus and 6% of female contacts of drug abusers were positive. Among patients with liver disease and no history of parenteral exposure to blood, anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 38% with cryptogenic, alcoholic, or primary biliary cirrhosis and in 44% with chronic active hepatitis. Among healthy subjects without risk factors for hepatitis the overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 1·2%. © 1989.
U2 - 10.1016/S0140-6736(89)90485-6
DO - 10.1016/S0140-6736(89)90485-6
M3 - Article
VL - 334
SP - 294
EP - 297
IS - 8658
ER -
