[Hepatitis C virus antibodies in patients and the normal population]

With regard to the controversial issue of a reduction of transfusion-associated infections by non-remunerated donations, epidemiological data on the prevalence of HIV-1, HIV-2 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are of particular interest in our country. We investigated four sample categories: (1) healthy employees and workers from Hamburg; (2) hemodialysis patients; (3) hemato-oncological patients, and (4) blood donors, and tried to differentiate between the three disputed vectors of community-acquired (sexually or pregnancy-transmitted), nosocomial and transfusion/transplantation-associated HCV infections. We conclude from our results that--prior to the implementation of blood screening--our carefully selected 'paid blood donors' conferred no higher HCV risks than the general (working) population (0.66 vs. 0.82% HCV antibody prevalence). Besides transfusions/transplantations, significant nosocomial risks apparently exist in hemodialysis units (21.0 vs. 9.5% HCV seroprevalence in polytransfused patients). Preventive measures, e.g. separate dialysis machines for HCV-positive patients, seem to be advisable.