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[Examination of hepatitis c virus antibody seropositive blood donors and their relatives]
Henrik Osztrogonácz1, Gyula Stotz, Gábor Horváth
1BM Központi Kórház es Intézményei, I. Belgyógyászati Osztály, Budapest.
Insights
This study highlights that many individuals with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA positivity show normal or mildly elevated ALT levels, underscoring the need for liver biopsy. Family members of HCV-infected patients do not appear to have an increased risk of infection.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Context:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health concern.
- Accurate diagnosis and assessment of liver disease severity are crucial for effective patient management.
- The study investigated chronic Hepatitis C virus infection and liver disease in anti-HCV seropositive blood donors and their family members.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the prevalence of chronic Hepatitis C virus infection and liver disease in anti-HCV seropositive blood donors.
- To assess the utility of liver biopsy in diagnosing and staging chronic Hepatitis C virus infection.
- To determine the risk of HCV infection among family members of infected individuals.
Summary:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was detected in 70% of the studied patients.
- Liver biopsy revealed chronic Hepatitis C in 75 out of 79 patients, with significant inflammatory activity in many cases, often despite normal or mildly elevated ALT levels.
- Family members of HCV-infected blood donors showed a low prevalence of HCV infection and no detectable HCV RNA, suggesting a limited risk.
Impact:
- The findings emphasize the importance of systematic screening of anti-HCV seropositive individuals.
- Liver biopsy is crucial for accurately assessing liver damage and guiding treatment decisions in HCV RNA-positive patients.
- The study suggests that family members of HCV-infected individuals do not face a substantially increased risk of infection.
Introduction:
239 anti-HCV seropositive blood donors (132 male, 107 female, age: 19-61, mean: 40.59 y.) and 174 family members of them (74 male, 100 female, age: 4-65, mean: 23.67 y.) were studied for chronic hepatitis C virus infection and chronic liver disease. Detailed virus serology, ultrasonography, and 6 months follow-up and--in patients with HCV RNA--liver biopsy were made.
Results:
HCV RNA was determined in 165 patients. 70% of them were HCV RNA positive. The ALT level was normal in 95 cases (57%), and lower, than twice of the normal was in 34 cases (20%) among them. Liver biopsy was made in 79 patients; chronic C hepatitis was proven in 75 cases (steatosis in 3 cases, alcoholic liver disease in 1 case was observed). Inflammatory activity was minimal (HAI < 3) in 17, mild (HAI: 3-6) in 41, moderate (HAI: 7-9) in 7, and severe (HAI > 9) in 10 cases. There was no correlation between the serum ALT levels and the severity of the histological activity of chronic C hepatitis. Authors stress the importance of the fact, that 2 patients had normal ALT and 5 patients ALT levels were lower, than the twice of the normal of the 17 patients with significant inflammatory activity (HAI < 6). Chronic C hepatitis need for antiviral therapy was occurred in 45% of patients who known themselves previously healthy.
Conclusions:
The necessity of the systematic examination of anti-HCV seropositive patients and of the importance of the liver biopsy in patients with HCV RNA positivity is stressed. 3 anti-HCV seropositive cases of 174 family members of the blood donors were observed, but none of them was HCV RNA positive. It seems to be, family members of the HCV infected patients have no increased risk for HCV infection.
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