[Hepatitis C serology: prevalence study in postmortem poblation]

to assess infection HCV prevalence in corpses where judicial necropsy was ordered by court, in Barcelona city. To compare results with those actually known in epidemiology and public health services.

retrospective, observational analitic study carried out in the department laboratory of Medico Legal Institute, in Catalunya (Spain). The sample was proceeding from 169 corpses where HCV analysis was solicitated by the forensic doctors, during 2004.

analytical procedure followed was enzimoinmune essay to detect HIV antibodies, using AsXym analyzer (Abbott). Variables included were sex , age and cause of death. Cause of dead was divided in two groups: natural death and drugs relationated death. Results of the analysis were classified as HCV + and HCV- according to laboratory test specifications.

HCV prevalence was 10,8% in natural deaths group and 60% in drug relationated death group.

HCV prevalence described is higher than reported in published studies, specially regarding to natural deaths group. Nowadays virus affecting to asymptomatic people is considered. Periodic HCV prevalence studies in general poblation must be carried out to provide dades to epidemiology and health public services.