[Screening of Danish blood donors for hepatitis C virus antibodies]

In Denmark only 1-3 cases of transfusion-associated hepatitis NANB (TAH-NANB) are registered annually or about 1 case per 100,000 units transfused. Thus, the prevalence of blood donors with hepatitis NANB infection is estimated to be very low and measures to prevent TAH-NANB such as surrogate testing have not been considered to be worth while. The incidence of TAH-NANB, however, may be underestimated if cases are overlooked or not identified as transfusion-associated or if registration fails. The appearance of the anti-HCV test (Ortho) has clearly provided a more sensitive and specific tool for identifying blood donors, who may transmit hepatitis NANB. In the present study, we have determined the prevalence of anti-HCV in random Danish blood donors from 1989 (fresh serum samples) and 1982 (frozen serum samples). All donors were tested for ALT and anti-HBc. A prevalence of 0.3% anti-HCV positive blood donors was found in 1989 (2/600) as well as in 1982 (2/595). Thus, no change in the prevalence of HCV infected donors seems to have occurred in Denmark during these years. The anti-HCV prevalence of 0.3% in random blood donors is low but not negligible, and if the majority of the reactive donors identified are true positives, the epidemiologic pressure as to HCV infection probably equalizes the pressure as to HBV infection (0.1-0.2%) in people attending our blood banks to become donors. In a group of donors positive for surrogate markers (ALT greater than 40 U/l and/or anti-HBc) we found only 0.9% (2/225) anti-HCV positives.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)