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[Detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in blood donors]
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody prevalence was assessed in Russian blood donors. Standard liver enzyme and bilirubin tests are insufficient for detecting HCV, highlighting the need for direct anti-HCV screening in blood donations.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Public Health
Context:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a significant public health risk.
- Blood donation screening is crucial for preventing HCV transmission.
- Prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies varies among different donor populations.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in two distinct donor groups.
- To evaluate the efficacy of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin levels as indirect markers for HCV infection in donors.
- To assess the relationship between donor demographics, including age and residency, and anti-HCV prevalence.
Summary:
- Blood sera from 6157 young male donors (Russia/CIS) and 1810 diverse donors (Moscow) were tested for anti-HCV, ALT, and bilirubin.
- Anti-HCV prevalence was 1.4% in group 1 and 2.5% in group 2, increasing with age.
- Elevated ALT and bilirubin levels were not reliable indicators of anti-HCV presence, with no overlap observed.
Impact:
- The findings underscore the necessity of direct anti-HCV antibody screening in blood donations.
- Standard liver function tests (ALT, bilirubin) are inadequate substitutes for specific HCV screening.
- This study contributes to optimizing blood safety protocols and preventing transfusion-transmitted HCV infections.
Abstract:
The study was aimed at assessment of prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among donors. Blood sera were tested for anti-HCV, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and bilirubin in two groups of donors. Group 1 were men belonging to organized collective bodies, mean age 20 years, permanent residents of Russia and CIS countries (n = 6157), group 2 were donors of both sexes, mean age 37, 70% men and 30% women, residents of Moscow (n = 1810). Incidence of anti-HCV in group 1 was 1.4%, in group 2 2.5%. ALT levels were elevated vs. the norm by 2.2% in group 2 but in only 4 of these subjects anti-HCV were detected. Bilirubin level was increased in 0.28% of group 1 subjects and in 2.8% of group 2 ones, none of these examinees having anti-HCV. The share of anti-HCV carriers increases with age. Screening for ALT and bilirubin cannot be a substitute for donor blood testing for anti-HCV.