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[Hepatitis C virus in plasmapheresis donors]
G J Padrón1, Z Rodríguez, L Rivera
1Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common in plasmapheresis donors. This study found a link between HCV antibodies and liver damage, highlighting transmission risks within donation centers.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Hepatology
- Public Health
Context:
- High prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection noted in plasmapheresis donors globally and in Cuba.
- Plasmapheresis units represent a potential environment for HCV transmission.
- Understanding the relationship between laboratory markers and infectious status is crucial.
Purpose:
- To investigate the correlation between anti-HCV antibodies and liver injury in plasmapheresis donors.
- To identify potential routes of HCV infection within this specific population.
- To assess factors associated with anti-HCV positivity, including demographics and donation history.
Summary:
- A study involving 61 plasmapheresis donors revealed a 48.3% HCV infection prevalence.
- A direct correlation was established between anti-HCV antibodies and liver damage (alanine aminotransferase levels).
- HCV positivity was significantly associated with the duration of plasma donation, not age, sex, or race.
Impact:
- The findings underscore the risk of nosocomial HCV transmission in plasmapheresis settings.
- Highlights the importance of stringent infection control measures in blood donation centers.
- Emphasizes the need for early detection and management of HCV in high-risk donor populations.
Unlabelled:
The high prevalence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among plasmapheresis donors has been reported in several countries and Cuba. We have studied the possible relationship between the laboratory results and the real infectious state of the anti-HCV positive individuals, as well as the possible routes of infection in this population.
Materials And Methods:
Retrospective data were analyzed and a prospective monthly serologic (anti-HCV) and biochemical (alanine aminotransferase) follow-up was established to 61 regular plasmapheresis donors, negative to hepatitis B markers, of a unit, which showed a prevalence of 48.3% of infection among these donors.
Results And Conclusion:
A direct correlation between the presence of antibodies to HCV and liver injury was found. No significant connection was observed between age, sex, race or sensitizing material with the positivity to anti-HCV, but it was significant with the time in plasma donation. Our results denote the risk of transmission of the HCV infection in the plasmapheresis units, pointing out the importance of the nosocomial route of infection.