[Seroepidemiological considerations of the incidence of viral hepatitis C in some population groups]

In the interval 1985-1994, in the Iaşi district, the reported cases of viral hepatitis (VH) have recorded annual morbidity rates ranging between 67/100,000 inhabitants in 1993 and 373/100,000 in 1990. VH attributed to HAV and HBV has represented, with yearly differences, 62% to 94% of all cases. Posttransfusion viral hepatitis (PTVH) has determined a morbidity of 0.51/100,000 inhabitants in 1986 and 8.34/100,000 in 1994. PTVH without AgHBs ranged from 16.3% in 1993 to 94.0% in 1987, as compared to 6.0% in 1987 and 1988 and 75.0% in 1985 for PTVH with AgHBs. In the interval under study 70.9% of the PTVH cases were most likely determined by HCV and 28.9% by HBV (AgHBs+). From all PTVH cases, 64.0% were from urban areas, 59.3% were females, 92.5% belonged to over 20 years age groups, and 31.3% were industrial workers, the remainder belonging to other 5 occupational groups. In 241 patients (18.2%) admitted for liver disorders, posttransfusion hepatitis included, AcHCV was present in 39.4%, of which 45.2% belonged to the age groups 20-60 years. The results of some investigations carried out on 4471 blood donors (72.4% males, 85.4% aged between 21 ad 50 years, 86.4% from urban areas, 62.1% workers in industry and building) are presented. Out of these, 217 (4.9%) presented to hepatitis C virus (AcHCV). Occupational distribution of AcHCV possessors shows that 44.2% are workers in the heavy industry, 14.8% in the light industry and 12.9% unemployed. Sera were tested by Monolisa New Antigens, and those with AcHCV were reassessed with Monolisa, Murex anti HCV, ORTO-HCV 3.0 and confirmed by Immunoblot DECISCAN, with 5 antigens.