Prevalence of Anti‐Hepatitis C Virus in the Blood Donor Population of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies in 2,557 asymptomatic volunteer Brazilian blood donors is reported. Using the line immunoassay (Inno-LIA) as a confirmatory test on ELISA anti-HCV-positive reacting sera, a prevalence rate of 2.7% for anti-HCV positivity was found. By comparison, prevalences of 1.6% for hepatitis B surface antigen, 0.9% for Treponema pallidum, 0.4% for human immunodeficiency virus and 0.04% for Trypanosoma cruzi were observed. Only 57% of the HCV-positive donors had elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Using previous criteria, based on surrogate markers (ALT > or = 50 IU/l and for anti-hepatitis B core antibody), for HCV infection at that time, only 25% of the HCV-positive donations would have been eliminated. In view of the high prevalence of anti-HCV reactivity among the Brazilian blood donor population and the poor reliability of surrogate markers, it is recommended that routine screening for anti-HCV in Brazilian blood donors is introduced.

Prevalence and risk factors for HBV, HCV and HDV infections among injecting drug users from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…Rio de Janeiro is a region of low endemicity for HBV infection (<2% HBsAg prevalence) (17). The frequency of HBsAg found in this study (7.8%) is comparable with that observed in areas of high endemicity, with more than 8% of HBsAg prevalence, and agrees with results from other studies of IDUs in Santos, SP, Brazil (18), and in other countries (9).…”

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen in blood donors in the middle west region of Brazil

“…The overall prevalence of 2.5% for anti-HCV in this study was similar to those noted by Vanderborght et al (1993) in the city of Rio de Janeiro. We found a low rate (1.9%) of anti-HBc among blood donors anti-HCV positive and Vasconcelos et al (1994) found (2.7%).The importance of anti-HBc as an alternative HCV marker has been questioned following the introduction of sensitive HCV tests for the screening of donors (Barbara 1994, Dodd 1995.…”

“…Vasconcelos et al (1994) reported a significant correlation among anti-HBc positivity and elevated ALT levels. Vanderborght et al (1993) also reported an increasing reactivity for anti-HCV associated with ALT elevation. Concerning the NIH (1995) evaluation, the maintenance of ALT screening did not improve the transfusion safety even during the infection, prior to the appearance of anti-HCV.…”

Hepatitis B infection among patients attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…Rio de Janeiro, a state within Southeast region, has an overall hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence about 2% in general population (Nogueira et al 1990, Vanderborght et al 1993 the virus by sexual route but risk factors for this way has not been properly evaluated. Screening for hepatitis B in sexual transmission diseases (STD) clinics is not considered as routine procedure.…”