| Abstract: | 6,744 persons were examined for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) before blood donation (4,219 persons in Moscow and 2,525 persons in St. Petersburg). The serum samples found to contain antibodies to HCV were additionally studied by the immunoblot techniques. The positive results of antibody screening were registered in 78 persons: 26 persons in Moscow (0.62%) and 52 in St. Petersburg (2.05%). In both cities the positive results of screening were confirmed in 62% of cases. Different occurrence of the profile with the presence of antibodies to all fragments of the virus: 52% in Moscow, 12% in St. Petersburg (chi2 = 12.11; p < 0.001). Considerable differences were also registered in the spread of individual antibodies. |
