Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in haemophiliacs |
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Authors: | W Schramm M Roggendorf F Rommel R Kammerer H Pohlmann R Rasshofer L Gürtler F Deinhardt |
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Affiliation: | Department of Haemostaseology, University Clinic Innenstadt, University of Munich, München, Federal Republic of Germany. |
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Abstract: | The prevalence of 1) hepatitis C virus (HCV), an agent likely to be responsible for parenterally transmitted hepatitis non-A, non-B, 2) hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 3) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was studied in 211 patients with clotting disorders (78% of the patients had residual factor activities of less than or equal to 2%). Of these patients 71% were positive for HBV markers and 44% for HIV markers. Using a new ELISA technique, 80% were anti-HCV-positive. The prevalence of anti-HCV was greater in patients with more severe clotting disorders and was related to the total amount of replacement therapy received; the prevalence was less in older patients. Seroconversion after a single exposure to dry heat-treated factor concentrates was documented in 3 patients 3-4 months after exposure. |
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