Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in haemophiliacs

• DOI: 10.1007/bf00321210
• Publication Date: 2004-10-18T15:49:16Z
• Authors: W. Schramm; M. Roggendorf; F. Rommel; R. Kammerer; H. Pohlmann; R. Ra�hofer; L. G�rtler; F. Deinhardt
• Keywords: Clotting factor; Seroconversion; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis B

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.