Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in Italian blood donors

G. Sirchia, D. Almini, A. Bellobuono, A. M. Giovanetti, M. Marconi, F. Mercuriali, F. Mozzi, A. Parravicini, M. Pizzi, F. Zanuso, Cooperative Group Italian Cooperative Group

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

11,117 blood donors from 24 blood transfusion services evenly distributed throughout the various Italian regions were tested for the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies in the serum and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. The results are as follows: (1) anti-HCV seroprevalence in Italy was 0.87% with a difference between Northern and Southern regions (0.68 vs. 1.37%) and between younger and older subjects (0.62 vs. 1.21%); (2) prevalence of elevated ALT levels was 4.74% without a North-South effect (except than for markedly elevated ALT levels); (3) anti-HCV seroprevalence was higher in subjects with elevated ALT (5.0%), with a North-South effect (2.2 vs. 9.9%) and particularly high (19.2%) in subjects with markedly elevated ALT; (4) ALT levels were elevated in 26.2% of anti-HCV positive subjects, with a North-South effect (14 vs. 40.5%).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)26-29
Number of pages4
JournalVox Sanguinis
Volume59
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology

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    Sirchia, G., Almini, D., Bellobuono, A., Giovanetti, A. M., Marconi, M., Mercuriali, F., Mozzi, F., Parravicini, A., Pizzi, M., Zanuso, F., & Italian Cooperative Group, C. G. (1990). Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in Italian blood donors. Vox Sanguinis, 59(1), 26-29.