ANTIBODIES AGAINST HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN TRANSFUSED PATIENTS WITH HAEMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS

The titer of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies (Ab) was assayed in 55 transfused patients with haematological disorders using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technique, and the effects of screening test of HCV Ab in blood donors of Red Cross Blood Center on post transfusion hepatitis (PTH) was evaluated. Seropositive conversion was found in 5 out of 55 (27.3%) transfused overall patients, and in 13 out of 38 (34.2%) patients before screening test was introduced and in 2 out of 17 (11.8%) patients after. The occurrence rare of PTH was 32.3% in patients with blood transfusion before screening test was introduced and reduced to 21.3% after. Titration of HCV Ab in γ-globulin products were also assayed. All 6 products made from the plasma before screening test was introduced had high titration, HCV Ab was negative in 2 products made from the plasma after. Although these data indicated the screening test of HCV Ab of blood donors was effective to reduce the occurrence of PTH, more sensitive assay systems were needed to reduce the occurrence of PTH completely.