Hepatitis C virus RNA and antibodies among blood donors in Beijing

J Hepatol. 1994 Oct;21(4):634-40. doi: 10.1016/s0168-8278(94)80112-6.

Abstract

Blood units from voluntary as well as commercial donors in Beijing, China, were tested for hepatitis C virus RNA and antibodies, and for serological markers of hepatitis B virus infection. HCV RNA was detected less frequently in 1909 voluntary donors (5 (0.3%)), than in 1017 commercial donors (58 (5.7%)) (p < 0.001). Antibody to hepatitis C virus was detected by the second-generation enzyme immunoassay in 55 (87%) of 63 blood units with viremia. Evidence of present or past infection with hepatitis B virus was common both in voluntary (43.9%) and commercial (46.4%) donors. There were eight (13%) sera with HCV-RNA in which hepatitis C virus antibodies were not detectable by second-generation enzyme immunoassay. Of 63 HCV-RNA samples from donors, 33 (52%) were of genotype II, 18 (29%) of III and one (2%) of II + III. HCV-RNA in the remaining 11 (17%) were not classifiable into any of the genotypes I, II, III, IV and V. Genotype II was more frequent in viremic donors with elevated alanine aminotransferase levels (13/18 or 72%) than in those with normal levels (20/45 or 44%). These results indicate a low prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in the general population in Beijing, and the limitations of identifying sera with viremia by second-generation enzyme immunoassay.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Donors*
  • China / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification*
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis C / transmission
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Viral / blood*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Hepatitis Antibodies
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral