Screening Blood Donors for Antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus and Surrogate Marker

Abstract

The present study was designed to find out the association of surrogate marker (ALT) and HCV antibody in blood donor population of Lahore. A sera of 186 blood donors were tested for anti—11CV by ELISA (ABBOTT). Out of 186 sera, 8(4.3%) were reactive for 11CV. Risk factors like, HJO blood donation in last six months, showed 5.26% positivity in donors who had donated blood on previous occassions, than in index donation, 37.5% HCV—positive cases gave a past history of hepatitis; 12.5% positive cases gave 11/0 exposure (contact) to other hepatitis patients, while 2.8% of HCV—negative donor also gave 1110 contact, but the number was too small to calculate any significance. In HCV positive donors, Liver function tests, in relation to ALT levels were raised (5/8) about 1 to 2 times above the normal range; and were normal in (3/8); while AST, Alkaine phosphatase and bilirubin levels were within normal range (BOEHRINGER MANNHIEM).