Hepatitis C virus RNA in serum of blood donors with or without elevated transaminase levels
The pattern of hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia in blood donors who are positive for antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) according to the level of transaminase activity is unclear. A polymerase chain reaction-based HCV RNA detection method was used to study two clearly defined groups of anti-HCV-positive bloo...
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Published in | Transfusion (Philadelphia, Pa.) Vol. 33; no. 8; p. 629 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
01.08.1993
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get more information |
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Summary: | The pattern of hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia in blood donors who are positive for antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) according to the level of transaminase activity is unclear. A polymerase chain reaction-based HCV RNA detection method was used to study two clearly defined groups of anti-HCV-positive blood donors with repeatedly normal (n = 27) and elevated (n = 17) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. HCV RNA was detected in only 4 of 27 blood donors with normal ALT values and 15 of 17 with elevated ALT values. These results indicate that anti-HCV-positive blood donors with normal ALT levels constitute a heterogeneous group, as HCV viremia is detectable in only a small proportion of cases. Polymerase chain reaction should be useful in the surveillance of anti-HCV-positive blood donors with normal ALT levels, by identifying those who might benefit from further investigation and treatment. |
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ISSN: | 0041-1132 |
DOI: | 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1993.33893342742.x |