[Knowledge about hepatitis B and C viruses and HIV among blood donors in Casablanca]

A survey was conducted in the Casablanca Regional Blood Transfusion Centre from to May 2002. A questionnaire was given to 1750 blood donors from different groups of society February to assess the knowledge of the public about hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency viruses. The responses indicated that the mechanism of HIV transmission was well known to the public: 85% gave correct answers. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses were less well understood: 60% and 54% gave correct answers respectively. Our study suggests that the public needs to be better informed about hepatitis B and C virus transmission

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in diabetic patients

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection primarily causes liver disease but also various extrahepatic manifestations. The association of chronic HCV infection and diabetes mellitus has been recently reported. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of HCV infection in diabetes patients. This study included 100 diabetic patients and 300 group control patients consulting in various diagnostic centers. Serum samples were tested for anti-hepatitis C virus antibody [HCV Ab], total HBc antibody and for hepatitis B antigen [HBs Ag]. Anti HCV were detected in 6 diabetic patients and 2 controls [6% vs 0.67%, p=0.001]. And 5/6 HCV Ab positives patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus. HBs Ag and anti HBc were detected respectively in 1% and 49% in diabetic patients. Our study shows an increasing seroprevalence of HCV Ab in diabetic patients that allows us to define them as a group at risk for viral hepatitis C