Risk factors of hepatitis C virus infection in blood donors in Thailand: a multicenter case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in healthy blood donors in Thailand MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed a case-control study of 435 HCV-seropositive blood donors and 894 HCV-seronegative blood donors as controls. The study was done with direct interview regarding demographic characteristics and risk factors. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: The final multivariable model included only the following independent HCVrisk factors: intravenous drug user (IDU) (OR = 61.5; 95%CI, 26.6-142.5), previous blood or blood products transfusion (OR = 12.3; 95%CI, 7.6 -19.9), sharing of razors (OR = 2.3, 95%CI, 1.6-3.2),unsafe injection (OR = 3.3, 95%CI, 1.8-5.9), unused condom (OR = 1.6; 95%CI, 1.1, 2.4). No risk was shown for a history of tattoo, ear piercing, or acupuncture and multiple sexual partners. CONCLUSION: The risk factors for HCV infection in healthy blood donors in Thailand are IDU, past history of blood transfusion and unsafe injection.

Histologic subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma in the southern Thai population.

Since there has been no report on histologic subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its significance in the Thai population, the present study was conducted to elucidate the situation through appraisal of histologic and laboratory records. A total of 180 archived microscopic slides of HCC in Sonklanagarind Hospital from 1991 to 1998 were of good enough quality with sufficient tissue to be reviewed. The reclassified histologic subtypes were correlated with microscopic features and laboratory data. Of the 180 cases, 147 were males and hepatitis B was the main etiologic factor. The histologic subtypes of HCC were trabecular 63.3%, compact 15.6%, scirrhous 7.8%, pseudoglandular 5%, and fibrolamellar 0.6%. There was no correlation between histologic subtypes and morphological findings, as well as HBV, HCV, and cirrhotic status. A correlation between AFP levels and the AST/ALT ratio was evident.