RESUMO
The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis [C] virus [anti-MCV] has been studied using HCV EIA, 2nd generation test in 20 cases of chronic liver disease [CLD], 20 cases of high risk of infection [blood donors and haemodialysis patients] and 10 healthy persons as a control group. All cases were tested for hepatitis [B] virus [HBV] markers as well as tumour markers. Anti-HCV positivity was found in 55% of cases of the CLD group, in 15% of haemodialysis patients and in 10% of the control group. Tumour markers were positive only in 35% of CLD group, who were also positive for anti-HCV. Our study revealed that HCV plays a more important role than HBV in causation of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Blood transfusion and haemodialysis proved their importance in acquisition of HCV infection