Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in blood donors in northern Pakistan

ABSTRACT

In order to understand the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus [HCV], 760 blood donations were selected randomly and screened for HBsAg, anti HIV 1 /2 and antibody to HCV [anti-HCV] The prevalence rate of anti HCV in the indigenous population of blood donors from Rawalpindi is 4.8%, which is slightly less than HBsAg positivity [6.5%]. There was no overlapping between the seropositivity of anti-HCV with HBsAg, suggesting different epidemiological factors. In order to prevent transmission of HCV through blood transfusion, it is essential that all donors be screened for anti-HCV