Antibodies to hepatitis C virus among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and blood donors in Thailand.

ABSTRACT

HCC is the most cancer among Thai men. It is not known if HCV plays an oncogenic role in HCC in this country where HBV is endemic. Anti-HCV and HBsAg were assayed in 154 sera from HCC and 3,387 voluntary blood donors. The prevalence of anti-HCV in HCC (8.4%) was significantly higher than blood donors (1.38%). The prevalence of HBsAg in HCC (61%) was also significantly higher than blood donors (5.28%). The prevalence of anti-HCV in HCC was lower than that of Spain, Italy, Africa and Taiwan. Anti-HCV was found associated with a small portion of patients with HCC while HBV was found closely associated with the larger proportion of HCC. HCV in normal Thais was as common as those in southern Europe and HCV was found associated with HCC. However, HBV remains the major etiological factor of HCC in Thailand.