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Infection by hepatitis C virus through contaminated intravenous immune globulin: results of a prospective national inquiry in France
Author(s) -
Lefrere J.J.,
Loiseau P.,
MartinotPeignoux M.,
Mariotti M.,
Ravera N.,
Thauvin M.,
Marcellin P.,
Janot C.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1996.36596282581.x
Subject(s) - antibody , hepatitis c virus , medicine , genotype , immunology , hepatitis c , immune system , hepatitis b immune globulin , virus , virology , outbreak , globulin , biology , chronic hepatitis , biochemistry , lamivudine , gene
BACKGROUND: A recent hepatitis C virus (HCV) outbreak has been suspected of being caused by an infusion of intravenous immune globulin. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Three laboratories were mandated by the French regulatory agency to prospectively screen on a national scale those persons having received suspected batches: 233 exposed patients were recalled and tested for HCV antibody and for HCV RNA. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (8.1%) were found positive for HCV RNA; 7 of these 19 were positive for the HCV antibody. CONCLUSION: The link between HCV infection and intravenous immune globulin was reinforced by the overrepresentation of the 2b genotype (58%), which contrasts with the low prevalence of this genotype in France (1%).