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The significance of transfusion in the past as a risk for current hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection: a study in endoscopy patients
Author(s) -
Tawk Hani M.,
Vickery Karen,
Bisset Linda,
Lo Sing Kai,
Cossart Yvonne E.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2005.04317.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatitis c virus , blood transfusion , hepatitis c , odds ratio , risk factor , hepatitis b , hepatitis , transmission (telecommunications) , immunology , virus , electrical engineering , engineering
BACKGROUND: The objective was to determine the contribution of transfusion in the past to the risk of current infection with hepatitis B or C among patients attending a large hospital for endoscopic procedures. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood samples had been tested for hepatitis markers by routine methods. Patients completed a comprehensive risk factor questionnaire and results were analyzed using computer software. RESULTS: Twenty‐seven percent of the 2120 participants in the study received transfusions in the past. There was no increase in prevalence of hepatitis B among those transfused. Compared with nontransfused participants, recipients of blood before the implementation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening in 1990 had a 4.6‐fold increased risk of HCV infection, whereas those transfused with screened blood had a 3‐fold increased risk. The difference between the odds ratios for patients before and after screening was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Because screening has almost completely eliminated HCV from the blood supply, our finding of a continuing association of HCV infection with transfusion was unexpected. It implies that there are significant other nosocomial risks for hepatitis C transmission associated with the clinical situations where patients received blood. These should be actively investigated.