[Hepatitis C virus infection in blood bank donors at the Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia (1998 - 2002)].

Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is the main cause for chronic hepatic disease around the world. Nowadays, there are highly sensitive and specialized tests such as third generation ELISA, used to detect anti-HCV antibodies and to prevent its transmission. Since 1998, this test has been applied to blood donors in our hospital.