[Hepatitis C virus in plasmapheresis donors].

Unlabelled: The high prevalence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among plasmapheresis donors has been reported in several countries and Cuba. We have studied the possible relationship between the laboratory results and the real infectious state of the anti-HCV positive individuals, as well as the possible routes of infection in this population.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective data were analyzed and a prospective monthly serologic (anti-HCV) and biochemical (alanine aminotransferase) follow-up was established to 61 regular plasmapheresis donors, negative to hepatitis B markers, of a unit, which showed a prevalence of 48.3% of infection among these donors.

Results And Conclusion: A direct correlation between the presence of antibodies to HCV and liver injury was found. No significant connection was observed between age, sex, race or sensitizing material with the positivity to anti-HCV, but it was significant with the time in plasma donation. Our results denote the risk of transmission of the HCV infection in the plasmapheresis units, pointing out the importance of the nosocomial route of infection.