Hepatitis C virus antibodies in asymptomatic chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen.

UNLABELLED: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the prevalence, incidence and clinical significance of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in HBsAg chronic carriers. The evaluation of stored sera was combined with the follow up of a cohort of cases observed in a referral-based university hospital. A total of 183 HBsAg asymptomatic chronic carriers were identified during routine screening and followed for a mean period of 3.8 years. Stored sera and sera obtained during follow-up were tested for anti-HCV using ELISA. Second-generation RIBA (Ortho) was used as a possible confirmatory test. Demographic data and risk factors were assessed using a standard questionnaire. The prevalence of HCV infection in HBsAg chronic carriers was 2.7% (95% Cl: 1.2%-63%), higher in males than females (3.1% vs 1.8%, p = 0.52) and also higher than that found in voluntary blood donors from the same region. Only 3 out of 5 ELISA-positive cases were RIBA-positive. Patients positive for both types of virus more frequently admitted drug abusers. The presence of anti-HCV was not significantly related to the histological severity. During follow-up no new cases of infection were found.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of HCV infection in asymptomatic chronic carriers is higher than in blood donors but lower than previously reported for other populations of chronic hepatitis B cases. HCV infection was not found responsible for the frequency or the type of lesions observed in these HBsAg chronic carriers.