[Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

BACKGROUND

To know the prevalence of HCV infection in patients diagnosed with B-NHL in our area.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: A group of patients diagnosed with B-NHL between 1998-99 were carefully reviewed (serological tests, HCV RNA, laboratory studies, toxicity, response to treatment and evolution) in a transversal study.

RESULTS

Overall 9/77 (11.68%) of patients tested positive for HCV. Of the 9 patients HCV(+) showed abnormal elevated trans aminases in opposition with 10.3% of patients that tested seronegative.

CONCLUSION

Compared with normal individuals, we have seen a higher prevalence of HCV in our B-NHL patients. It may be possible that HCV play a role in that lymphoma's pathogenesis.