Prevalence and risk factors of Occult Hepatitis C infections in blood donors from Mexico City.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The circulatory system is the main mechanism for transmission of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). A new class of HCV infections, Occult HCV infection (OCI), is defined as the presence of HCV-RNA in hepatocytes with the absence of HCV in the serum/plasma utilizing current laboratory assays. Different groups have reported the prevalence of OCI; however, its associated risk factors have not been established. In Mexico, there are no reports about OCI, so the objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of OCI in total blood donors in Mexico City, as well as its associated risk factors.

Methods

Blood donors that were considered eligible for donation, according to NOM 253-SSA1-2012, were randomly selected. Demographic data was collected from 1,037 donors. Plasma a

SUBMITTER: Martinez-Rodriguez ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6195272 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature