BEDEUTUNG DER HCV-INFEKTION FUR DIE POSTTRANSFUSIONELLE HEPATITIS

Five years ago the hepatitis C virus has been first characterized, and diagnostic tools have been developed to demonstrate acute or chronic infection. At least six different genotypes have been identified. After a primary HCV infection reinfection with other genotypes seems to be possible. The serological tests currently available cannot differentiate between acute, past or chronic hepatitis C. Blood donors which show a reactive result by ELISA should be retested by a confirmatory assay and PCR for the demonstration of viral RNA to exclude or demonstrate persistence of HCV. Systematic screening of blood units for antibodies to HCV reduced the posttransfusion hepatitis up to 95%. However, there is still a risk for acquiring posttransfusion hepatitis C which is actually calculated to be 1:20,000 up to 1:50,000.