Document 0821
 DOCN  M9460821
 TI    [Anti-HCV in patients without risk factors for hepatitis C. Prospective
       study in 200 patients]
 DT    9404
 AU    Albornoz A; Esaa R; Rodriguez de Leon L; Mujica C; Servicio de
       Gastroenterologia, Hospital Carlos J. Bello, Cruz; Roja Venezolana,
       Caracas.
 SO    G E N. 1993 Jul-Sep;47(3):136-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94156140
 AB    Using a second generation enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) for the detection
       of antibodies against Hepatitis C virus (HCV), we investigated the
       frequency of antibodies anti-HCV and the Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
       plasma levels of 200 patients without history of viral hepatitis, liver
       diseases, blood transfusions, intravenous drugs abuse, homosexuality,
       hemodialysis, infection by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis
       B virus (HBV), nor workers of health services. There plasma samples
       (1.5%), were positives for antibodies anti-HCV, all of these samples
       were confirmed by RIBA (Recombinant Immunoblot Assay). In these three
       patients, the ALT plasma level were more than two folds the normal upper
       limit, another six patients had high ALT levels but less than one fold
       the normal upper limit. None of the infected patients had any clues that
       suggested the possible way of infection in the clinic history. We
       concluded that the incidence of Hepatitis C in the studied patients is
       1.5% and that the ALT levels could be used to identify Hepatitis C
       infection.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Aged  Alanine Aminotransferase/BLOOD  Comparative
       Study  English Abstract  Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay  Female
       Hepatitis Antibodies/*BLOOD  Hepatitis C/BLOOD/IMMUNOLOGY  Hepatitis C
       Viruses/*IMMUNOLOGY  Human  Male  Middle Age  Prospective Studies
       JOURNAL ARTICLE

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