Seroprevalence of anti-HCV among HIV-infected persons and general population.

Abstract

From November 1993 to December 1994, the seroprevalence of anti-HCV, HBsAg was studied among 346 HIV-infected persons (asymptomatic HIV-infected persons and AIDS patients) and 1,023 subjects from the general population (including 119 cord blood samples). The prevalence of anti-HCV, HBsAg among HIV-infected patients aged 15-45+ years was 11.0 and 11.6 per cent respectively which is significantly higher than the comparable levels for the general population (1.9% and 4.7%) in the age group 15-44 years. There was no statistically significant association of anti-HCV and HBsAg prevalence among 200 asymptomatic HIV-infected carriers and 146 AIDS patients. Assays for anti-HCV among blood donors are highly recommended to reduce the development of liver disease or cirrhosis in the immediate future.