Comportamiento de la Hepatitis C en donantes de sangre

a prospective study of the habitual blood donors from the municipal blood banks of 10 de octubre and guanabacoa municipalities during 1999 was conducted. 50 patients with positive hepatitis c antigen were found. these patients were referred to our hospital, where complete medical histories were taken. they underwent hepatic function test, ultrasound, laparoscopy with biopsy and they were treated with interferon. it was observed that 100 % were asymptomatic. 30 % showed a mild increase of tgp. 80 % presented hepatomegaly detectable in the ultrasound. on performing the histopathology, 72 % had chronic hepatitis. 60 % of the sample received treatment with interferon alpha and their response to hepatitis c virus antigen was negative. however, they continue evolving to chronicity.