LONG-TERM FOLLOW UP STUDY OF VOLUNTEER BLOOD DONORS WITH POSITIVE HEPATITIS C VIRUS ANTIBODIES IN SUEZ GENERAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Chronic HCV is an indolent disease extending over many years. The patient with chronic HCV may be completely asymptomatic, and diagnosis is made only at the time of blood donation or a routine biochemical screen. Such patients may have prolonged periods of normal transminases although chronic hepatitis is confirmed histologically. One handred and fifth volunteer blood donors who were anti-HCV positive on routine screening were included. All were apparently healthy and accidentally discovered during blood donation at Suez General hospital. Age ranging between ( 18 and 45 ) years ( mean : 33 .8 ), of 105 subjects 85 were male and 20 females.

All subject were followed up for 6 months. Also same number blood donors who were negative for both HCV-Ab and HBsAg were selected as control group comparison of risk factors and frequency of symptoms. The following were done for both subjects and controls, history and risk factors and physical examination for the study subjects the following was done physical examination monthly, lab investigation including ALT ( AST and P.T. were measured monthly for 6 months, GGT was measured 4 times at 0,2,4 and end of 6 month, serum bilirubin, serum albumin and total serum protein were measured twice at 1st and 6 th month. Serology for HCV-Ab was done, for quality control the first 25 subjects and every fifth subjects there after. Ultrasonography was done twice, at first and last visits of 6 months follow up.