Comparison of prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies in differing South American populations

✍ Scribed by Robinson, John W.; Rosas, Marcela; Guzman, Fanny; Patarroyo, Manuel Elkin; Moreno, Alberto

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1996
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 529 KB
• Volume: 50
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0146-6615
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9071(199610)50:2<188::aid-jmv13>3.0.co;2-i

✦ Synopsis

Very little is known about the distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) within South America. To assess the exposure of the general population to this virus, a number of sera obtained from three distinct geographical and racial groups were screened using a combination of immunoassays. Initial screening was undertaken with an inhouse immunoassay (core-ELISA) using synthetic peptides based on the N-terminus of the HCV core protein. Sera which were repeatedly positive by core-ELISA were also assessed using a commercial third-generation assay. The highest prevalence rate (2.3%) was seen in sera taken from the Tumaco region of Colombia. Lower rates were found in sera taken from La T, Ecuador (0.7%) and Las Majadas, Venezuela (0.7%). This indicates significantly different prevalence in different racial and geographical groups within the region.