Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in the general population and in selected groups of patients in Limoges, France.

In this study of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalence in France, the prevalence of antibodies to HCV (as tested by second generation ELISA, with RIBA-2 confirmation in ELISA 2 positive samples) was found to be low (0.3%) in the healthy general population. HCV infection prevalence increased in the general population in association with African or Asian origin and risk factors such as bisexuality, previous history of transfusion, and intravenous drug abuse. The prevalence of anti-HCV infection was also higher in specific patient groups infected with HIV or a history of transfusion or haemodialysis.