OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C and Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus (HIV) markers among altruistic blood donors. PLACE: Blood bank of a third-level-hospital belonging to the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) system. SUBJECTS: Written records of the blood bank were reviewed, including charts of all risk free potential altruistic donors who between 1994 and 1995 had determination of: Hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis-B core antibodies (anti-HBc), Hepatitis-C antibodies (anti-HCV) and Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus (HIV). RESULTS: Of 78,566 potential blood donors studied 2,187 (2.8%) reacted to one or more markers, 2% were anti-HBc positive, 0.47% anti-HCV positive, 0.16% HBsAg positive and 0.12% anti-HIV positive. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of virus markers examined is equal or lower than reported worldwide as well as in our country in the 90; this reflects improved education and selection of potential donors and encourages the use of subsequent donation.
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence of Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C and Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus (HIV) markers among altruistic blood donors. PLACE: Blood bank of a third-level-hospital belonging to the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) system. SUBJECTS: Written records of the blood bank were reviewed, including charts of all risk free potential altruistic donors who between 1994 and 1995 had determination of: Hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis-B core antibodies (anti-HBc), Hepatitis-C antibodies (anti-HCV) and Human-Immunodeficiency-Virus (HIV). RESULTS: Of 78,566 potential blood donors studied 2,187 (2.8%) reacted to one or more markers, 2% were anti-HBc positive, 0.47% anti-HCV positive, 0.16% HBsAg positive and 0.12% anti-HIV positive. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of virus markers examined is equal or lower than reported worldwide as well as in our country in the 90; this reflects improved education and selection of potential donors and encourages the use of subsequent donation.