PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST HEPATITIS-C VIRUS IN NORWEGIANS WITH CONGENITAL COAGULATION-FACTOR DEFECTS TREATED WITH PLASMA PRODUCTS FROM SMALL POOLS

The prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) in sera from 266 Norwegians with coagulation factor defects of different types and degrees of severity was assessed by an enzyme immunoassay. The overall prevalence was 41 %, the highest rates being found in persons with severe hemophilia A (64 %) or B (67 %). These prevalence rates are below those found in hemophiliacs in most other countries in the Western hemisphere. This may be due to the strategy for coagulation factor substitution used and a favorable epidemiological situation. © 1990 Friedr. Vieweg & Sohn Verlagsgesellschaft mbH.