[European Acute Transfusion Hepatitis Interferon Study (EATHIS)].

Since 1989, a prospective, multicentric and collaborative study, named European Acute Transfusion Hepatitis Interferon Study (EATHIS), involving 16 blood centres in France is coordinated by a task force in collaboration with the Viral Hepatitis and Recipients working groups of the French National Society of Blood Transfusion. A phase of recipient screening may be completed by a therapeutic interferon protocol. Among 1,476 transfused recipients receiving an average of 4.4 blood components, 1,011 were followed up at least four months. The incidence of non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis (PTH) was varying from 0.1 to 6% at the different locations. Out of 15 hepatitis cases, 10 were diagnosed as post-transfusional. These preliminary data indicate a reduced incidence of PTH, with a mean of 1% for the period 1989-1991. It emphasises the importance of a transfusion vigilance program including follow up and testing for transaminases and specific viral markers.