[Prevalence of viral markers for hepatitis B, C and human immunodeficiency virus in volunteer blood donors in Northeast Mexico].

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.