Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus in Norwegians with congenital coagulation factor defects treated with plasma products from small pools

Abstract

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.