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Risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission by anti-HCV-negative blood components in Austria and Germany

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Abstract

In order to estimate the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted HCV infection, we have analyzed data from two transfusion centers in Austria (Vienna) and Germany (G6ttingen) from 1990 to 1995. In Vienna, the seroprevalence (RIBA-confirmed third-generation anti-HCV tests) was 0.28% in first-time donors (FTD) and the incidence of seroconversion in repeat donors (RD) was 0.049 (per 100 person years) from 1994 to 1995. In Göttingen, the prevalence of a PCR-confirmed positive third-generation anti-HCV test was 0.22% in FTDs and the incidence was 0.093 (per 100 person years). A continuous decline of the rate of anti-HCV-positive donations and donors was observed with first- and second-generation anti-HCV tests in the years 1990–1994. The introduction of the third-generation anti-HCV test resulted in increased numbers of anti-HCV positive repeat donors, mainly due to false-positive results. Only 9% of anti-HCV-positive repeat donors were either PCR positive or RIBA positive or indeterminate. Based on a mathematical model which takes (a) the window period, (b) the false-negative rate of anti-HCV tests, and (c) human and operational errors into consideration, we have calculated the residual risk of HCV infection. We used a window period of 74 days, a sensitivity of 98%, and an error rate of 0.1%. The residual risk (for third-generation anti-HCV test-negative blood components) was calculated to be 1:9000 (95% confidence interval 1:16390–1:6210) and 1:4800 (95% confidence interval 1:40000–1:1320) for Vienna and Göttingen, respectively, in 1994 and 1995. Since this conservative approach does not take the impact of ALAT screening into account, the actual risk is probably lower.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Transfusion Medicine, and Department of Microbiology, University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch Strasse 40, D-37075, Göttingen, Germany

    J. Riggert, A. Uy, G. Simson, H. Fabritz & M. Köhler

  2. University Clinic for Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine and Austrian Red Cross Blood Donation Center for Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland, University of Vienna, Wahringer Gürtel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria

    D. W. M. Schwartz, F. Jelinek & W. R. Mayr

Authors
  1. J. Riggert
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  2. D. W. M. Schwartz
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  3. A. Uy
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  4. G. Simson
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  5. F. Jelinek
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  6. H. Fabritz
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  7. W. R. Mayr
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  8. M. Köhler
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Riggert, J., Schwartz, D.W.M., Uy, A. et al. Risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission by anti-HCV-negative blood components in Austria and Germany. Ann Hematol 72, 35–39 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00663014

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00663014

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