Low prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies in chronic liver disease in Finland. |
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Authors: | P Pohjanpelto M Tallgren M F?rkkil? T Miettinen H Nuutinen M Vuoristo P Hein?l? T M?kel? |
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Affiliation: | Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Finland. |
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Abstract: | High prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV) have been found in the Middle- and Southern European countries in connection with chronic liver diseases. In a study of Finnish chronic liver disease patients no anti-HCV antibodies were found in 22 autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, in 5 chronic persistent hepatitis and in 38 alcoholic liver disease patients. 2/30 primary biliary cirrhosis patients were anti-HCV positive. As a comparison 3/9 patients with acute community acquired non-A non-B hepatitis and 28/48 i.v. drug addicts had anti-HCV antibodies. The results indicate that HCV infections in Finnish chronic hepatitis patients are rare. |
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