Antibody to hepatitis C virus after a vapour-heated factor VIIi concentrate. the Study Group of the Fondazione dell'Emofilia
Mannucci, P.M.; Zanetti, A.R.; Colombo, M.; Chistolini, A.; De Biasi, R.; Musso, R.; Tamponi, G.
Thrombosis and Haemostasis 64(2): 232-234
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0340-6245 PMID: 2176748 Document Number: 350949
To evaluate whether or not clotting factor concentrates exposed to virucidal procedures transmitted hepatitis C, sera obtained in 1984-1986 from 27 previously untreated hemophiliacs infused with a vapour-heated factor VIII concentrate were tested retrospectively for the antibody to the hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). A 2-year-old hemophiliac, negative for anti-HCV before administration of concentrate, seroconverted at week 12 and remained anti-HCV positive thereafter. Both his parents were anti-HCV negative and he had no other household contact. The patient had also become HBsAg positive at week 8 and had at the same time a marked elevation of alanine aminotransferase. His double infection with the hepatitis B and C viruses indicates that hot vapour was not completely effective in inactivating these viruses.