ASSESSMENT OF POSTTRANSFUSION NON-A-HEPATITIS NON-B-HEPATITIS PREVENTION IN FRANCE

Non-A non-B hepatitis represents an important risk in blood transfusion, since more than 10% of the polytransfused patients develop hepatitis in the absence of screening tests. The risk of developing chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis is respectively 50% and 20% in patients with non-A non-B hepatitis, and the possible evolution to hepatocellular carcinoma is demonstrated. Most cases of non-A non-B hepatitis are due to hepatitis C virus, which is now detectable both with antibodies and with PCR. Prospective epidemiologic studies are still needed to precise the efficacy of screening tests to ensure eviction of hepatitis C virus carriers from blood donation.