RATE OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-ANTIBODY FINDINGS IN DIFFERENT AGE-GROUPS OF THE POPULATION IN THE NORTH-WEST UKRAINE

Examinations for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-C100-3) were carried out in 1143 human subjects, residents of the town of Sumy, Ukraine (681 blood donors, 176 school children, 286 subjects hospitalized for abortions and for treatment of acute traumas). Anti-HCV were determined by enzyme immunoassay using a commercial test system ''Abbott'' of the first generation, with confirmation of the positive findings by neutralization test. Anti-HCV were found in 2.3 % free-giving blood donors and in 1.2% carreer donors, and in 0.8 % of schoolchildren aged from 6 to 14 years. In older age groups anti-HCV findings were more frequent (in subjects of 40-49 years 4.0 %, 50-59 years 5.26 %, 60 years and over 6.25 %).