Resumen

VEGA R, Inés et al. Hepatitis C virus in a group of hematological and oncohematological patients. Rev. méd. Chile [online]. 2001, vol.129, n.1, pp.18-22. ISSN 0034-9887.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0034-98872001000100003.

Background: Little information is available in Chile about hepatitis C virus (HCV) in hematological and oncohematological patients. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus markers in a group of hematological and oncohematological pediatric patients seen at Valdivia Regional Hospital. Patients and methods: Antibodies against virus C, determined by ELISA and viral RNA, determined using RT-polymerase chain reaction, were measured in 54 blood samples from children with hematological diseases (34 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, 4 with Hodgkin Diseases, 4 with Haemolytic Anemia, 5 with Sarcomas, 2 with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, 2 with Thrombocytopenic Purpura, 1 with an Ependimoma, one with a Wilms Tumor and 1 with a Von Willebrand Disease). Results: All samples were negative for antibodies against hepatitis C virus. Viral RNA was found in four children, all with a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and who received chemotherapy and multiple transfusions. Conclusions: The prevalence of Viral RNA for hepatitis C virus in oncohematological patients in our study is high and associated with the use of chemotherapy and multiple transfusions (Rev Méd Chile 2001; 129: 18-22)

Palabras clave : Hematologic diseases; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C antibodies; Polymerase chain reaction.