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A high prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been reported in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. There are, however, doubts regarding the specificity of the first generation anti-HCV antibody assays used. We prospectively investigated HCV status in 47 Sri Lankan patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. A first generation assay (Ortho HCV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) and two second generation tests (Abbott HCV enzyme immunoassay and United Biomedical Incorporated HCV enzyme immunoassay) were used. Positive results were confirmed by the second generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA 2). Of the 47 patients (46 males, mean age 41.7 years), 17 (36.2%) had previously had one or more blood or plasma transfusions. Seven (14.9%) of the samples were positive for anti-HCV antibodies using the Ortho-HCV ELISA, but only one (2.1%) sample was positive when tested with the second generation assays. The positive result was confirmed by RIBA 2. The prevalence of HCV in the patients was low despite many of them being exposed to blood or blood products. Hepatitis C virus, therefore, may not be an important pathogenic factor in alcoholic cirrhosis in Sri Lanka.
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