Transfusion Hepatitis Arising From Addict Blood Donors

Abstract

A number of narcotics addicts and suspected addicts sold blood at a local proprietary blood bank. The state Department of Health determined the effect of this source on the incidence of hepatitis in the recipients. A control group of recipients was studied for comparison. Although the incidence of hepatitis was not higher than expected in the recipients of this bank's blood, it was much higher than in the control group, and higher yet when related to addict and suspected-addict donations. The narcotics addict seems to be a significant source of homologous serum hepatitis.