RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Collect and analyze information regarding seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in a population of 722 patients that visited the Regional Viral Reference Laboratory (Maracaibo, Venezuela) during the years 2000-2003. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An immunoenzymatic test INNOTEST HCV Ab IV of Innogenetics was used to evaluate the presence of IgG type antibodies against the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in the serum of the patients studied. Results obtained with respect to seroprevalence and other epidemiological variables, were organized and analyzed using SPSS 10.0 (Chicago, USA) and Origin Pro 7.5 (Northampton, USA) software. RESULTS: A seroprevalence of 2.63% (19,322) was found, higher than that reported in Venezuela for the general population (0.9%) and other groups. The infection was more frequent in men than in women. The most common symptoms in the infected patients were jaundice and cephalalgia (31.58%). CONCLUSION: The data reported shall update previous research in the zone and indicates the need to develop epidemiological control for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in the State of Zulia.