[Prevalence of anti-HBc and anti-HBs in HBsAg negative blood donors in Tehran]

ABSTRACT

Current serological screening tests for blood-borne hepatitis viruses has reduced the risk of post-transfusion hepatitis dramatically. Occult hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection might allow the release of viremic units into the blood supply if blood is tested only for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]. Screening for anti-HBc has been shown as an alternative for detection of HBV infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HBV infection markers in HBsAg negative blood donors. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 2000 HBsAg negative samples were collected from blood centers in Tehran. All HBsAg negative samples were tested for anti-HBc using ELISA method. Then, all HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive samples were tested for anti-HBs by the same method. All data were analyzed statistically using Chi-square test. Results One hundred ninety nine [9.95%] out of the 2000 HBsAg negative blood donors were anti-HBc positive [confidence interval of 7.66%-12.24%]. Out of the 199 anti-HBc-positive samples tested for anti-HBs, 149 [75%] were anti-HBs-positive [confidence interval of 65.5%-85.5%], and 102 [50.3%] had an antibody titer greater than 100 IU/ml. Conclusions In our study, the prevalence rate of anti-HBc in HBsAg negative blood donors was high. While anti-HBc-positive blood may be a potential source of HBV transmission, routine application of anti-HBc screening is not feasible in our country as it would seriously affect the blood supply adequacy. Therefore, more sensitive techniques such as minipool PCR testing after virus enrichment are essential for detecting HBV DNA in HBsAg-negative chronic HBV carriers