ABSTRACT
A total of 14,366 one-time blood donors were examined; 984 (6.8%) donors of them were found to have anti-HBc. All anti-HBc-positive samples were tested for HBsAg, IgM anti-HBc, HBeAg, anti-HBe, and specific DNA-HBV by polymerase chain reaction (sensitivity 400 coplml or higher). Anti-HBc in combinations with HBsAg, anti-HBe, IgM anti-HBc was detected in 29 (2.9%), 3 (0.3%), 5 (0.5%) donors, respectively. Specific HBV DNA was identified in 29 donors with HBs-antigenemia and in 9 anti-HBc positive donors in the absence of serum HBsAg. The activity of AIAt was correlated with neither HBsAg nor HBV DNA. Thus, latent HBV infection is 0.9% of anti-HBc-positive one-time blood donors and tests for anti-HBc may be useful in identifying persons who need a more meticulous study for HBV DNA.
Subject(s)
Blood Donors , Carrier State/diagnosis , Hepatitis B/diagnosis , Alanine Transaminase/blood , Carrier State/blood , DNA, Viral/blood , DNA, Viral/genetics , Hepatitis B/blood , Hepatitis B/prevention & control , Hepatitis B Antibodies/blood , Hepatitis B Core Antigens/immunology , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/immunology , Hepatitis B virus/isolation & purification , Hepatitis B virus/physiology , Humans , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic , Ukraine/epidemiology , Urban Population , Virus LatencyABSTRACT
The frequency of HBsAg detection by these two methods is similar, but only half of positive results is confirmed by both methods. This discrepancy appears to be explained by inadequate technology of the reagent preparation or by impossibility to rule out false-positive results. Combinations of highly sensitive methods for HBsAg indication are recommended for clinical diagnosis of hepatitis B.
