Blood donation screening for hepatitis B virus core antibodies: The importance of confirmatory testing and initial implication for rare blood donor groups.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Exclusion of blood donors with hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antibodies (anti-HBc) prevents transfusion-transmitted HBV infection but can lead to significant donor loss. As isolated anti-HBc positivity does not always indicate true past HBV infection, we have investigated the effectiveness of confirmatory anti-HBc testing and the representation of rare blood groups in anti-HBc-positive donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred ninety-seven HBV surface antigen-negative and anti-HBc initially reactive blood donor samples were tested by five different anti-HBc assays. RESULTS: Eighty percentage of samples reactive in Architect anti-HBc assay were positive by the Murex assay and anti-HBc neutralization. Eleven out of 397 samples showed discordant results in supplementary testing from the Murex confirmatory test result, and five remained undetermined following extensive serological testing. Thirty-eight percentage of anti-HBc-positive donors identified as minority ethnic groups compared with 11% representation in anti-HBc-negative donors (p < 0.0001); the frequency of the Ro blood group in anti-HBc-positive donors was 18 times higher in non-white ethnic groups. CONCLUSION: Using two anti-HBc assays effectively enabled the identification of HBV-exposed and potentially infectious donors, their deferral and potential clinical follow-up. However, the exclusion of confirmed anti-HBc-positive donors will still impact the supply of rare blood such as Ro.

Blood donors with HBV core anti-body: a follow-up study / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To evaluate the role of anti-HBc detection in current blood screening strategy by the follow-up of repeated donors with antibody to hepatitis B virus core antigen. 【Methods】 Plasma samples were collected randomly from Dalian Blood Center. to test anti-HBc(dual reagents) and anti-HBs via ELISA. The re-donation of eligible donors who were anti-HBc+ and donors reactive to HBV detection were followed up. 【Results】 A total of 1 291 plasma samples were collected randomly from May 2017 to March 2018, among which 405 samples(31.4%)were anti-HBc+. The median age of anti-HBc+ group was observed much higher than that of anti-HBc-group (39 vs 31 years old) (P0.05). Among the 405 anti-HBc+ donors, 3 donors were OBI (0.7%), of which one was screened out in second donation. No HBV DNA was detected out in 3 OBI cases. 【Conclusion】 Although anti-HBc detection is not suitable in blood screening currently, it is of great value in the assessment of blood donor re-entry for HBV reactive donors in blood screening due to the high anti-HBc prevalence among blood donors.

Analysis of the re-entry status of voluntary blood donors with single reagent reactivity in Hohhot / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To statistically analyze the re-entry test and blood re-donation of HBV, HCV, TP and HIV single-reagent reactive blood donors in Hohhot from 2019 to 2021, so as to demonstrate the rationality, feasibility and necessity of the re-entry strategy of voluntary blood donors in Hohhot, and provide theoretical support for further standardizing of the reentry of blood donors. 【Methods】 A total of 225 samples of blood donors who applied for re-entry in Hohhot from 2019 to 2021 were collected, and HBV, HCV and HIV were tested by two reagent serological tests and nucleic acid tests. TP anti-TP was detected by two reagent serological methods. The test results were all non-reactive and met the requirements of re-entry. The blood donation status of blood donors after re-entry was followed up and analyzed. 【Results】 Among the 225 cases detected for HBV, HCV, TP and HIV from 2019 to 2021 in Hohhot, 178 were qualified for the returning, with a re-entry rate of 79.11%, and 75 donated blood again, with a after re-entry re-donation rate of 42.13%. 【Conclusion】 The strategy of returning for HBV, HCV, TP and HIV single reagent reactive blood donors in Hohhot is effective, and has positive significance for safeguarding the rights and interests of blood donors and alleviating regional blood supply shortages.

Following up and re-entry of HBV reactive blood donors in Yantai area / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To analyze the preliminary screening and follow-up testing data of HBV in Yantai area, and discuss the rationality of following up and re-entry program of HBV reactive blood donors. 【Methods】 Donors who were single reagent reactive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in initial screening but non-reactive by nucleic acid testing (NAT) were followed up. Individual NAT(ID-NAT) was performed for HBV DNA, ELISA for HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAb, HBeAg and HBcAb, and ECLIA for the detection of HBsAg. 【Results】 A total of 547 blood donors were HBsAg ELISA-/NAT+, and 97 were followed up, among which 24 met the requirements of re-entry while 73 did not. Of the 24 blood donors who met the re-entry requirements, 13 donated blood again, with test results all qualified. 【Conclusion】 The combination of ELISA, ID-NAT, and ECLIA methods for following up detection for HBsAg ELISA+ blood donors is recommended. Blood donors with HbsAb S/CO ≥ 10 and negative results for other tests met the re-entry requirements, with a re-entry rate at 24.74%, and the re-donation qualified rate of blood donors after re-entry was 100%.

[Study on Reentry Evaluation Mode for Blood Donors Used to be HBV Reactive in Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of reentry in HBV reactive blood donors and feasibility of HBV reentry strategy. METHODS: HBsAg+ or HBV DNA+ donors who had been quarantined for more than 6 months in Jiangsu Province could propose for reentry application. Blood samples were routinely screened by dual-ELISA for HBsAg, anti-HCV, HIV Ab/Ag, and anti- Treponema pallidum and those non-reactive ones were tested by minipool nucleic acid testing (NAT) for three times. To identify occult HBV donors, samples of NAT non-reactive were further tested by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) for HBV seromarkers (including HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, and HBcAb). Donors of only 4 ECLIA patterns were accepted to reentry, including all 5 HBV seromarkers negative, anti-HBs only but having history of hepatitis B vaccine injection, HBcAb only, HBsAb+ / HBcAb+ with HBsAb more than 200 IU/L. Additionally, the detection rate of HBV infection was compared between routine screening mode and ECLIA, as well as the reentry qualified rate of HBsAg+ and HBV DNA+ blood donors. RESULTS: From Oct. 2016 to Aug. 2019, a total of 737 HBV reactive donors had applied for reentry, including 667 HBsAg+ reactive and 70 HBV DNA+ reactive donors. Among 3 screening methods, the highest HBV detection rate (43.15%, 318/737) was observed on ECLIA, while only 4.75% (35/737) on ELISA and 3.12% (23/737) on NAT, respectively. Among 4 qualified patterns of HBV serological markers, the highest proportion was found in the all negative group (22.90%, 155/677), followed by the group with HBsAb+ only and history of hepatitis B vaccine injection (19.35%, 131/677), and the median concentration of HBsAb was 237.7 IU/L. The unqualified rate of HBV DNA+ donors was 82.86%, which was significantly higher than 47.98% of HBsAg+ donors. CONCLUSION: Routine screening tests merely based on ELISA and NAT could miss occult HBV donors and may not be sufficient for blood safety. HBsAb concentration and vaccine injection history should be included in the evaluation of HBV reactive donors who intend to apply for reentry. There is a relatively larger residual risk of occult HBV infection in blood donors quarantined for HBV DNA reactive.

Analysis of influencing factors on re-entry of HBV DNA reactive blood donors / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To explore the factors affecting NAT reactive blood donors re-entry, so as to provide data support for formulation of scientific and reasonable strategy. 【Methods】 The basic data and laboratory test results of 174 NAT reactive returning blood donors from January 2019 to August 2021 were collected and statistically analyzed by logistic regression. 【Results】 Among 174 HBV DNA reactive blood donors applying for re-entry, 81 (46.6%) were eligible for re-entry. Blood donation type and deconstructed Ct value were independent influencing factors of blood donors’ re-entry (P0.05). No significant difference was observed in Ct values of deconstruction test, first re-entry test and second re-entry test (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 In view of the low re-entry rate of NAT reactive blood donors, it is necessary to establish a set of safety criteria to lessen workloads. Donors with exceeding minipool-Ct-values, repeat reactive by two NAT reagents, failure in the first re-entry test are suggested to be deferred permanently.

Study on Reentry Evaluation Mode for Blood Donors Used to be HBV Reactive in Jiangsu Province / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the risk of reentry in HBV reactive blood donors and feasibility of HBV reentry strategy.@*METHODS@#HBsAg+ or HBV DNA+ donors who had been quarantined for more than 6 months in Jiangsu Province could propose for reentry application. Blood samples were routinely screened by dual-ELISA for HBsAg, anti-HCV, HIV Ab/Ag, and anti- Treponema pallidum and those non-reactive ones were tested by minipool nucleic acid testing (NAT) for three times. To identify occult HBV donors, samples of NAT non-reactive were further tested by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) for HBV seromarkers (including HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, and HBcAb). Donors of only 4 ECLIA patterns were accepted to reentry, including all 5 HBV seromarkers negative, anti-HBs only but having history of hepatitis B vaccine injection, HBcAb only, HBsAb+ / HBcAb+ with HBsAb more than 200 IU/L. Additionally, the detection rate of HBV infection was compared between routine screening mode and ECLIA, as well as the reentry qualified rate of HBsAg+ and HBV DNA+ blood donors.@*RESULTS@#From Oct. 2016 to Aug. 2019, a total of 737 HBV reactive donors had applied for reentry, including 667 HBsAg+ reactive and 70 HBV DNA+ reactive donors. Among 3 screening methods, the highest HBV detection rate (43.15%, 318/737) was observed on ECLIA, while only 4.75% (35/737) on ELISA and 3.12% (23/737) on NAT, respectively. Among 4 qualified patterns of HBV serological markers, the highest proportion was found in the all negative group (22.90%, 155/677), followed by the group with HBsAb+ only and history of hepatitis B vaccine injection (19.35%, 131/677), and the median concentration of HBsAb was 237.7 IU/L. The unqualified rate of HBV DNA+ donors was 82.86%, which was significantly higher than 47.98% of HBsAg+ donors.@*CONCLUSION@#Routine screening tests merely based on ELISA and NAT could miss occult HBV donors and may not be sufficient for blood safety. HBsAb concentration and vaccine injection history should be included in the evaluation of HBV reactive donors who intend to apply for reentry. There is a relatively larger residual risk of occult HBV infection in blood donors quarantined for HBV DNA reactive.

Comparison of Two Test Strategies for Clarification of Reactive Results for Anti-HBc in Blood Donors.

OBJECTIVE: Testing for antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was introduced to detect blood donors suffering from occult hepatitis B infection. Confirmation of specification of reactive results in the anti-HBc screening assay is still a challenge for blood donation services. METHODS: Two different test strategies for confirmation of specification of reactive anti-HBc tests, one performed in our institute and one suggested by the German authority (Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI)), were compared. The first strategy is based on one supplemental anti-HBc test, the other requires two supplemental anti-HBc tests. RESULTS: 389 samples from 242 donors were considered. Both test strategies yielded concordant results in 117 reactive samples termed 'true-positive' or 'specificity confirmed', in 156 reactive samples termed 'false-positive' or 'specificity not confirmed', and in 99 negative samples. In 17 samples obtained from 11 donors, both test strategies gave discrepant results ('false-positive' but 'specificity confirmed'). In 10 of 11 donors, a real HBV infection was very unlikely, one remained unclear. 30 donors considered 'false-positive' became negative in all anti-HBc tests after follow-up testing and thus eligible for donor re-entry. CONCLUSIONS: The test strategy suggested by the PEI yielded no additional information but induced an overestimation of HBV infections and unnecessary look-back procedures. Many anti-HBc-reactive donors can be regained after follow-up testing.