Safer blood supply for transfusion: Which algorithm should be used to determine occult hepatitis B infection in blood donors?


Berkem R., KARAKOÇ A. E.

Clinical Laboratory, cilt.65, sa.5, ss.725-731, 2019 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 65 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2019
  • Doi Numarası: 10.7754/clin.lab.2018.180920
  • Dergi Adı: Clinical Laboratory
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.725-731
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Hepatitis B virus, safe transfusion, blood donor, occult HBV infection, anti-HBc, NAT
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: Transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B virus continues to be a problem despite its significantly reduced prevalence. In this study, in addition to screening for the presence of HBsAg in donors’ blood, anti-HBc and anti-HBs markers were investigated using the chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) method, and real-time PCR was used to detect HBV DNA. Methods: The study’s material involved serum samples of 4,073 blood donors. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc tests were undertaken using the CLIA method, and HBV DNA’s presence was investigated using the real-time PCR method. Results: HBsAg and anti-HBc tests were negative in 3,331 (81.78%) and positive in 37 (0.90%). For the remaining 705 (17.30%), HBsAg was negative and anti-HBc was positive. According to the results of the anti-HBs test for these samples, HBsAg negativity and anti-HBc and anti-HBs positivity were found in 619 samples (15.19%), while 86 samples (2.11%) were negative for HBsAg and anti-HBs but positive for anti-HBc (isolated anti-HBc positivity). ID-HBV DNA real-time PCR tests were performed on 86 samples. None of the samples was positive for HBV DNA. Conclusions: Recommended tests for screening occult HBV infection include anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and/or HBV DNA. Anti-HBc screening may result in loss of donors and blood products, particularly in countries with moderate endemicity of HBV, such as Turkey.