Abstract
BackgroundThe high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among the Chinese population poses a threat to blood safety; however, few studies have examined epidemiological data regarding HBV infection of Chinese blood donors. The present study investigated the demographic characteristics of blood donors at the Anhui blood center in China, the prevalence, incidence, and residual risk (RR) associated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) expression in terms of transfusion transmitted HBV (TTHBV) infections.MethodsThe demographic characteristics and HBV status of people who donated blood at the Anhui blood center between 2009 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of HBV was estimated through HBsAg yield approach. The window period model was then used to estimate the RR of TTHBV infection.ResultsThe typical donor at the Anhui blood center was a first-time volunteer, aged less than 25 years, unmarried, of Han ethnicity, and with an education below high school level. The prevalence of HBV infection among repeat donors, first-time donors, and all donors was 28.9, 127.2 and 82.1 per 100,000, respectively. The incidence estimate was 333.9 per 105 person-years. Using an infectious window period of 59 days, the RR for HBV was estimated to be 1 in 1853 between 2009 and 2011.ConclusionsThe incidence and RR of HBV in Chinese blood donors are much higher than those of donors in developed countries. This is because sensitive ELISAs and nucleic acid tests are not available in China. Further work is needed to improve both the safety and availability of blood products in China.
Highlights
Over the past 30 years, the risk of transfusion transmiitted hepatitis B virus (HBV) (TTHBV) has been markedly reduced by the development of increasingly sensitive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) tests, the adoption of antibody against hepatitis B core antigen screening by some countries, the use of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAT), and improved screening of volunteer donors [1,2,3]
transmitted HBV (TTHBV) infection via blood donated by HBsAg-negative donors is a risk when the blood is collected during the window period (WP) or at the late stage of infection
The HBsAgpositive rate in the general population fell to 7.2% by 2006 [8,9], suggesting that vaccinating against HBV plays an important role in reducing HBV transmission
Summary
Over the past 30 years, the risk of transfusion transmiitted HBV (TTHBV) has been markedly reduced by the development of increasingly sensitive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) tests, the adoption of antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) screening by some countries, the use of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAT), and improved screening of volunteer donors [1,2,3]. TTHBV infection via blood donated by HBsAg-negative donors is a risk when the blood is collected during the window period (WP) or at the late stage of infection This is a particular problem in countries with a high prevalence of HBV [6,7]that do not routinely use NAT; NAT can reduce the WP and identify occult HBV infections (OBI) [4,6]. The present study investigated the demographic characteristics of blood donors at the Anhui blood center in China, the prevalence, incidence, and residual risk (RR) associated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) expression in terms of transfusion transmitted HBV (TTHBV) infections. Conclusions: The incidence and RR of HBV in Chinese blood donors are much higher than those of donors in developed countries This is because sensitive ELISAs and nucleic acid tests are not available in China. Further work is needed to improve both the safety and availability of blood products in China
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
