Abstract
BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) was among the first virus known to be transmitted by blood and blood productions. The objective of this study is to determine the trend of hepatitis B virus in blood donors.Materials and methodsIn this study 79274 blood donors were retrospectively evaluated for HBsAg. The donors were selected using personal questionnaire, physical examination and testing blood before donation. Blood banks records are used as source of information. The blood donors samples were analyzed for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by commercial available kits ELISA method, third generation (from Abbott laboratory, Germany). A sample was considered as HBsAg positive when found twice repeatedly reactive. Reactive samples were not confirmed with addition tests.ResultsIn the evaluation data, we found out that from 79274 of the total healthy blood donors, 15983 were voluntary donors, 52876 were family replacement donors and 10424 commercial blood donors. The prevalence of HBsAg in blood donors was 7.9%. It was increased steadily from 5.9% in 1999 to 9.1% in 2006 and decreased in 7.9% in 2009. According to blood donors status the HBsAg prevalence was 10.5% in commercial blood donors, 8.1% in voluntary donors and 8.6% in family replacement donors. The prevalence of anti-HBc in blood donors was 59.1%.ConclusionThe prevalence of HBsAg was lower in voluntary non remunerate blood donors than commercial donors and family replacement blood donors. In FDs the prevalence was higher than VDs but lower than CDs. So, it is important to encourage the voluntary blood donors to become regularly blood donors.
Highlights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was among the first virus known to be transmitted by blood and blood productions
HBV infection from transfusions became rare after the introduction of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test in early 1970, but remains one of the most common serious complications of transfusion in countries with high and intermediate prevalence of HBV [1,2,3,4]
The residual transmission risk of HBV through transfusion is higher [5,6,7,8]. This is attributed to the interval between initial HBV infection and the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), resulting in a long window phase during which the virus is transmissible [9,10]
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was among the first virus known to be transmitted by blood and blood productions. HBV infection from transfusions became rare after the introduction of the HBsAg test in early 1970, but remains one of the most common serious complications of transfusion in countries with high and intermediate prevalence of HBV [1,2,3,4]. The residual transmission risk of HBV through transfusion is higher [5,6,7,8]. This is attributed to the interval between initial HBV infection and the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), resulting in a long window phase during which the virus is transmissible [9,10]. After the implementation of HBsAg screening in the 1975s, there have been no further measures in Albania to decrease
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