Virus Infection In Blood Donors Research Articles

PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS IN BLOOD DONORS AT DA NANG HOSPITAL C IN 2014

Objectives: Study on prevalence of hepatitis B virus in blood donors at Hospital C Danang to determine the percentage of HBsAg-positive in blood donors and identify some risk factors related to hepatitis B virus infection in blood donors. Material and methods: Samples of blood of donors were HBsAg testing by ELISA, the research conducted by descriptive cross-sectional design. The results and conclusions are as follows: Results: HBsAg positive rate was 10.6% (35/330), which accounted for 14.7% males and 7.5% females. HBsAg positive rate high percentage of first-time blood donor group (15.2%), very low proportion of repeat blood donor group (0.9%). Conclusion: HBsAg positive is according to the risk factors for hepatitis B virus transmission associated with surgery, acupuncture, tattooing, infusion, injection, dental treatment, skin sewing and manicure, not associated with history of blood transfusion and endoscopy. Key words: HBsAg, blood donors, HBV.

Molecular virological characteristics of occult hepatitis B virus infection in blood donors in Shenzhen from 2010 to 2012

Objective To investigate the molecular virological characteristics of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) in Shenzhen. Methods A total of 310 167 blood samples were collected from donors between April 2010 and December 2012 in Shenzhen Blood Center. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-/HBV DNA+ samples were screened. HBV DNA was quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). S region was tested by nested PCR. Molecular virological characteristics of OBI samples were further analyzed. Genotyping was conducted by MEGA software to construct the phylogenetic tree by neighbor-joint. Results Among 121 HBsAg-/HBV DNA+ samples, 99 samples were identified as OBI. Genotyping was conducted in 69 samples, with 57 of genotype B and 12 of genotype C. F134I/L mutation in 12 samples in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of amino acids was the most frequent mutation in B genotype strains, and there was no obvious amino acid mutation in C genotype strains. In other S fragment sequences, 10 of the B genotype OBI stains had P105R, 10 had Q101R/H/K, 9 had G102I, V177A and 9 had S39N amino acid replacements. While 10 of the C genotype OBI strains had S53L amino acid substitution. Conclusions Mutation, insertion and termination of amino acids in S protein may influence HBV replication and protein expression, which is related with the emergence and development of OBI. Key words: Hepatitis B virus; Occult infection; Blood donors; Genotype; Molecular virological characterization

Current testing strategies for hepatitis C virus infection in blood donors and the way forward

Screening tests for blood donations are based upon sensitivity, cost-effectiveness and their suitability for high-throughput testing. Enzyme immunoassay (EIAs) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies were the initial screening tests introduced. The "first generation" antibody EIAs detected seroconversion after unduly long infectious window period. Improved HCV antibody assays still had an infectious window period around 66 d. HCV core antigen EIAs shortened the window period considerably, but high costs did not lead to widespread acceptance. A fourth-generation HCV antigen and antibody assay (combination EIA) is more convenient as two infectious markers of HCV are detected in the same assay. Molecular testing for HCV-RNA utilizing nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT) is the most sensitive assay and shortens the window period to only 4 d. Implementation of NAT in many developed countries around the world has resulted in dramatic reductions in transfusion transmissible HCV and relative risk is now < 1 per million donations. However, HCV serology still continues to be retained as some donations are serology positive but NAT negative. In resource constrained countries HCV screening is highly variable, depending upon infrastructure, trained manpower and financial resource. Rapid tests which do not require instrumentation and are simple to perform are used in many small and remotely located blood centres. The sensitivity as compared to EIAs is less and wherever feasible HCV antibody EIAs are most frequently used screening assays. Efforts have been made to implement combined antigen-antibody assays and even NAT in some of these countries.

Frequency of dengue virus infection in blood donors in Sistan and Baluchestan province in Iran

Risk of dengue virus in the blood supply has been demonstrated in recent studies. In this paper, Chabahar in Sistan and Baluchestan province, south east of Iran, was selected for studying dengue infection because of its climatic and geographical situation in the middle of the transit way between East Asia and other countries. The blood samples were taken from volunteer healthy donors who were referred to the Chabahar Blood Center for blood donation. The presence of dengue virus (DENV) was studied by detecting IgG to DENV by enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). Reactive ELISA results were confirmed by an immune flouorescence assay (IFA). According to the results, some of the healthy donors were infected by DENV, which could not been recognized in donor selection. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the criteria of donor selection and additional screening tests are recommended.

Hepatitis B and C Viruses incidence, the Risk Factors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, is low in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia

Aim: Risks of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following hepatitis B (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are well known. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B and C virus infections in blood donors at Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia Methods: The study was conducted on random blood samples collected from healthy blood donor volunteers, who were referred to Blood Transfusion Centers found at Aseer region, during the period March 2012 to February 2013. All the collected blood units were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBc, HCV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1 and 2, human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) I/II, venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) and malaria. All donated blood were checked for HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA and HIV-RNA by nucleic acid test (NAT) technology. Results: Of 7267 (26 (0.36%) females and 7241 (99.64) males) blood donors screened, with median age of 28 (female) and 30 years (males), 71 (0.98%) were HBsAg positive of them 66 (0.91) were positive to HBV-DNA, 449 (6.18%) were anti-HBc positive of them 78 (1.07%) were positive to HBV-DNA. Cases positive to both HBsAg and HBc-Ab were 69 (0.95%) all of them were positive to HBV-DNA. There were 5 (0.069%) cases positive for HCV, none of them showed mixed infection with HVB. All positive cases for HBsAg, HBc-Ab and HCV were shown to be among male volunteers. Conclusion: Prevalence of HCV in Asser region is very low. In the time that HBsAg is low, prevalence of HBcAb is relatively moderate. Expected incidence of heptatocellular carcinoma due to infection with HCV is much lower than HBV.

West Nile virus infection in blood donors in the New York City area during the 2010 seasonal epidemic

A uniform threshold strategy for converting from minipool (MP)-nucleic acid testing (NAT) to individual donation (ID)-NAT screening for acute West Nile virus (WNV) infection among blood donors is lacking. We report on WNV screening at the New York Blood Center during the 2010 seasonal WNV epidemic, the most severe epidemic in that state since the original outbreak in 1999. Between July 1 and October 31, 2010, blood donations were screened by MP-NAT or ID-NAT and the presence of anti-WNV immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG was evaluated among NAT-positive donations. Twenty presumed viremic donations were identified for a frequency of 0.0129% (1 in 7752 donations). Nine donations that could have been missed by MP-NAT were identified. Two of these donations were both IgM and IgG negative, one of which would have been missed if more than one positive donation was required for initiating ID-NAT. Retrospective ID-NAT revealed two positive donations. The majority of the NAT-positive donations in New York (16/19) were from donors who lived in counties that had the highest incidence of human WNV cases in the state. Our data details the identification of WNV NAT-positive blood donations during a severe seasonal epidemic in the New York area. By initiating ID-NAT after one positive donation, using retrospective testing, and triggering ID-NAT regionally, we were able to prevent the release of presumably infectious donations. The detection of NAT-positive donations with retrospective testing, however, may indicate the need for changes in our trigger criteria.

Genotyping and mutational analysis of occult hepatitis B virus infection in blood donors of Shaoxing

To assess the molecular biological characteristics of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected blood donors in Shaoxing. 8692 blood donors were screened using ELISA. The occult HBV infection was determined by DNA analysis among the HBsAg negative subjects. DNA sequencing and mutational analysis were further performed in the HBV DNA positive samples. The overall situation of occult HBV infection was hereby evaluated and the possible underlying mechanisms discussed. Among the 8644 HBsAg negative subjects out of 8692 blood donors, 8 were HBV DNA positive. The occult HBV infection rate was 0.92 per thousand (8/8692). Among the 8 samples, 6 were genotype C (75%) and 2 genotype B (25%). In addition, a specific mutation in "a" epitope was observed in 7 OBI virus strains by amino acid analysis. There were occult HBV infected among blood donors in Shaoxing, which is probably associated with the gene mutation of HBV virus.

The prevalence of SEN virus infection in blood donors and chronic hepatitis B and C patients in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province

SEN virus (SEN-V) is a blood-borne, circular, nonenveloped and single-stranded DNA virus. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated 9 different genotypes for this virus. SEN-V could be related to post-transfusion hepatitis and infections with this virus in blood donors and hepatitis patients differ markedly by geographic region. The purpose of present study was to determine the prevalence of H and D genotypes of SEN-V (SENV-H and SENV-D) infection in blood donors and patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) for the first time in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province located in southwest Iran. SEN-V DNA was analyzed in 240 serum samples of the patients with chronic HBV and HCV (172 HBV and 68 HCV) and 60 non-professional blood donors from the blood transfusion organization, hospital and clinical and pathological laboratories in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province. SEN-V DNA was amplified by specific primers for SENV-H and SENV-D genotypes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method after extraction of DNA from sera and PCR products were visualized in a 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. SENV-H genotype was found to be positive in 54/172 (31.39%), 23/68 (33.82%), and 8/60 (13.33%) and SENV-D genotype was detected in 48/172 (27.91%), 27/68 (39.7%), and 6/60 (10%) of patients with chronic HBV, HCV and healthy blood donors, respectively. These results showed that high prevalence of SEN-V infection in patients with chronic HBV and HCV compared healthy blood donors in Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province using T test statistical analysis (P<0.05). According to these findings examination of serum samples for control and prevention of SEN-V infection in hepatitis patients and healthy blood donors seems to be necessary .

Hepatitis C virus infection in blood donors from the state of Puebla, Mexico

BackgroundWorldwide, 130 million persons are estimated to be infected with HCV. Puebla is the Mexican state with the highest mortality due to hepatic cirrhosis. Therefore, it is imperative to obtain epidemiological data on HCV infection in asymptomatic people of this region. The objective of present study was to analyze the prevalence of antibodies and genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in blood donors from Puebla, Mexico.ResultsThe overall prevalence was 0.84% (515/61553). Distribution by region was: North, 0.86% (54/6270); Southeast, 1.04% (75/7197); Southwest, 0.93% (36/3852); and Central, 0.79% (350/44234). Ninety-six donors were enrolled for detection and genotyping of virus, from which 37 (38.5%) were HCV-RNA positive. Detected subtypes were: 1a (40.5%), 1b (27.0%), mixed 1a/1b (18.9%), undetermined genotype 1 (5.4%), 2a (2.7%), 2b (2.7%), and mixed 1a/2a (2.7%). All recovered donors with S/CO > 39 were HCV-RNA positive (11/11) and presented elevated ALT; in donors with S/CO < 39 HCV-RNA, positivity was of 30.4%; and 70% had normal values of ALT. The main risk factors associated with HCV infection were blood transfusion and surgery.ConclusionsHCV prevalence of donors in Puebla is similar to other Mexican states. The most prevalent genotype is 1, of which subtype 1a is the most frequent.

Exposed or not exposed—that is the question: evidence for resolving and abortive hepatitis C virus infections in blood donors

Exposed or not exposed—that is the question: evidence for resolving and abortive hepatitis C virus infections in blood donors

The prevalence of SEN virus infection in blood donors in Iran.

SEN virus is a blood-borne, single-stranded, nonenveloped DNA virus. Two of its strains (D and H), appear to be associated with non-A-to-E hepatitis more frequently than the others, although it is not clear whether this observation has any significance. The prevalence of SEN virus in otherwise healthy individuals, including blood donors, differs markedly by geographic region. In this study, an investigation to evaluate the prevalence of SEN virus strains among blood donors in Tehran was carried out. Sera of 260 blood donors who were negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and third-generation hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) were tested for SEN virus-D and -H DNA. DNA was extracted from plasma of 260 blood donors and amplified by semi- nested polymerase chain reaction. SEN virus-D viremia was detected in four (1.5%) of the 260 blood donors (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.0 - 3%). SEN virus-H viremia was detected in 47 (18.08%) of the 260 blood donors (95% CI, 13.4 - 22.8%). Both SEN virus-D and SEN virus-H viremia were detected in nine (3.4%) of the 260 blood donors (95% CI, 1.2 - 5.7%). SEN virus-D or SEN virus-H viremia was identified in 60 (23.08%) of the 260 blood donors (95% CI, 18.08 - 28.08%). Out of the 260 blood donors, 60 (23%) were infected by SEN virus-D/H. The prevalence of SEN virus-H is more than SEN virus-D. Our results also showed that the high prevalence of SEN virus in healthy blood donors with no history of blood transfusion may attribute to the transmission modes other than parenteral transmission.

Preliminary data for genotype distribution and epidemiological aspects of hepatitis C virus infection in blood donors from Yucatan, Mexico

Preliminary data for genotype distribution and epidemiological aspects of hepatitis C virus infection in blood donors from Yucatan, Mexico

The prevalence of SEN virus infection in blood donors in Taiwan

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of SENV infections among blood donors in central Taiwan and to clarify the relationship between these infections and elevated alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) values. MethodsDNA was extracted from plasma of 200 blood donors and amplified by seminested PCR. ResultsFor all donors, the prevalence of SENV-D was 32%, and of SENV-H was 30.5%. Prevalence of mixed SENV-D/H infection was 11.5% and of SENV-D and/or SENV-H (SENV-D/H) was 51%. Infections were not associated with age, gender, or raised ALT values. ConclusionsSENV-D and SENV-H infections are common among blood donors in central Taiwan but are unlikely to contribute to abnormal ALT values.

Molecular and serological evaluation of surface antigen negative hepatitis B virus infection in blood donors from Venezuela.

Surface antigen negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was evaluated in Venezuela, by molecular characterization of blood samples positive for antibodies to core antigen (anti-HBc) and negative for surface antigen (HBsAg) in blood donors (residual infections). HBV DNA was found in 11/258 samples (4.3%), and was significantly associated with high levels of anti-HBc antibodies (>25 UI/ml, P < 0.05), while no correlation was found between the presence of HBV DNA and the levels of anti-HBs. Synonymous and non-synonymous mutations were found in the HBV surface region (but not vaccine escape mutants) and in the precore/core region (precore mutants in 2/7 samples and 33-45 bp deletions near the N-terminal core region in 4/19 samples). While HBV genotype F prevails among HBsAg positive samples from blood donors in Venezuela, residual infection isolates were mainly genotypes A and D. Phylogenetic analysis of viral surface and core region revealed discrepancies in genotype designation in 6/9 samples, suggesting the presence of mixed infection or recombination. In conclusion, HBV residual infection in Venezuela does not seem to be frequently observed in HBV genotype F. This type of infection is frequently associated with variants exhibiting mutations in the surface gene that might be affecting the correct recognition by commercial tests, with precore mutants and with core internal deletions. These variants do not seem to cause severe liver disease, and on the contrary, were found circulating at low viremia.

Prevalence of TT virus infection in blood donors with elevated ALT in the absence of known hepatitis markers.

Recently a novel DNA virus (TT virus) has been identified in Japan and shown to be associated with elevated aminotransferase levels after blood transfusion. The exact role of TTV in the pathogenesis of liver disease is yet to be established. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and role of TTV in the pathogenesis of elevated transaminases in healthy blood donors in the absence of markers for viral hepatitis A-C. Stored sera were collected from 99 healthy blood donors with elevated alanine amino transferase (ALT) values that were discovered at the time of blood donation. A total of 146 samples were obtained from healthy donors with normal ALT values who were used as controls. None of the patients or controls had a history of blood transfusion or had clinical signs of acute or chronic hepatitis. Serological markers for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C viruses were negative. TTV DNA was amplified and detected using polymerase chain reaction followed by gel electrophoresis. Five of 99 (5%) samples obtained from donors with elevated ALT had TTV DNA detected by PCR, as compared to one of 146 (0.7%) of those with normal ALT (p = 0.006). Among those with elevated ALT, mean ALT values in patients with TTV (296 +/- 305 U/L) were higher than in patients without TTV (95 +/- 37 U/L), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). The two samples with highest ALT values (both >450 U/L) were among the five samples with detectable TTV DNA in serum. Although TTV is not likely to explain the majority of elevated ALT cases in otherwise healthy blood donors, TTV infection may potentially be associated with some cases. Based on these findings, we propose that the role of TTV in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic liver diseases merits further investigation.

Prevalence of TT virus infection in blood donors with elevated ALT in the absence of known hepatitis markers

OBJECTIVE: Recently a novel DNA virus (TT virus) has been identified in Japan and shown to be associated with elevated aminotransferase levels after blood transfusion. The exact role of TTV in the pathogenesis of liver disease is yet to be established. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and role of TTV in the pathogenesis of elevated transaminases in healthy blood donors in the absence of markers for viral hepatitis A-C. METHODS: Stored sera were collected from 99 healthy blood donors with elevated alanine amino transferase (ALT) values that were discovered at the time of blood donation. A total of 146 samples were obtained from healthy donors with normal ALT values who were used as controls. None of the patients or controls had a history of blood transfusion or had clinical signs of acute or chronic hepatitis. Serological markers for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C viruses were negative. TTV DNA was amplified and detected using polymerase chain reaction followed by gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Five of 99 (5%) samples obtained from donors with elevated ALT had TTV DNA detected by PCR, as compared to one of 146 (0.7%) of those with normal ALT ( p = 0.006). Among those with elevated ALT, mean ALT values in patients with TTV (296 ± 305 U/L) were higher than in patients without TTV (95 ± 37 U/L), but the difference was not statistically significant ( p = 0.08). The two samples with highest ALT values (both >450 U/L) were among the five samples with detectable TTV DNA in serum. CONCLUSIONS: Although TTV is not likely to explain the majority of elevated ALT cases in otherwise healthy blood donors, TTV infection may potentially be associated with some cases. Based on these findings, we propose that the role of TTV in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic liver diseases merits further investigation.

Clinical significance of TT virus infection in patients with chronic liver disease and volunteer blood donors in Egypt

Clinical significance of TT virus (TTV) infection was investigated in Egyptian patients with chronic liver disease and volunteer blood donors by a cross sectional analysis. TTV DNA in serum was assessed by a semi-nested polymerase chain reaction. The prevalence of TTV DNA did not differ among patients with chronic hepatitis B (11/24, 46%), chronic hepatitis C (22/72, 31%), or schistosomal liver disease (14/39, 36%). No difference in prevalence was found between blood donors (32/109, 29%) and each of the patient groups. Clinical background including mean age, sex distribution, history of blood transfusion, and mean level of alanine aminotransferase did not differ between TTV DNA-positive and -negative individuals in any of the study groups. Ultrasonographic evidence of liver cirrhosis was similar between TTV-positive and -negative patients in each of the chronic liver disease groups. TTV infection was not associated with hepatitis B or C virus infection in blood donors. The only significant difference observed was the lower concentration of serum HCV RNA in TTV DNA positive compared with negative patients with chronic hepatitis C (3.0 +/- 1.4 vs. 4.0 +/- 0.9 log copies/ml, P <. 001). In conclusion, TTV infection was not associated with either past history of blood exposure or infection with bloodborne hepatitis viruses in Egypt. No clinical significance of TTV was found in the present study. However, a reciprocal interaction was suggested between TTV and HCV replication.

Risk factors for acquisition of hepatitis C virus infection in blood donors: Results of a case-control study

Background & Aims: Few studies have explored risk factors predicting hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in blood donors; their results are contradictory. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between HCV infection and various risk factors in Canadian volunteer blood donors. Methods: Four transfusion centers were involved in this case-control study. A total of 267 confirmed anti–HCV-positive blood donors were interviewed along with 1068 seronegative blood donors matched for sex, age, donation site, and date. Information was collected using a structured telephone interview. The main outcome measures were odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for various risk factors from univariate and multivariate analyses using conditional logistic regression. Results: By univariate analysis, 23 variables were associated with anti-HCV positivity. In the final multivariate analysis, only 5 factors remained independently predictive of HCV infection: previous intravenous drug use (OR, 127.5; 95% CI, 26.0–625.0), having lived in a prison or juvenile detention center (56.1; 11.4–275.7), previous blood transfusion (10.5; 4.7–23.2), sexual contact with an intravenous drug user (6.9; 3.1–15.2), and tattooing (5.7; 2.5–13). Conclusions: Most blood donors acquire infection by percutaneous exposure to contaminated blood. A role for sexual transmission is suggested by this study. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1999;116:893-899

Hepatitis G virus infection in blood donors with positive screening test for hepatitis C virus antibody

Hepatitis G virus infection in blood donors with positive screening test for hepatitis C virus antibody

Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Hepatitis G Virus Infection in Blood Donors and Immunocompromised Recipients of HGV‐Contaminated Blood

Abstract Background and objectives: The infectiousness and clinical relevance of the newly discovered blood‐borne Flaviviridae‐like agent, termed hepatitis G virus (HGV), are not well understood. Materials and methods: Twenty‐three transfusion recipients of two HGV‐affected long‐term blood donors were studied for HGV genome and antibodies to the putative envelope 2 glycoprotein (anti‐E2) of HGV. Nine recipients had nonhematological disorders and 14 suffered from severe hematological diseases and 7 of them received allogeneic bone marrow or blood stem cell transplantation. The molecular epidemiology of the observed HGV infection was studied by direct sequencing of parts of the 5′‐noncoding region, NS3, and NS5 region of HGV in the 2 long‐term donors and in their 6 recipients who became HGV RNA positive. Additionally, 549 individuals – homologous (n = 254) and autologous blood donors (n = 202), and medical staff (n = 89) – were investigated for the presence of HGV RNA. Results: HGV RNA in serum was found in 15 of the 23 (65%) transfusion reciients with known exposure of HGV‐contaminated blood. Seven of the remaining 8 recipients showed only an anti‐E2 response, indicating previous HGV infection with spontaneous clearance of the virus. In one recipient neither HGV RNA nor anti‐E2 could be detected. Molecular evidence for HGV transmission by the 2 donors was found in 3 of the 6 recipients studied. The alanine aminotransferase levels were not significantly different in the HGV RNA positive and negative recipients, and none of the 23 recipients developed posttransfusion hepatitis. Persistent HGV infection was observed especially in recipients with severe hematological disorders or in those in whome intensive immunosuppressive treatment was necessary. Of the 549 individuals studied, 10 (1.8%) were healthy carriers of HGV RNA. Conclusion: The persistence of transfusion‐acquired HGV infection is not associated with acute or chronic hepatitis, but may be influenced by the recipient's underlying disease.