engleski

Incidence of Anti-HBc in the Population of Croatian Blood Donors

The risk of HBV transmission by blood products still exists. To improve blood safety, minipool HBV-DNA and anti HBc testing are suggested in the low prevalence countries. The aim: To estimate the prevalence of anti HBc among random blood donors at CITM and to evaluate possible HBV occult infection in the group of anti HBc positive donors only. Material and methods: A total of 7561 random donors were screened for anti HBc by Ortho anti HBc “sandwich” principle test simultaneously to other mandatory tests. All positives were retested by ETI AB Corek PLUS and OCD Vitros Eci anti HBc test as well as for other HBV markers. Only anti HBc donors were tested for HBV DNA by Roche Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor and High Pure System (Cobas TaqMan) assay. Results: The overall anti HBc prevalence was 5.42% (1.55% of new and 6.08% of repeat donors). Anti HBs was detectible in 76% of anti HBc positive donors, 0.59% (45/7561) were only anti HBc positive, and none of them was HBV DNA positive. Conclusion: Anti HBc rate among Croatian blood donors reflects the intermediate HBV endemicity. The introduction of anti HBc test in donor selection and rejection of all positives could affect blood supply. Therefore, prior decision on anti HBc as a mandatory test, the possibility of increasing blood donations and additional funding should be considered. In the meantime, introducing the most sensitive HBsAg ULTRA tests in donor testing would be appropriate.

Incidence of Anti-HBc; blood donors

nije evidentirano