Hepatitis B virus DNA in Blood Donors Positive of Anti-Hepatitis B Core Antibodies and Negative for Surface Antigen in Hawler Major Blood Bank, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Authors

  • Rasha N. Hassan Microbiology/Pathology, Kurdistan Board of Medical Specialties/ Kurdistan region.
  • Ali H. Hussain Dept. of Community Health, Technical College of Health, University of Sulaimani Polytechnic.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.60146

Keywords:

Blood donors, Occult HBV, Hawler city, Blood Bank.

Abstract

Background: Occult Hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) among blood donors is an important medical concern.
Objectives: This study was done to detect the presence of occult hepatitis B virus infections among blood donors with negative hepatitis B surface antigen and positive total anti-hepatitis B core antibodies in Hawler Major Blood Bank in Hawler city/Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Methods: A total number of 12,185 blood donors in Hawler Major Blood Bank were screened for HBsAg and total anti-HBcAb using ELISA technique, and then positive results were retested by confirmatory technique by Chemiluminescence assay. All HBsAg-/HBcAb+ were selected as the study group; HBV DNA was tested among HBsAg-/HBcAb+ by conventional PCR and Real time-PCR. Clinical and demographic data of study group were recorded.
Results: Among the 12,185 blood donors, HBsAg was positive in 27 (0.22%) donors using Chemiluminescence assay, the frequency of HBs Ag -/ HBc Ab+ was 276 (2.27%), and then the total prevalence of HBV infection in all blood donors was 2.49%. Among the 276 HBs Ag-/HBcAb+, occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) was positive in 39.1% (108/276) using conventional PCR and Real time-PCR techniques, while the prevalence among all blood donors (n=12,185) was 0.09%. Testing of HBV-DNA in HBs Ag -/ HBc Ab+ group for OBI was done by qualitative PCR (positive HBV-DNA=102/276) or by quantitative Real time-PCR (positive HBV-DNA=108/276).
Conclusions: The OBI is frequently detected among blood donors in Hawler city especially those have HBsAg-/HBcAb+, and the total anti-HBcAb is an essential serological marker for screening HBV among blood donors. The risk factors for developing OBI among blood donors should be elucidated.

 

 

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Author Biography

  • Ali H. Hussain, Dept. of Community Health, Technical College of Health, University of Sulaimani Polytechnic.

     

     

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Published

2018-04-01

How to Cite

1.
Hepatitis B virus DNA in Blood Donors Positive of Anti-Hepatitis B Core Antibodies and Negative for Surface Antigen in Hawler Major Blood Bank, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. JFacMedBagdad [Internet]. 2018 Apr. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];60(1):57-61. Available from: https://iqjmc.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/19JFacMedBaghdad36/article/view/46

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