OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA among a selected group of Omani blood donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred HBsAg-negative donors were screened for anti-HBc. Those found to be positive were investigated for HBV DNA by polymerase chain reaction. HBsAg was retested on these sera following an immune complex dissociation technique. RESULTS: HBsAg was present in 2.8% of the donors. Forty-one out of 200 (20.5%) HBsAg-negative donors were positive for anti-HBc. Eleven were positive for HBsAg after dissociation, whereas 8 gave readings just over the cutoff. HBV DNA was not detected in this group. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that testing donors for HBsAg alone is not sufficient to eliminate HBV from the blood supply in Oman.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA among a selected group of Omani blood donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred HBsAg-negative donors were screened for anti-HBc. Those found to be positive were investigated for HBV DNA by polymerase chain reaction. HBsAg was retested on these sera following an immune complex dissociation technique. RESULTS: HBsAg was present in 2.8% of the donors. Forty-one out of 200 (20.5%) HBsAg-negative donors were positive for anti-HBc. Eleven were positive for HBsAg after dissociation, whereas 8 gave readings just over the cutoff. HBV DNA was not detected in this group. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that testing donors for HBsAg alone is not sufficient to eliminate HBV from the blood supply in Oman.
Authors: Khalid Al-Naamani; Rahma Al-Harthi; Said A Al-Busafi; Haifa Al Zuhaibi; Siham Al-Sinani; Heba Omer; Wasif Rasool Journal: Oman Med J Date: 2022-05-31
Authors: Said Ali Al Baqlani; Bui Tien Sy; Boris A Ratsch; Khalid Al Naamani; Salah Al Awaidy; Suleiman Al Busaidy; Georg Pauli; C-Thomas Bock Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-05-16 Impact factor: 3.240