BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Lao People's Democratic Republic, hepatitis B virus is highly endemic. However, blood donations are only screened for HBsAg, leaving a risk of transmission by HBsAg-negative occult infected donors. Here, we characterized first-time blood donors to assess prevalence of hepatitis B virus infections and occult infected donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sera were screened for HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HBe antibodies. Occult HBV infections (OBIs) were assessed in HBsAg-negative sera by PCR, and sera of HBsAg positive and occult infected donors were phylogenetically characterized. RESULTS: 9·6% of the donors were HBsAg positive, and 45.5% were positive for at least one of the hepatitis B virus serum markers. More than 40% HBsAg carriers were HBeAg positive, with HBeAg seroconversion occurring around 30 years of age. Furthermore, 10·9% of HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs-positive donors were occult infected with hepatitis B virus. Thus, at least 3·9% of blood donations would potentially be unsafe, but hepatitis B virus DNA copy numbers greatly varied between donors. CONCLUSION: In Lao People's Democratic Republic, a sizable proportion of HBsAg-negative and anti-HBc antibody-positive blood donations are potentially DNA positive and infective for hepatitis B.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In LaoPeople's Democratic Republic, hepatitis B virus is highly endemic. However, blood donations are only screened for HBsAg, leaving a risk of transmission by HBsAg-negative occult infected donors. Here, we characterized first-time blood donors to assess prevalence of hepatitis B virus infections and occult infected donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sera were screened for HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HBe antibodies. Occult HBV infections (OBIs) were assessed in HBsAg-negative sera by PCR, and sera of HBsAg positive and occult infected donors were phylogenetically characterized. RESULTS: 9·6% of the donors were HBsAg positive, and 45.5% were positive for at least one of the hepatitis B virus serum markers. More than 40% HBsAg carriers were HBeAg positive, with HBeAg seroconversion occurring around 30 years of age. Furthermore, 10·9% of HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs-positive donors were occult infected with hepatitis B virus. Thus, at least 3·9% of blood donations would potentially be unsafe, but hepatitis B virus DNA copy numbers greatly varied between donors. CONCLUSION: In LaoPeople's Democratic Republic, a sizable proportion of HBsAg-negative and anti-HBc antibody-positive blood donations are potentially DNA positive and infective for hepatitis B.
Authors: Opaleye O Oluyinka; Hoang Van Tong; Sy Bui Tien; Ademola H Fagbami; Olusegun Adekanle; Olusola Ojurongbe; C-Thomas Bock; Peter G Kremsner; Thirumalaisamy P Velavan Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-07-06 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Antony P Black; Keooudomphone Vilivong; Phonethipsavanh Nouanthong; Chanthasone Souvannaso; Judith M Hübschen; Claude P Muller Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-04-14 Impact factor: 3.240