Incidence and significance of hepatitis B core antibody in a healthy blood donor population.

To determine the current incidence of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) in a healthy blood donor population, 1,893 donors were screened for anti-HBc. Forty-one (2.16%) were found to be initially positive and 35 (1.85%) repeatably positive. Sera from the repeatably positive donors were further screened for hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), and hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) by dot hybridisation. The repeatably positive donors were subsequently recalled for further investigation, and their peripheral blood lymphocytes were also screened for HBV DNA by dot hybridisation. Eighteen (51.4%) of the anti-HBc-positive donors were also anti-HBs-positive. HBV DNA was not detected in the serum or the lymphocytes of any of the anti-HBc-positive donors.