title: Hepatitis B virus DNA in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive blood donors: relation to the hepatitis B e system and outcome in recipients.
abstract: The presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was investigated in 26 hepatitis B surface antigen-positive blood donors. Three donors (12%) were concordantly positive for HBV DNA and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and had IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Two donors (8%) had HBV DNA without HBeAg; both were positive for antibody to HBeAg and lacked IgM anti-HBc. Twenty-one HBV DNA-negative donors had antibody to HBeAg, and all were negative for HBeAg and IgM anti-HBc. Blood units from 16 donors were transfused. A sufficient serological and clinical follow-up was available for 10 HBV-susceptible recipients. Three recipients of HBV DNA-positive blood units were infected irrespective of HBeAg status or presence of IgM anti-HBc. Six (86%) of seven recipients of HBV DNA-negative blood units developed HBV infection. Thus all hepatitis B surface antigen-positive blood donors should still be considered infectious irrespective of status with regard to HBeAg, HBV DNA, and IgM anti-HBc.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors; D002353:Carrier State; D002648:Child; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007075:Immunoglobulin M