Hepatitis B surface antigenemia in blood donors following vaccination.
BACKGROUND
Detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in recently vaccinated adults has not previously been reported. Transient detectable HBsAg has been observed in newborn infants immunized with a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.


METHODS
Over a 1-year period, eight HBsAg-positive blood donors mentioned during donor notification that they had been vaccinated for hepatitis B virus 1 to 3 days before donation. Follow-up tests for HBsAg, antibodies to HBsAg, and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen were performed 3 to 37 weeks after immunization. Four months later, a group of 19 donors who were coworkers received hepatitis B vaccination and then donated blood the next day. The coworkers were observed for duration of antigenemia.


RESULTS
A total of nine cases of transient, confirmed (neutralizable) antigenemia occurred in healthy individuals who donated blood 1 to 3 days following vaccination with a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. Follow-up testing showed no evidence of infection by hepatitis B virus. One (5.3%) of 19 blood donors vaccinated as a group had antigenemia at Day 1 but not on Days 2 and 3 following immunization.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals recently vaccinated for hepatitis B may test positive for HBsAg and become permanently disqualified as blood donors. Therefore, blood collection centers should consider temporary deferral of potential donors who recently received hepatitis B vaccine.
Kloster
B
B
American Red Cross Blood Services, St. Paul Region, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
Kramer
R
R
Eastlund
T
T
Grossman
B
B
Zarvan
B
B
D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic