Risk factors and anti-HBc reactivity among first time blood donors.
OBJECTIVE
The usefulness of testing for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) as a surrogate marker for non-A, non-B hepatitis can no longer be clearly established in the face of anti-hepatitis C virus testing. Application of anti-HBc testing in blood donors for detection of hepatitis B in addition to hepatitis B surface antigen testing (HbsAg) is a matter of debate.


METHODS
We examined the serology and risk analysis data in a group of first-time blood donors. In 1.48% of 16,081 donors, anti-HBc reactivity was found. We invited a study group of 112 donors for extensive interviewing about the risk of blood transmissible diseases, and for serological testing. A control group of 240 first-time donors was studied as well.


RESULTS
In the study group, the age was older (p < 0.001), a history of liver disease was more frequent (p < 0.001), and the donor (p < 0.001) or the donor's partner (p < 0.05) had either stayed longer in an HBV-endemic area or had been born in one. Combining these with the serological results, we found that strong anti-HBc reactivity was related to hepatitis B risk factors in HBsAg-negative donors.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-HBc testing in HbsAg-negative first-time donors makes it possible to identify hepatitis B risk factors with a prevalence of 0.02%. Our findings also stress the importance of including the history of the donor's partner(s) in the risk analysis before blood donation.
Molijn
M H
MH
Red Cross Bloodbank Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
van der Linden
J M
JM
Ko
L K
LK
Gorgels
J
J
Hop
W
W
van Rhenen
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014195:Travel
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens