[Studies on hepatitis B virus infection in blood donors with positive anti-HBc and negative HBsAg].
OBJECTIVE
To study if it is necessary to screen for core antibody against hepatitis B (anti-HBc) to prevent post-transfusion hepatitis B and what is its criteria for screening.


METHODS
Relationship between the titer of anti-HBc and HBV DNA in blood from qualified donors by routine testing was conducted. HBV DNA was detected in 297 units of blood with anti-HBc at various titers by immuno-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
HBV DNA was detected in one of four units of blood with positive anti-HBc at a dilution of equal to or greater than 1:128, and no HBV DNA was detected in other 75 units of blood with a dilution of anti-HBc less than 1:128. There was significant relationship between HBV DNA and the titer of anti-HBc. No HBV DNA was detected in 218 units of blood with both positive anti-HBc and anti-HBs and in 50 units with negative anti-HBc. Detection rate of HBV DNA in blood with positive anti-HBc was only 0.34% (1/297).


CONCLUSIONS
Blood containing higher titer of single anti-HBc may be infectious. It is suggested that sensitivity of the reagents for detecting HBsAg currently used (1 ng/ml) be improved with the limited budget.
D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male