title: [Antibodies against hepatitis B virus core antigen among blood donors].
abstract: The prevalence of antibodies to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (anti-HBc) and the risk factors are evaluated in different blood donor groups. In 1998, on 12,456 first donations, 163 (1.31%) were positive with the two anti-HBc screening tests. Samples were from 69 women (42.3%) and 94 men (57.7%). Three subjects had no anti-HBs but were anti-HBc IgM negative. Forty (24.5%) donors were born in another country than France, and the majority (25 donors, 62.5%) were from North Africa. HBV vaccine had been previously given in 14 subjects (8.6%). Eight (4.9%) had hepatitis before the first donation. Trips in endemic areas (Africa and Asia) were taken by 26 subjects out of 76 donors with follow-up. Two (2.6%) had been previously transfused and six (7.9%) had contact with HBV-infected people. Among 78,033 repeat donations, 26 were positive with the two Anti-HBc screening tests (0.033%). Sixteen were negative after a second test and were probably false positive. Among the ten last donors, nine were Anti-HBs positive. One had anti-HBc IgM and had been recently infected by HBV. The prevalence of Anti-HBc in first-donation persons remains low. Trips in endemic areas and contact with an HBV-infected subject are the most frequent risk factors. Lastly, HBV seroconversion in repeat blood donors is a rare event. Anti-HBc screening in transfusion remains limited.
authors.affiliation: Etablissement de transfusion sanguine de Lyon, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moncharmont
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bourgeot
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Papon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duraffourg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000352:Africa, Northern / Q000208:ethnology; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D001782:Blood Donors; D015897:Comorbidity; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D015497:HIV-1; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D007075:Immunoglobulin M