Infectivity of blood from PCR-positive, HBsAg-negative, anti-HBs-positive cases of resolved hepatitis B infection.
BACKGROUND
Numerous reports have noted the existence of sera, particularly from resolving cases of HBV infection, that are positive for HBV DNA by PCR, despite being negative for HBsAg and IgM anti-HBc. If such blood is infective and detectable by HBV NAT screening, it seems desirable to introduce such screening for transfused blood.


METHODS
Three chimpanzees were inoculated with serum and lymphocytes from three patients who were HBV DNA PCR positive, but HBsAg negative. The animals were tested over a period of 15 months for HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and HBV DNA by PCR.


RESULTS
All animals remained uninfected.


CONCLUSIONS
Small amounts of plasma and MNCs from HBV DNA-positive HBsAg-negative blood do not appear to be infectious; however, further studies with larger volumes of inoculum should be conducted.
Laboratory of Virology, the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute of The New York Blood Center, New York, New York 10021, USA. aprince@nybc.org
A M
AM
Prince
D H
DH
Lee
B
B
Brotman
D000818:Animals; D001790:Blood Physiological Phenomena; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens