Hepatitis B core antibodies in Danish blood donors: a surrogate marker of risk behaviour.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) among Danish blood donors and to correlate this with risk factors for blood-borne and sexually transmitted diseases.


METHODS
During a 5-month period, 10 862 consecutive donors in the County of Funen were screened for anti-HBc, and repeat-reactive samples were confirmed by supplementary testing. Information on risk factors was assessed by questionnaire in 585 consecutive anti-HBc-negative blood donors and compared with information obtained from confirmed positive donors.


RESULTS
The prevalence of confirmed positive anti-HBc among donors was 0.70% (76/10 862, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.55-0.87). One donor was positive for anti-HBc immunoglobulin M (IgM); none tested positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA. In a logistic regression analysis, age, female gender, tattoos and commercial sexual relations, were independent predictive factors for the presence of anti-HBc.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-HBc is a surrogate marker for previous risk behaviour in the Danish blood donor population. We suggest that screening for anti-HBc may be used among new donors to supplement interviews on risk behaviour.
Christensen
P B
PB
Department of Clinical Immunology, Odense University Hospital, DK 5000 Odense C, Denmark. peer.christensen@dadlnet.dk
Titlestad
I L
IL
Homburg
K M
KM
Georgsen
J
J
Kristensen
T
T
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015415:Biomarkers; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens