[Absence of occult hepatitis B in Colombian blood donors].
BACKGROUND
In Colombian blood banks, screening for the surface antigen of hepatitis B is mandatory in all units collected. Testing of antibody against core antigens is not administered, although this method may be useful to detect donors infected with the hepatitis B virus.


OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of occult hepatitis B was determined by applying a full-serological profile of hepatitis B virus to blood samples of blood donors.


METHODS
Between April 2008 and October 2009, a prospective cross sectional study was conducted using 628 samples from donors to blood banks located in four Colombian cities. Prevalence for hepatitis B had been previously recorded for these cities. Serological screening was performed for the complete virus; then nucleic acid amplification was tested in sera that were anti-HBc reactive and with a titer of anti-HBs ≤30 mUI/ml.


RESULTS
Of the 628 samples tested, 129 met the serological criteria established to be tested nucleic acid amplification. None of them demonstrated evidence of nucleic acid amplification of hepatitis B virus.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study in Colombia to detect the presence of blood donors that may be occult hepatitis B carriers. None was detected.
Grupo Red Nacional Bancos de Sangre, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, DC, Colombia.
Mauricio
M
Beltrán
Maritza
M
Berrío-Pérez
María Isabel
MI
Bermúdez
Gloria
G
Rey-Benito
Bernardo
B
Camacho
Patricia
P
Forero
Gloria Cristina
GC
Molina
Orlando
O
Fals
Isabel
I
Pisciotti
Yulieth
Y
Oliveros
Armando
A
Cortés
Fernando
F
De La Hoz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult