title: Serological pattern of hepatitis B virus among Hbsag negative blood donors in Alexandria, Egypt.
abstract: This study in Alexandria, Egypt was conducted to investigate the distribution of different hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers in apparently healthy blood donors who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative, and to determine the major independent risk factors. Evidence of past exposure to HBV was found in 148/508 screened donors (29.1%). The most prevalent marker was anti-NBc in 124/508 donors (24.4%), half of whom (63/124) showed anti-HBc only. Anti-HBs prevalence was 15.9%, combined anti-NBc and antiHBs was 12.0% and anti-HBe was 5.7%. Independent risk factors associated with the presence of at least 1 markerwere: being married (OR 3.82), history of blood transfusion (OR 3.04) and parenteral antibilharzial treatment (OR 2.49). Receiving a full HBV vaccination schedule was reported by 39 donors, but only 1 of them had isolated anti-HBs. The relatively high prevalence of HBV exposure necessitates solid infection control measures and adult vaccination programme awareness.
authors: E M
authors: EM
authors: El-Ghitany
authors: A G
authors: AG
authors: Farghaly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens