title: Prevalence of HBc-Ab among HBs-Ag negative healthy blood donors in south of Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The risk of infection with transfusion-transmitted viruses, such as Hepatitis B virus (HBV), has been reduced markedly. However, a zero-risk blood supply remains a popular goal. Anti-hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is considered to be an effective marker for occult HBV infection, and it has served a significant role in improving blood safety. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-HBc antibodies among blood donors.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a period of six months in 2012, 1000 blood donors in Bandar Abbas were investigated for the presence of HBV infection markers. We used ELISA for the detection of HBsAg and chemiluminescence for the detection of HBsAb and anti-HBc antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of positive anti-HBc among the 1000 donors was 8.3%. Almost 2.3% of the donors were reactive for anti-HBc and negative for HBsAg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that more than 2% of healthy blood donors in Bandar Abbas already have been exposed to HBV, although their HBsAg tests were negative. We suggest screening for anti-HBc to improve the safety of the blood supply.
authors.affiliation: Resident of pathology, Infectious and tropical diseases research center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Farhad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khorami
authors.affiliation: Assistant professor of pathology, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Alireza
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sobhani
authors.affiliation: Assistant professor of infectious diseases, Infectious and tropical diseases research center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Parivash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Davoudian
authors.affiliation: General physician, Infectious and tropical diseases research center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Khajeh
keywords: Anti-HBc; Bandar Abbas; Blood donor; HBsAg