Hepatitis A virus antibodies in Australian blood donors: implications for immunoglobulin sufficiency.
BACKGROUND
Passive immunisation is an important means of preventing hepatitis A in the most vulnerable populations in the event they are exposed. Trends in hepatitis A seroprevalence may impact on the production of effective immunoglobulin products for passive immunisation.


METHODS
The seroprevalence of hepatitis A antibodies in blood donors in capital cities around Australia was measured using a commercial ELISA. Hepatitis A antibodies were quantified using the same commercial kit in a random sample of those who were seropositive.


RESULTS
An estimated 51% (95% CI 48-54%) of Australian blood donors were seropositive for hepatitis A. Rates varied across the country and increased with age. The geometric mean titre (GMT) of those who were seropositive among our sample was 1246.8mIU/mL (geometric standard deviation 11.8mIU/mL) and increased with age.


CONCLUSIONS
Comparison with published data supported an increase in seroprevalence in younger age groups. The seeming increase in seroprevalence among donors is encouraging regarding Australia's ability to maintain immunoglobulin sufficiency. However, the overall GMT of hepatitis A antibodies in donations may be prone to decrease as current donor cohorts age.
School of Medicine, Griffith University, Australia; Menzies Health Institute - Queensland, Griffith University, Australia; Metro North Public Health Unit, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Australia. Electronic address: megan.young@griffith.edu.au.
Megan K
MK
Young
Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Australia.
Helen M
HM
Faddy
Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Australia.
Jesse
J
Fryk
School of Medicine, Griffith University, Australia; Pathology Queensland, Australia.
Graeme R
GR
Nimmo
Menzies Health Institute - Queensland, Griffith University, Australia; Griffith Health, Griffith University, Australia.
Allan W
AW
Cripps
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D001782:Blood Donors; D002947:Cities; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
Blood donor; Geometric mean titre; Hepatitis A; Immunoglobulin; Passive immunization; Seroprevalence