title: Prevalence of hepatitis B seromarkers and hepatitis C antibodies in blood donors in Basra, Iraq.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transfusion-caused hepatitis remains a major problem in Iraq. Therefore, testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and antibodies to hepatitis C antigen (anti-HCV) is a very important preventative measure. The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus seromarkers among blood donors as a foundation for safe blood transfusion in Iraq.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the blood banks in Basra, Iraq from 1 January to 31 December 2013. Blood samples were collected and were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HCV using standard laboratory techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 69 915 blood donors were enrolled for the study. A total of 1625 (2.3%) donors have shown serological evidence for hepatitis B virus infection; of those donors, 125 (0.2%) showed a positive test result for both anti-HBc and HBsAg while 1475 (2.1%) had positive anti-HBc results as the only positive test for HBV infection. There was no significant difference between males and females (p=0.28). The prevalence of anti-HCV was 0.1%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first large population study of its kind in Basra, Iraq. The prevalence of hepatitis B and C among blood donors is very low in Basra. Around 2% of blood donors had anti-HBc as the only serological evidence of HBV infection. Inclusion of anti-HBc in routine screening of blood donors in Iraq should be encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Basra General Hospital , Basra , Iraq.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Rubaye
authors.affiliation: Director of the department of public health, Basra , Iraq.
authors.forename: Ziad
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tariq
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Swansea University , Swansea , UK.
authors.forename: Laith
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alrubaiy
keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; HEPATITIS B; HEPATITIS C