Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus from Blood Donors with Occult Infection?

Occult HBV infection was uncommon among blood donors in Hong Kong, and HBV transmission from donors with such infection was relatively rare.

Occult infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is characterized by detectable levels of HBV DNA in individuals who test negative for hepatitis B surface antigen. Such individuals may or may not have detectable levels of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen or to hepatitis B surface antigen. Because detection of very low HBV DNA levels requires the use of nucleic acid testing and highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction, we know little about the prevalence of occult HBV infection (OHB) or the transmissibility of HBV from blood donors with this condition.

In a recent two-part study conducted in Hong Kong, researchers screened 217,595 blood donors and identified 67 (0.03%) with OHB; 44 consented to further evaluation. In part one, samples from…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus from Blood Donors with Occult Infection?

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Reviewing Author