Hepatitis B virus infection in blood donors in Argentina: prevalence of infection, genotype distribution and frequency of occult HBV infection

Arch Virol. 2016 Oct;161(10):2813-7. doi: 10.1007/s00705-016-2960-2. Epub 2016 Jul 6.

Abstract

This study describes the prevalence of HBV infection based on detection of HBsAg and HBV-DNA by NAT in 70,102 blood donors in Argentina (Córdoba province) and shows the viral genotype distribution and frequency of occult HBV infection (OBI) in this population. Forty-two donors were confirmed positive for HBV infection (0.06 %), and four had OBI. Genotype F was the most prevalent (71.4 %), followed by A (14.3 %), C (7.1 %) and D (7.1 %). This is the first report of the prevalence of confirmed HBV infection and the high frequency of occult HBV infection in a blood bank in Argentina.

Keywords: Blood bank; Genotype; HBV; NAT; Prevalence.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Argentina / epidemiology
  • Blood Donors*
  • DNA, Viral / blood*
  • Female
  • Genotype*
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / blood*
  • Hepatitis B virus / classification*
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis B virus / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens