Resumo

BELTRAN, Mauricio et al. Absence of occult hepatitis B in Colombian blood donors. Biomédica [online]. 2011, vol.31, n.4, pp.580-589. ISSN 0120-4157.

Introduction. In Colombian blood banks, screening for the surface antigen of hepatitis B is mandatory in all units collected. Testing of antibody against core antigens is not administered, although this method may be useful to detect donors infected with the hepatitis B virus. Objective. The prevalence of occult hepatitis B was determined by applying a full-serological profile of hepatitis B virus to blood samples of blood donors. Materials and methods. Between April 2008 and October 2009, a prospective cross sectional study was conducted using 628 samples from donors to blood banks located in four Colombian cities. Prevalence for hepatitis B had been previously recorded for these cities. Serological screening was performed for the complete virus; then nucleic acid amplification was tested in sera that were anti-HB creactive and with a titer of anti-HBs ≤30 mUI/ml. Results. Of the 628 samples tested, 129 met the serological criteria established to be tested nucleic acid amplification. None of them demonstrated evidence of nucleic acid amplification of hepatitis B virus. Conclusions. This is the first study in Colombia to detect the presence of blood donors that may be occult hepatitis B carriers. None was detected.

Palavras-chave : Blood transfusion, hepatitis B; blood banks; Colombia.

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