Abstract:
Sudan is classified among countries with a high hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)
endemicity of more than 8%. Cross-sectional studies have showed a marked increase
in the prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) in patients with cirrhosis or
hepatocellular carcinoma. In terms of OBI infectivity by transfusion, it is largely
unknown whether residual risk estimates translate into true rates of infection.
Aim
The current study aimed to determine the frequency of OBI among blood donors
in Sudan.
Materials and methods
This study was carried out during the period between 2011 and 2012. It included 100
HBsAg-negative blood donors who attended the Central Blood Bank in Sudan. Sera
collected from all donors were tested for HBsAg, antibodies against hepatitis B core
antigen (anti-HBc), antibodies against hepatitis Be antigen (anti-HBe), and antibodies
against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay.
Anti-HBc-positive patients were tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA.
Results
The anti-HBc was detected in 42% of the blood donors, among whom 90.5% were
positive for HBV-DNA. Two main profiles have been detected, namely, the presence of
the three genes (S, C, and X genes) together in 35.7% of the blood donors or the
presence of the X gene in addition to the core gene.
Conclusion and recommendations
With the use of HBsAg as the sole detection marker for HBV, there is a danger of HBV
transmission through blood transfusion. Anti-HBc testing should be added to the
routine blood donor screening test if occult hepatitis B is to be diagnosed.
