Occult hepatitis B virus infection among hepatitis C virus seropositive and seronegative blood donors in Alexandria,Egypt

Background and aims: occult hepatitis b virus infection (obi,serum hepatitis b surface antigen negative but hepatitis b virus dna positive) is an emerging problem in the safety of blood transfusion. the introduction of hepatitis b surface antigen in the screening panel for blood bank donors has substantially reduced,but not entirely eliminated,the risk of hepatitis b virus infection. it has been suggested that infection with hepatitis c virus may inhibit hepatitis b virus replication. therefore,this study aimed at estimating the prevalence and risk factors for obi among blood donors and determining its relationship with hepatitis c virus infection. subjects and methods: presence of hepatitis b virus dna and hepatitis c virus rna was investigated for among 508 hepatitis b surface antigen-negative blood donors in alexandria,egypt. half of the donors were identified as hepatitis c virus antibody reactive. results: obi was detected in 21 donors (4.1%) from the studied population: eight were among hepatitis c virus antibody positive donors (3.2%),among whom seven (33.3%) had hepatitis c virus rna in their serum,and 13 (5.1%) were among hepatitis c virus antibody negative donors,with no statistically significant difference. the only significant risk factor for obi among the studied blood donors was visiting local barbers. conclusion and recommendations: obi is a considerable risk in blood banks,making screening for hepatitis b virus infection only on the basis of surface antigenemia insufficient. © 2013 egyptian public health association.