Investigation of anti-HBc and anti-HBs prevalence in HBsAg negative blood donors in Sistan-o-Baluchestan province

The most common marker used for HBV infection diagnosis in blood donors is screening for HBsAg. The failure of HBsAg detection in blood donors cause of either the window period، or the mutation in S gene، or the reduction in the antigen synthesis can lead to transfusion-transmitted HBV in blood recipients. There have been reported hepatitis cases following the transfusion of anti-HBc positive blood and blood components. The prevalence of anti-HBc in populations is proportional to the prevalence of HBsAg. It is better then for studies about the prevalence of anti-HBc to be conducted in HBV highly prevalent regions. Thus، the aim of this study was to survey anti-HBc and anti-HBs prevalence rates in blood donors in Sistan-o-Baluchestan. In this cross-sectional study، 1500 HBsAg negative samples were collected from Sistan-o-Baluchestan and tested for anti-HBc. All anti-HBc positive samples were tested for anti-HBs. All data were analyzed statistically using Chi-square test. Out of 1500 blood donors who were negative for HBsAg، 144 (9. 6%) were positive for anti-HBc with 74. 3% having the immunity titer of anti-HBs. In this study، the prevalence rate of anti-HBc was very high. Most of anti-HBc positive blood donors were positive for anti-HBs. Therefore، screening of blood donors for anti-HBc can limit the storage of blood.