Prevalence and Transfusion Risks of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Among HBcAb-Positive Blood Donors in a High-Endemic Region
<b><b>Background:</b></b> Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a significant global health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where endemicity is high. Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) presents a unique challenge to transfusion safety, as HBV DNA may persist in HBsAg-n...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Diagnostics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/4/486 |
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| author | Ahmed Subeh Alshrari Shuaibu Abdullahi Hudu Sa‘adatu Haruna Shinkafi Albashir Tahir Halima Yunusa Raji Abdulgafar Olayiwola Jimoh |
| author_facet | Ahmed Subeh Alshrari Shuaibu Abdullahi Hudu Sa‘adatu Haruna Shinkafi Albashir Tahir Halima Yunusa Raji Abdulgafar Olayiwola Jimoh |
| author_sort | Ahmed Subeh Alshrari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b><b>Background:</b></b> Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a significant global health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where endemicity is high. Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) presents a unique challenge to transfusion safety, as HBV DNA may persist in HBsAg-negative individuals. This study examines the prevalence of HBcAb positivity among blood donors at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, and assesses the risk of HBV transmission. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 blood donors. Samples were screened for HBsAg and HBV serological markers using a rapid assay and ELISA. HBcAb-positive samples were analyzed for HBV DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Viral loads were quantified, and socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. <b>Results:</b> HBcAb was detected in 57 (28.5%) of the 200 donors. The most common serological pattern among donors was HBsAg-negative and HBcAb-negative (69%). Among these HBcAb-positive donors, HBV DNA was detected in three cases (1.5%), with viral loads of 753.1, 2.193 × 10<sup>4</sup>, and 4.538 × 10<sup>4</sup> IU/mL. The presence of HBV DNA in these donors confirms the risk of OBI transmission through transfusion. Socio-demographic analysis revealed that 48.5% of donors were aged 26–35 years, 23.5% were aged 18–25 years, 23% were aged 36–42 years, and 2.5% were either 43–50 or above 50 years of age, of which 99.5% were male. These findings highlight a significant prevalence of HBcAb positivity and OBI, aligning with studies in similar high-endemic settings. <b>Conclusions:</b> HBcAb positivity and OBI represent significant transfusion risks in endemic regions. The presence of HBV DNA in 1.5% of HBcAb-positive donors in the study population highlights the limitations of HBsAg-based screening. Incorporating nucleic acid testing (NAT) into routine blood donor screening protocols is critical to enhancing transfusion safety. Further research is needed to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of such interventions in resource-limited settings. |
| first_indexed | 2025-03-14T15:10:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7cd802981d9741a997d1c4a0cffe31ac |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-14T15:10:49Z |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj.art-7cd802981d9741a997d1c4a0cffe31ac2025-02-25T13:24:12ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-02-0115448610.3390/diagnostics15040486Prevalence and Transfusion Risks of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Among HBcAb-Positive Blood Donors in a High-Endemic RegionAhmed Subeh Alshrari0Shuaibu Abdullahi Hudu1Sa‘adatu Haruna Shinkafi2Albashir Tahir3Halima Yunusa Raji4Abdulgafar Olayiwola Jimoh5Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Northern Border University, Arar 91431, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Basic and Clinical Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Zarqa University, Zarqa 13110, JordanDepartment of Microbiology and Parasitology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto 840001, NigeriaDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi 751105, NigeriaDepartment of Microbiology and Parasitology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto 840001, NigeriaDepartment of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto 840001, Nigeria<b><b>Background:</b></b> Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a significant global health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where endemicity is high. Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) presents a unique challenge to transfusion safety, as HBV DNA may persist in HBsAg-negative individuals. This study examines the prevalence of HBcAb positivity among blood donors at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, and assesses the risk of HBV transmission. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 blood donors. Samples were screened for HBsAg and HBV serological markers using a rapid assay and ELISA. HBcAb-positive samples were analyzed for HBV DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Viral loads were quantified, and socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. <b>Results:</b> HBcAb was detected in 57 (28.5%) of the 200 donors. The most common serological pattern among donors was HBsAg-negative and HBcAb-negative (69%). Among these HBcAb-positive donors, HBV DNA was detected in three cases (1.5%), with viral loads of 753.1, 2.193 × 10<sup>4</sup>, and 4.538 × 10<sup>4</sup> IU/mL. The presence of HBV DNA in these donors confirms the risk of OBI transmission through transfusion. Socio-demographic analysis revealed that 48.5% of donors were aged 26–35 years, 23.5% were aged 18–25 years, 23% were aged 36–42 years, and 2.5% were either 43–50 or above 50 years of age, of which 99.5% were male. These findings highlight a significant prevalence of HBcAb positivity and OBI, aligning with studies in similar high-endemic settings. <b>Conclusions:</b> HBcAb positivity and OBI represent significant transfusion risks in endemic regions. The presence of HBV DNA in 1.5% of HBcAb-positive donors in the study population highlights the limitations of HBsAg-based screening. Incorporating nucleic acid testing (NAT) into routine blood donor screening protocols is critical to enhancing transfusion safety. Further research is needed to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of such interventions in resource-limited settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/4/486hepatitis B virushepatitis Boccult hepatitis B infectionHBcAbHBsAg |
| spellingShingle | Ahmed Subeh Alshrari Shuaibu Abdullahi Hudu Sa‘adatu Haruna Shinkafi Albashir Tahir Halima Yunusa Raji Abdulgafar Olayiwola Jimoh Prevalence and Transfusion Risks of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Among HBcAb-Positive Blood Donors in a High-Endemic Region Diagnostics hepatitis B virus hepatitis B occult hepatitis B infection HBcAb HBsAg |
| title | Prevalence and Transfusion Risks of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Among HBcAb-Positive Blood Donors in a High-Endemic Region |
| title_full | Prevalence and Transfusion Risks of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Among HBcAb-Positive Blood Donors in a High-Endemic Region |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and Transfusion Risks of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Among HBcAb-Positive Blood Donors in a High-Endemic Region |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and Transfusion Risks of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Among HBcAb-Positive Blood Donors in a High-Endemic Region |
| title_short | Prevalence and Transfusion Risks of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Among HBcAb-Positive Blood Donors in a High-Endemic Region |
| title_sort | prevalence and transfusion risks of occult hepatitis b infection among hbcab positive blood donors in a high endemic region |
| topic | hepatitis B virus hepatitis B occult hepatitis B infection HBcAb HBsAg |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/4/486 |
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