Author/Editor		Levičnik-Stezinar, Snežna; Jovanovič, Petra
Title		Prevalenca protiteles anti-HBC med krvodajalci v Sloveniji ter pomen pri presejalnem testiranju
Translated title		Prevalence of anti-HBC in Slovenian blood donors anf the impact on blood screening
Type		članek
Source		Zdrav Vestn
Vol. and No.		Letnik 77, št. Suppl 1
Publication year		2008
Volume		str. I-187-92
Language		slo
Abstract		Background Blood donor screening is one of the measures that contribute to the safe blood supply. Safety is based on the prevalence of the infections in blood donors and on blood screening programmes. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of anti-HBc in Slovenian blood donors, to give an estimation on the frequency of occult hepatitis B and to predict the risk of HBV transmission to recipients by not excluding anti-HBc units. Methods A total of 5959 units were screened for anti-HBc by modified ELISA (ChLIA) on Prism testing system (Abbott). In repeatedly reactive samples, anti-HBs was tested as well. Results Among screened donors, the anti-HBc incidence rate was 179/5959 (3.00%). There were 55 samples that were anti-HBc positive only (69.83% of anti-HBc pos, 0.90% of all donations). The number of units positive for both antibodies was 124 (2.10% of all tested donations). No significant difference was noted in the prevalence between male (3.00%) and female (2.99%). As expected, there was a raise in frequency from 0.78% in a group of 18‐29 years to 5.82% in a group 50‐65 years. In the study group there was one donor who was HBsAg carrier. Conclusion According to the results of this study, Slovenia is ranged among the countries with medium anti-HBc prevalence rate. Screening of donors would additionally contribute to the higher blood safety. The higher cost due to testing and destroying units is not acceptable, especially after the implementation of screening for HBV DNA and excluding the units that are really infectious.
Descriptors		BLOOD DONORS HEPATITIS B HEPATITIS B ANTIBODIES PREVALENCE