Hepatitis B core antibodies in Danish blood donors: a surrogate marker of risk behaviour

Vox Sanguinis
P B ChristensenT Kristensen

Abstract

The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) among Danish blood donors and to correlate this with risk factors for blood-borne and sexually transmitted diseases. During a 5-month period, 10 862 consecutive donors in the County of Funen were screened for anti-HBc, and repeat-reactive samples were confirmed by supplementary testing. Information on risk factors was assessed by questionnaire in 585 consecutive anti-HBc-negative blood donors and compared with information obtained from confirmed positive donors. The prevalence of confirmed positive anti-HBc among donors was 0.70% (76/10 862, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.55-0.87). One donor was positive for anti-HBc immunoglobulin M (IgM); none tested positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA. In a logistic regression analysis, age, female gender, tattoos and commercial sexual relations, were independent predictive factors for the presence of anti-HBc. Anti-HBc is a surrogate marker for previous risk behaviour in the Danish blood donor population. We suggest that screening for anti-HBc may be used among new donors to supplement interviews on risk behaviour.

References

Sep 1, 1986·Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease·W SwanstonM Chernesky
Feb 1, 1986·Seminars in Liver Disease·J H Hoofnagle, D F Schafer
Apr 1, 1993·Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine·A R DavisB R Wylie
Dec 1, 1995·Transfusion Medicine·J P AllainL M Williamson
Mar 26, 1997·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·A E WilliamsG J Nemo
Jan 1, 1997·Vox Sanguinis·M H MolijnD J van Rhenen
Oct 16, 1999·British Journal of Haematology·J P AllainL M Williamson
Oct 12, 2000·The Journal of Infection·J N Zuckerman, A J Zuckerman

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 10, 2003·The Journal of Infection·I E GjørupA-M Plesner
Aug 5, 2006·Medical Principles and Practice : International Journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre·Geraldine KaminskiSaid H Al-Dhahry
Dec 3, 2014·Transfusion clinique et biologique : journal de la Société française de transfusion sanguine·R Ben Jemia, E Gouider
Sep 9, 2006·Vox Sanguinis·M SchmidtM K Hourfar
Aug 6, 2008·International Journal of Infectious Diseases : IJID : Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases·Irene K VeldhuijzenJan Hendrik Richardus
Sep 17, 2004·European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology·Vildan Ertekin, Mukadder A Selimoğlu
Oct 12, 2002·Journal of Medical Virology·Niels FiskerPeer Brehm Christensen
Nov 28, 2007·Journal of Medical Virology·Maria Claudia NascimentoSilvia Franceschi
Apr 8, 2015·World Journal of Hepatology·Dong Hee SeoKyou Sup Han
Jul 29, 2011·European Journal of Clinical Investigation·Kristoffer LindvigPeer B Christensen

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.