[Absence of occult hepatitis B in Colombian blood donors].

Introduction: In Colombian blood banks, screening for the surface antigen of hepatitis B is mandatory in all units collected. Testing of antibody against core antigens is not administered, although this method may be useful to detect donors infected with the hepatitis B virus.

Objective: The prevalence of occult hepatitis B was determined by applying a full-serological profile of hepatitis B virus to blood samples of blood donors.