Italian blood donors with anti-HBc and occult hepatitis B virus infection.

Background And Objectives: Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection might allow the release of viremic units into the blood supply network if blood is tested only for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The aim of our study was to evaluate the actual prevalence, viral load and genotype of occult HBV infections among first-time blood donors in north-western Italy and to suggest a way to minimize risks of transmission of this infection.

Design And Methods: We assayed 6313 consecutive blood donors for antibodies to HBV core antigen (anti-HBc) in addition to mandatory screening.