Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can be detected in blood donations by many serologic markers. Since the introduction of routine anti-hepatitis B core antigen (HBc) donor screening at Héma-Québec in April 2003, a large number of donors have been deferred on the basis of reactive anti-HBc test results. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the anti-HBc-reactive donations and the detection of HBV DNA with an in-house nucleic acid testing (NAT) assay.
Study Design And Methods: The in-house HBV NAT assay is a conventional polymerase chain reaction amplifying part of the viral S gene. From October 2004 to November 2005, a total of 1169 anti-HBc-reactive donations were tested with this in-house assay. The results were correlated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HBs markers. HBV DNA-positive samples were further investigated by DNA sequencing.
Results: All HBsAg-positive samples were detected by the NAT assay. Overall, 38 (3.25%) of anti-HBc-positive samples were found to be positive for the presence of HBV DNA. Of these 38, a total of 12 donations with a low level of HBV DNA were HBsAg-negative. The sequencing results clearly showed various genotypes and subtypes within a same genotype.
Conclusion: The 3.25 percent HBV DNA positivity rate among the anti-HBc-reactive donations and more particularly the low level of HBV DNA observed in occult donations underline the importance of the use of a sensitive assay to detect HBV DNA in conjunction with other markers. The HBV genetic diversity found in our donor population reflects the province demographics, particularly in the Montreal area where most of the positive donors were from.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1537-2995.2007.01394.x | DOI Listing |
BMC Infect Dis
December 2024
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Edo State University, Uzairue, Edo State, Nigeria.
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health challenge in Nigeria, with high prevalence rates among pregnant women. The prevalence of overt and occult hepatitis B infection (HBI and HBI) among pregnant women was investigated to understand the burden and associated risk factors in this population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 pregnant women.
World J Virol
December 2024
Department of Hepatology, University of Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy.
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is categorized as one of the smallest enveloped DNA viruses and is the prototypical virus of the Hepatoviridae family. It is usually transmitted through body fluids such as blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. The majority (more than 95%) of immunocompetent adults infected with HBV spontaneously clear the infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActa Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai)
December 2024
Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
The persistent global burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has prompted ongoing investigations into host determinants of viral control. In this study, we investigate the regulatory influence of the host gene cleavage stimulation factor subunit 2 (CSTF2) on HBV replication dynamics. We demonstrate differential CSTF2 expression across the spectrum of HBV infection phases, with upregulated expression noted during the immune-reactive and inactive carrier states compared with the immune-tolerant phase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLiver Int
January 2025
NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA.
Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a common but underdiagnosed and undertreated health condition and is the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. HBV (rated a Grade 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer) drives the transformation of hepatocytes in multiple ways by inducing viral DNA integrations, genetic dysregulation, chromosomal translocations, chronic inflammation, and oncogenic pathways facilitated by some HBV proteins. Importantly, these mechanisms are active throughout all phases of HBV infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Immunol
December 2024
Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Background: Previous studies primarily focused on the effects of ALT and virology, but there is a lack of research on the correlations of HBcrAg and pgRNA, two novel virologic markers, with immunological parameters in pregnant women with CHB undergoing prophylactic antiviral intervention.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 28 HBeAg-positive pregnant women with CHB undergoing prophylactic antiviral intervention. Clinical data, virological markers (HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg, HBcrAg and pgRNA) and 28 cytokines were detected at three time points: 24-28 weeks gestation (before prophylactic antiviral intervention), near birth and within 3 months postpartum.
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