HEPATITIS-B - SIGNIFICANCE FOR TRANSFUSIO N MEDICINE

Objective: To describe the present risk for transfusion-associated hep atitis B in Germany or in countries with low hepatitis B incidence, re spectively. Data sources: Selected relevant publications since 1978, o wn data. Results: Despite donor selection and HBsAg screening hepatiti s B infections after transfusion are reported to occur with a frequenc y of 0.2-1.8%. The most important source are probably donors who are v iral carriers despite lacking HBsAg. This serological pattern is often found in individuals showing anti-HBc as only marker for a hepatitis B infection. About one third of these people are thought to be carrier s of HBV. How many of these individuals belong to the blood donor popu lation in Germany is at present unknown. Conclusions: Studies evaluati ng the frequency of HBsAg-negative HBV carriers among blood donors are urgently required. Results of such investigations will show whether t he introduction of additional tests, such as screening for anti-HBc, w ill further diminish the risk for posttransfusion hepatitis B.