Arch Iran Med
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Although serological screening tests for blood-borne hepatitis viruses have effectively reduced the risk of HBV transmission through transfusion of infected blood, there is still a possibility that infected blood units from occult carriers being released into the blood supply. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-HBc among Iranian blood donors and evaluate the presence of HBV DNA in HBsAg negative plasma samples. ⋯ In countries with intermediate rate of HBV infection like Iran, the prevalence of anti-HBc antibody in HBsAg negative blood donors is found to be high. As a result, routine anti-HBc screening of HBsAg-negative blood donors without complementary tests (anti-HBs / HBV-DNA) can limit the number of blood transfusions. Therefore, it might be better to include the detection of HBV DNA along with the routine tests.