Abstract

Transfusion associated hepatitis B virus (TAHBV) infection continues to be a major problem despite mandatory screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). This is because HBsAg is not detected during the window period of the infection. The present study was designed to assess the prevalence and socio-demographic distribution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in healthy blood donors of Erode District, Tamil Nadu. Between November 2010 and February 2011, 200 blood donors were screened and after obtaining written consent and answering a predetermined questionnaire, the samples were screened for the presence of HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBc total (IgG and IgM), anti-HBc IgM and anti-HBs were investigated and was found to be 3.5, 10.9, 5.7, and 3%, respectively. The prevalence of HBV markers were found to be instigated with factors like alcoholism, smoking, tattooing, ear piercing, visiting barber’s shop, and family history of jaundice, and were statistically significant. The findings of the current study recommends that all blood units should be tested for anti-HBc IgM to understand the infectivity status of the blood donors in the window period and to discard blood if positive.

Key words: Hepatitis B virus, window period, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), anti-HBc, anti-HBs.