Transmission of genital herpes by donor insemination

This report describes a donor in a therapeutic donor insemination program who asymptomatically acquired a primary herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection from his long-standing sexual partner. His fresh semen was used to inseminate two HSV-seronegative recipients; in one a primary HSV-2 infection developed, and in one it did not. Direct evidence of transmission from donor to recipient was documented by restriction enzyme analysis of the HSV-2 isolates obtained from the donor's semen and from the recipient's cervix. Because of the possibility of asymptomatic acquisition and transmission of HSV-2, semen donors and their sexual partners should undergo serologic screening for genital herpes using new, type-specific HSV serologic techniques.     

The Role of anti-HBc IgM in Screening of Blood Donors

Background

Transfusion transmitted hepatitis B has always been a dreaded disease, with incidence of increased transmission through donated blood. The screening test for hepatitis B infection is detection of HBsAg that does not rule out the risk of transmission of hepatitis B as the donor may be in the ‘window period’. During this period, detection of the antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) IgM type serves as a useful serological marker. The aim of this study was to screen blood donors for anti-HBc type IgM and anti - HBc Ag total for detection and to find their incidence amongst blood donors.

Methods

2552 voluntary blood donors were screened by the ELISA method for HBsAg and anti - HBc IgM and other mandatory screening markers. 704 of the test blood samples were also screened for anti-HBc total.

Result

Of the 2552 donor, 47 (1.84 %) cases were HBsAg positive. A total of 11 (0.43 %) blood units were reactive for HBcAg IgM and of these, 10 (0.39 %) were HBsAg negative and reactive for anti-HBcAg IgM. Of the 704 samples tested for anti - HBcAg total, 112 (15.9%) samples were reactive.

Conclusion

Screening of blood for anti-HBc total is practical in the western world as the incidence of HBsAg and anti-HBc is low in these countries and these positive blood units for anti - HBcAg total can be discarded. This may not be practical in India as the incidence of anti- HBcAg total is high in our population. It is recommended that all blood units should be tested for anti - HBc IgM for infectivity status of the blood donors in the window period and to discard blood if positive.Key Words: Window period, Hepatitis B surface antigen, Anti hepatitis B core antigen     

献血者中抗-HCV和HBsAg阳性与ALT水平相关性研究

目的探讨无偿献血者丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)异常与HBsAg和丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)感染及非病理因素的关系。方法对242480例献血者标本进行检测,统计ALT、HBsAg和抗-HCV阳性不合格项目的构成比,分析ALT水平与HBsAg和HCV感染的相关性。结果 ALT水平与HBsAg阳性显著相关(r=0.6140,P<0.005),与抗-HCV阳性呈低度相关(r=0.3684,P<0.001)。结论 ALT水平与HCV和HBsAg感染呈正的直线相关。     

Hepatitis B virus DNA and e antigen in serum from blood donors in the United Kingdom positive for hepatitis B surface antigen

Serum samples from 214 blood donors in the United Kingdom who were carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were examined for hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by DNA:DNA hybridisation and for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and its antibody. One fifth of the donors carried infectious virus in their circulation. The presence of hepatitis B virus DNA correlated well with that of HBeAg, although hepatitis B virus DNA was found in five serum samples that were negative for HBeAg. It is concluded that analysis of serum samples for hepatitis B virus DNA by hybridisation should be the method of choice for determining whether carriers of HBsAg are infectious.     

Trends in incidence and prevalence of major transfusion-transmissible viral infections in US blood donors, 1991 to 1996. Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study (REDS)

CONTEXT: Evaluating trends in blood donor infectious disease rates is essential for monitoring blood supply safety and donor screening effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: To determine changes over time in blood donor population infection rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study. SETTING: Five blood centers in different regions of the United States. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1.9 million volunteer blood donors with 1 or more nonautologous donations from January 1991 to December 1996. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in rates of HIV, HTLV, HCV, and HBV infections were evaluated by comparing yearly prevalence estimates (per 100,000 donations) for first-time allogeneic donors and period-specific incidence rates (IRs) (per 100,000 person-years) for repeat allogeneic donors between 1991 and 1996 (for HCV, from about March 1992 to June 1996). RESULTS: Prevalence of HIV decreased in first-time donors from 0.030% to 0.015% (P=.006) and HCV prevalence decreased from 0.63% to 0.40% (P<.001). Trends were not statistically significant for the proportion of first-time donors with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or HTLV. For repeat donors, IRs did not change significantly, indicating a stable but low level of seroconversion. The overall IRs (95% confidence intervals) per 100,000 person-years were 2.92 (2.26-3.70) for HIV, 1.59 (1.12-2.19) for HTLV, 3.25 (2.36-4.36) for HCV, and an estimated 10.43 (7.99-13. 37) for HBV (based on an HBsAg rate of 2.66 [2.04-3.41] with presumed false-positive results considered negative). The HBV IR estimate with presumed false-positive results considered positive (for comparability to previous analyses) was 17.83 (14.60-21.56). CONCLUSION: The decrease in HIV and HCV prevalence rates, combined with the previously documented lower rates of infection in first-time donors compared with the general population, suggests the continued benefit of behavioral risk factor screening. JAMA. 2000;284:229-235     

Screening of Danish blood donors for hepatitis B surface antigen using a third generation technique

The profit to be gained by testing Danish blood donors for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) with a third generation technique instead of the currently used immunoelectrophoresis was investigated by additional screening of 48 750 blood units by radioimmunoassay three weeks after donation. Twenty nine units were positive for HBsAg on radioimmunoassay (0.059%). Only six of these were found by immunoelectrophoresis (0.012%). Most of the 23 donors positive on radioimmunoassay and negative on immunoelectrophoresis were healthy carriers of HBsAg (20) or had asymptomatic chronic liver disease (two). One donor had acute hepatitis B. Fifteen of the 23 blood units were transfused. The 15 recipients were monitored biochemically and serologically for up to nine months. One recipient developed fulminant hepatitis B, three developed acute hepatitis B, and one became a healthy carrier of HBsAg. All these patients had received blood from healthy carriers of HBsAg. Two recipients were immunised against HBsAg, and in one patient no seroconversion was observed. The remaining recipients died soon after transfusion or were protected by antibodies to HBsAg that had been present before the transfusion. Testing of Danish blood donors using a third generation technique identified a substantial number of donors positive for HBsAg overlooked by immunoelectrophoresis. Most of these donors were healthy carriers of HBsAg. Blood taken from such carriers is highly infectious when transfused, probably because of the large amount of material transmitted.     

Hepatitis B surface antigen, e antigen and HBV DNA in healthy antenatal patients attending Goroka Hospital and their relationship to tattooing practices

The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in women attending the antenatal clinic at Goroka Hospital was 14%. 32% of those positive for HBsAg also had hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), indicative of an infectious state. The mean HBV DNA level in HBeAg-positive women was 1800 pg/ml. These results suggest that vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus may be of importance in Papua New Guinea. Tattooing is common in this population: 91% of women in the study had tattoos. Methods employed in tattooing are a potential health risk but in a community which is now exposed to hepatitis B virus early in life tattooing practices are not important in the transmission of hepatitis B infection.     

Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus. A preliminary study in volunteer blood donors

In a survey carried out from 1985 through 1986, volunteer blood donors to The Greater New York Blood Program were tested for two surrogate markers for non-A, non-B hepatitis--elevation of alanine aminotransferase level and presence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen. Stored serum samples from selected donors were also recently tested for antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). Anti-HCV was detected in 0.9% to 1.4% of donors and was higher in black and Hispanic donors than in white donors. Anti-HCV prevalence increased with increasing age through the fourth decade of life, but decreased thereafter, possibly reflecting the disappearance of detectable antibody with time. Anti-HCV correlated with both alanine aminotransferase level and the presence or absence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen. These associations suggest that donor screening for elevation of alanine aminotransferase level and presence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen was, as expected, at least partially effective in preventing transfusion-associated non-A, non-B hepatitis. The detection of anti-HCV in donors who have neither an elevation of alanine aminotransferase level nor presence of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen suggests that donor screening for anti-HCV will further reduce the risk of transfusion-associated hepatitis.     

Hepatitis B virus infection in Northern Ireland 1970-1987.

In the 18 years between 1970 and 1987, 504 patients were found to have hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in their blood. Acute hepatitis was present in 184 patients and six died (3.3%). The annual incidence of acute hepatitis B virus infection in Northern Ireland was about one-quarter that of England and Wales. A decrease in acute infection occurred in 1986-87, while in England and Wales acute infection has fallen by more than half since the peak in 1984. Hepatitis B virus infection in health care staff and patients in high risk groups were reviewed: 32% were in those of foreign origin or who had known foreign contacts. In blood donors there was a marked fall in incidence of hepatitis B surface antigen carriage from 1982 onwards: the incidence in antenatal patients and those screened for rubella antibody (mainly females) was half that of new blood donors in 1972-81. Carrier rates in blood donors and antenatal patients were less than those from other parts of the United Kingdom. All indices show that Northern Ireland has a lower incidence of hepatitis B virus infection than the rest of the United Kingdom.     

Transfusion Transmitted Infections in Armed Forces: Prevalence and Trends

Background

This study presents data on the prevalence rate of infectious markers among voluntary and replacement donors in the blood transfusion service in Armed Forces from 2000 to 2004.

Methods

39,646 units of blood were collected from donors during the period from 2000 to 2004. All the samples were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1&2, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and by venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL).

Results

24,527 (61.9%) were voluntary donations and 15,119 (38.1%) replacement donations. Prevalence of HBsAg had decreased, amongst voluntary donors from 1.67% to 0.77% but the positivity rate has not showed significant change. Seropositivity of HIV had decreased both in voluntary and replacement donors to 0.22% and 0.86% respectively. The seropositivity for anti-HCV showed steady decrease amongst voluntary donors from 0.46% to 0.20% in 2004, but in replacement donors, there was an increase in reactivity rate from 0.43% to 0.65%.

Conclusion

The increased seropositivity for HCV, HIV and HBsAg could be decreased by introduction of nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) in minipools for HCV and HIV and introduction of anti-HBcAg (IgM) for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. But this may not be possible in near future in developing countries due to financial constraints. At present implementation of strict donor criteria and with use of sensitive laboratory screening tests it is possible to reduce the incidence of transfusion transmitted infections (TTI) in Indian scenario.Key Words: Transfusion transmitted infections, Human immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis C virus, Hepatitis B virus     

性乱个体血清抗-HCV的调查

用第二代酶免疫试剂对208位性乱个体进行血清丙型肝炎病毒抗体(抗-HCV)的检测,107位献血员作对照,并结合部分乙肝病毒血清标志(HBVM)进行分析和比较。结果抗-HCV总阳性率为8.65％(18/208),伴有性病者阳性率12.73%(14/110),不伴性病者4.1％(4/98),对照组抗-HCV阳性率1.87％(2/107)。18例抗-HCV阳性血清中检出乙肝病毒表面抗原(HBsAg)及核心抗体(抗-HBc)13例(72.2％),未发现抗-HCV阳性与年龄、性别相关。结果提示,性乱个体中有着不可忽视的HCV感染率,感染的危险因子似与性病及HBV感染有关。     

Prevention of vertical transmission of hepatitis B. The place of routine screening in antenatal care, and the case for immunization of infants at risk

Many chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus acquire the infection from their mothers at birth; the risk is greatest if the mother either has acute hepatitis B or is a hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg)-positive HBsAg carrier, but there is some risk also to the infants of mothers who do not carry HBeAg. At the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, nearly 2% of women attending antenatal clinics are found to be carriers and, without immunization, approximately five infants per 1000 infants delivered (up to 15 infants annually) would also become carriers. Vertical transmission of hepatitis B can be prevented by a combination of passive and active immunization if infants at risk can be identified at or before birth. Routine screening for hepatitis B surface antigen in pregnant women is recommended, at least in institutions in which the patient population includes a high proportion of migrants, in whom the prevalence of hepatitis B carriage is relatively high.     

Hepatic viral infections in Yemen between 2000--2005

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies in Sanaa, and other governorates of Yemen. METHODS: By systematic review with meta-analysis we collected the research performed in different governorates of Yemen during the period 2000--2005. This included the published papers (peer reviewed), and the papers presented at Yemeni conferences. RESULTS: We identified 4 groups with separate prevalences. We found HBsAg to be 8% in healthy volunteers, 10.8% in blood donors, 12.3% in patients under dialysis, and 23% in patients with chronic liver diseases. Antibodies to HCV show different results, namely, 1.7% in healthy volunteers, 2.7% in blood donors, 33.8% in patients under dialysis, and 33.75% in patients with chronic liver diseases. The viral markers in different governorates showed significant differences in healthy and blood donor groups. The means of HBsAg and HCV antibodies in patients with liver diseases were recorded to be 26.2% for HBsAg, and 33.8% for HCV antibodies, with a total of 60%. The means in patients under dialysis, for HBsAg was 10.9%, and for HCV antibodies was 33.8%, with a total mean of 44.7%. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis B and C appear to be a major health problem in our community. Our study results indicate an intermediate level risk of hepatitis B virus infection. There are some geographic areas in the country that may be at high risk. Control strategies should take these differences into account.     

孕妇血清中乙肝病毒抗原抗体检测与胎儿宫内感染的关系

目的：探讨孕妇血清中乙肝病毒抗原抗本，滴度与胎儿宫内感染发生率之间的关系，从而对母婴垂直传播提出适当的预防措施。方法：对855例孕妇采集肘静脉血，其分娩的新生儿出生后立即消毒脐带留取脐血，分别采用酶联免疫吸附法测定其乙肝表面抗原（HBsAg)，乙肝表面抗体（抗－HBs)，乙肝e抗原（HBeAg)，乙肝e抗体（抗－HBe)，乙肝核心抗体（抗－HBc)并对HBsAg,HBeAg，抗－HBc及HBsAg滴度与胎儿宫内感染的关系进行了分析。结果：855例孕妇HBsAg阳性者120例（占14．04％），120例HBsAg阳性孕妇的胎儿宫内感染率为32．50％（39／120）；孕妇血清中HBsAg滴度的高低与胎儿宫内感染率之间无显著性差异（P＞0．05），孕妇血清中单纯HBsAg阳性者发生胎儿宫内感染率为16．67％（1／6），HBsAg 阳性合并抗－HBc阳性者发生胎儿宫内感染率为12．32％（9／73），而孕妇血清中HBsAg阳性合并HBeAg阳性者发生胎儿宫内感染率为70．73％（29／41），与前组比较均有显著性差异（P＜0．01），结论：孕妇血清中HBsAg的滴度与胎儿发生宫内感染无关，但HBeAg阳性率越高，其胎儿发生宫内感染的机率就越大。     

无偿献血者乙型肝炎病毒核心抗体与隐匿性感染的关系

目的探讨无偿献血者乙型肝炎病毒核心抗体（anti．HBc）与隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒感染的关系。方法收集无偿献血者样本9100份,采用ELISA法进行HBsAg和anti—HBc血清学筛查,anti—HBc阳性血清再通过PCR检测乙肝病毒核酸（HBVDNA）。结果9100份无偿献血者标本中anti—HBc阳性911份（10．01％）,HBsAg阳性199份（2．19％）;911份anti—HBc阳性标本中,HBsAg阴性820份（90．01％）,HBVDNA阳性34份。结论如果常规筛查不检测anti—HBc,血液中HBVDNA将被漏检。无偿献血者血液中HBsAg阴性的情况下,仍然存在病毒传播的潜在风险,有必要重视无偿献血者初筛HBsAg阴性人群的进一步血清学检测。     

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV Infections in Blood Donors of Khulna, Bangladesh

To determine changes (Trends) in infection rates of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in blood donors of Khulna Population. Specimens of 34953 voluntary blood donors & party or relative donors in Transfusion Medicine Department of Khulna Medical College Hospital from 2007 to 2009 were screened for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV 1 & 2 reactivity in a cross-sectional survey by rapid test method. Reactive samples were verified using a recognized confirmatory test which consisted of a second generation enzyme immune assay (HBsAg), anti-HCV antibodies by anti-HCV EIA & for HIV by western Blot, respectively. The seroprevalence of HBsAg, Anti-HCV, HIV antibody 1 & 2 was 1.4%, 0.09% & 0.03% respectively in all blood donors. Prevalence of confirmed positivity was 0.62% for HBsAg, 0.04 % for Anti-HCV, 0.02% for HIV Western Blot. Between 2007 to 2009 a decreasing trend was observed in HBsAg frequency, HCV frequency decreased in 2009 compared to 2007. One HIV positivity found in 2009. Although the frequency of transfusion transmitted infections is low, party or relative donors have some risk factors than voluntary blood donors. Through more scrutiny in donor selection, improved serological test & reevaluation of infections routes in donor, infection reduction can be achieved.     

云南省不同地区产妇乙肝表面抗原筛查及乙肝病毒感染状况分析

目的 了解云南省不同地区住院分娩产妇乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)筛查水平和感染状况.方法 采用定额抽样方法,在全省16个州(市)中按乙肝报告发病率高、中、低分别抽取1个州(市),对所辖医院产科2011年1月～6月上报的产妇HBsAg筛查和感染现状进行分析.结果 云南省3州(市)的332所医院产科2011年1月～6月报告住院分娩产妇68 753人,HBsAg筛查率为97.44%,筛查方法 以金标法为主,已筛查产妇中HBsAg阳性率2.35%,不同地区阳性率有一定差异(P<0.01),医院筛查阳性结果 与省级复核的一致率较高(98.83%).在HBsAg阳性产妇中,农村产妇大三阳构成比高于城镇(P<0.05);15～29岁产妇大三阳构成比高于30～42岁组(P<0.01).结论 项目实施期间云南省不同地区HBsAg筛查率均较高;其次,金标法是云南省乡镇卫生院住院分娩孕妇HBsAg筛查的主要方法,筛查阳性结果 可信,但存在一定漏检,故在条件允许的情况下对孕妇HBsAg的筛查和阳性标本的复核均需要选择敏感、稳定和成熟的ELISA法.     

The current status of hepatitis B in Lebanon

The current status of hepatitis B infection in Lebanon is unknown due to the scarcity of published studies on the subject. This study was conducted to summarize the available information on hepatitis B in Lebanon since 1966, as well as to determine the current status of the problem, by analyzing the prevalence of positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) reported from different laboratories of major hospitals covering the six districts of Lebanon in the year 2000. The overall HBsAg carrier rate among 61,271 tested individuals was 2.2%, being 13% among 30,809 blood donors, and 3.6% among 13,669 tested individuals in serology laboratories. There were marked geographical variations in the HBsAg carrier rate being 0.8% in Mount Lebanon, 1.9% in each of Bekaa and Greater Beirut, 2.2% in North Lebanon, 2.4% in Nabatiyeh, reaching up to 4.7% in South Lebanon. These findings are comparable to the previously reported studies on pregnant women and children, thus confirming that Lebanon is moderately endemic for hepatitis B. Such information stresses the urgent need for efficient national public health surveillance campaigns, and mass vaccination programs. In addition, the universal screening of pregnant women for HBsAg, and the implementation of universal newborn vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) should be the standard of medical care for the control and eradication of HBV in Lebanon.     

Success of a program of routine prenatal screening for hepatitis B surface antigen: the first 2 years.

Prenatal screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) restricted to women with defined risk factors for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection fails to identify many carriers. A centralized program of routine HBsAg screening for all pregnant women in Alberta was introduced in 1985. We collected and analysed data for the first 2 years of the program in Edmonton to determine the frequency of risk factors for HBsAg positivity, the proportion of multiparous HBsAg-positive women not identified in previous pregnancies, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of providing immunoprophylaxis to infants at risk of HBV infection and the degree of success in inducing adequate protection. A total of 149 women (158 pregnancies) were found to be HBsAg positive. Risk factors were readily ascertainable for 85% of the women; the remaining 15% would not have been identified through risk-selective screening. The most common risk factors were Oriental ethnic origin, history of hepatitis, jaundice or multiple transfusions of blood or blood products, and occupational exposure to blood. Although 86% of the multiparous HBsAg-positive women had risk factors, only 7% had been identified in previous pregnancies. The Alberta program appears to be cost-effective. We conclude that only routine prenatal screening will identify all infants at risk of perinatal HBV infection and that a comprehensive public health program involving central laboratories, private physicians and public health staff can be highly effective and efficient in protecting infants against hepatitis B.     

不同人群隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒感染检测分析

目的：探讨不同人群隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染情况及ELISA检测血清HBsAg阴性的原因。方法：采用巢式聚合酶链反应（PCR）检测150例健康献血员、263例健康体检自然人群和21例不明原因肝炎患者血清HBV DNA。用电化学发光免疫技术对检测出的隐匿性HBV感染者血清HBsAg进行定量测定。结果：隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒感染率分别为1．3％、4．2％和38．1％。电化学发光免疫技术检测隐匿性HBV感染者血清HBsAg,未检出有5例,在0．05ng／ml～0．1ng／ml有7例,0．1ng/ml～0．5ng／ml有6例,0．5ng/ml～10ng/ml有2例。结论：隐匿性HBV感染在不同人群中广泛存在。血清HBsAg阴性的机制主要是HBV复制和基因表达的严重抑制,以及HBV基因突变。