Professional paper

https://doi.org/10.57140/mj.54.1.7

Detection of voluntary blood donor with previous hepatitis B infection – a case report

Admir Dilberović orcid.org/0009-0009-7364-7490 ; Opća bolnica Dubrovnik, Odjel za transfuzijsku medicinu
Jurica Arapović ; Sveučilišna klinička bolnica Mostar, Klinika za infektivne bolesti; Medicinski fakultet Mostar, Katedra za medicinsku biologiju
Ana Stanić ; Opća bolnica Dubrovnik, Odjel za laboratorijsku dijagnostiku
Lidija Kola ; Opća bolnica Dubrovnik, Odjel za transfuzijsku medicinu
Dolores Martinović ; Opća bolnica Dubrovnik, Odjel za transfuzijsku medicinu

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B is liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis B virus, with more than 250
million documented cases worldwide in the chronic form of infection. Markers of hepatitis B infection can
be measured in the blood during or after infection and may be present in the form of specific hepatitis B
surface antigen (HBsAg) or antibodies to hepatitis B surface (HBs), core (HBc), or envelope (HBe)
antigens.
Case report: A 42-year-old female, who successfully donated blood for the first time, underwent
mandatory serological and molecular testing along with additional testing for other hepatitis B markers.
Standard screening showed the absence of HBsAg in the blood, but additional serological testing confirmed
the presence of total antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Upon repeated reactive results, the
sample was sent for confirmatory testing to a reference center. After obtaining all the results, it was
determined that the voluntary blood donor had the presence of anti-HB cand HBs antibodies, indicating a
prior contact with the hepatitis B virus. While serological tests suggested a resolved hepatitis B infection,
the possibility of a persistent liver infection could not be ruled out, despite the absence of detectable
hepatitis B virus DNA in the blood. Therefore, the individual has been permanently excluded from the list
of potential blood donors.
Conclusion: Mandatory serological and molecular testing of blood donors for the hepatitis B virus
successfully detects potentially infected individuals and carriers of hepatitis B markers. However,
additional testing further enhances the safety of both recipients and blood donors. This case study highlights
the importance of comprehensive screening for hepatitis B markers, as relying solely on HBsAg screening
would not have identified the voluntary blood donor as a resolved hepatitis B case. Thus, comprehensive
screening ensures a higher level of safety in blood transfusion and contributes to overall healthcare
protection.

Keywords

anti-HBc antibodies; blood donor; case report; hepatitis B; hepatitis B surface antigen; serological testing

Hrčak ID:

315741

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/315741

Publication date:

4.4.2024.

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