Residual risk for transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B virus infection due to occult hepatitis B virus infection in donors living in Yaoundé, Cameroon

• Published in: The Pan African medical journal Vol. 39; p. 175
• Main Authors: Kengne, Michel, Medja, Yolande Francine Onomo, Tedom, Nwobegahay, Julius Mbekem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: Uganda 2021
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Blood Donors; Blood Safety - methods; Blood Transfusion - standards; Cameroon; Cross-Sectional Studies; DNA, Viral - blood; Donor Selection - methods; Female; Hepatitis B - blood; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis B - transmission; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - blood; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Young Adult; Cameroon; infection; transfusion; transmission; Residual risk; HBV
• ISSN: 1937-8688; 1937-8688
• DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.39.175.22365

viral infection caused by hepatitis B virus is the most frequent transfusion-transmitted viral infection. Although the search for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in blood banks has significantly reduced the risk for transfusion-transmitted virus infection, there is still a residual transfusion risk of transmission from donors with occult hepatitis B. Blood bags containing aHBc with or without aHBs and viral DNA can cause infections and represent a threat to transfusion safety when aHBc levels are undetectable. The purpose of this study is to determine the residual risk for transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B virus at the Central Hospital of Yaoundé (CHY) as well as at the St Martin de Porres's Catholic Hospital (SMPCH) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. we conducted a cross-sectional study among blood donors at the Central Hospital of Yaoundé (CHY) and the St Martin de Porres's Catholic Hospital. In these subjects the search for aHBc and/or the aHBs was conducted by immunochromatography. HBV DNA test was performed on blood samples tested positive for aHBc and/or aHBs by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique using specific primers. out of a total of 193 blood donors negative for HIV, HBV (HBsAg), HCV serological markers and treponema infections, the overall seroprevalence of aHBc and/or aHBs was 9,84% (19/193). Out of a total of 19 potentially infected donors, HBV DNA was detected in 03 individuals, including 02 aHBc carriers and 01 carrier of both aHBc and aHBs, reflecting a prevalence of occult hepatitis B of 15,79% (3/19) [IC 95% =3,38%-39,58%] and a residual risk for transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B virus of 1,55% (3/193) [IC 95% =0,32%-4,48%]. this study shows that the residual risk for transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B virus is low. However, it is recommended to screan blood donors for aHBc and/or aHBs.