Prevalence of anti-haV antibodies among Slovenian blood donors

Abstract

Aims: Hepatitis A virus is transmitted via the faecal-oral route and is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis in the world. Anti-HAV seroprevalence is higher in less developed regions of the world. Transmission of HAV by transfusion is rare. It may occur if the blood is donated in the short time of viremia before the onset of symptoms. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of HAV IgG in Slovenian blood donors, and associated with that the susceptibility rate of donor population for HAV infection. Methods: The presence of HAV IgG antibodies was determined in 1000 blood donors from different regions in Slovenia. The testing was performed with CMIA assay on the Architect platform with HAVAb IgG reagents. The results were compared to the results obtained in 1995 on the AxSYM testing systemResults: In 1995 we got 55 % (95 % confidence interval (CI): 52 % to 58 %) prevalence of HAV IgG in blood donors. In 2012, the prevalence was only 28 % (95 % CI: 25 % to 31 %). In older population, the prevalence was higer than in younger population, especially before 45 years of age (53 % (95 % CI: 47 % to 58 %) in individuals aged > 45, and 14 % (95 % CI: 11 % to 17 %) in individuals aged ≤ 45 years; p< 0.0001). Conclusion: More than 80 % of Slovenian blood donors before 45 years of age are susceptible to HAV infection. The incidence of transfusion transmitted HAV infection can be prevented by vaccination of risk groups, careful donor selection procedures and efficient virus inactivation during manufacture of plasma derivatives.