INTRODUCTION Thalassemia is hereditary anemia which requires lifelong transfusion as treatment, and hepatitis viral infection is one of the risks of repeated transfusions. Hepatitis B outbreaks in health-care settings are still a serious public health concern worldwide. Blood samples negative for HBsAg but positive for HBV-DNA, with or without the presence of HBV antibodies, are classified as "...

BACKGROUND The association between mutations in the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) gene and the occurrence of occult HBV (OBI) in patients has not been studied adequately to determine if the two are correlated. The current study was aimed to investigate HBsAg mutations, the genotype of HBV and co-infection with HCV in OBI in the central part of Iran to determine any possible associations. ...

UNLABELLED Previous studies have suggested that prior exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may increase the risk of development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of previous or occult HBV infection in a cohort of hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patients with histologically advanced chronic he...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection might allow the release of viremic units into the blood supply network if blood is tested only for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The aim of our study was to evaluate the actual prevalence, viral load and genotype of occult HBV infections among first-time blood donors in north-western Italy and to suggest a way to minimize...

BACKGROUND Haemodialysis patients are at increased risk of exposure to blood borne viruses. To reduce transmission in the UK, all haemodialysis patients are regularly screened, and if susceptible to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, vaccinated. METHODS This retrospective study was undertaken to determine the HBV immune status in a large dialysis cohort and the prevalence of occult HBV infect...

Background: The risk of infection by transfusion-transmitted viruses has been reduced remarkably. However, a zero-risk blood supply is still desirable. The screening for antibody to HBc (anti-HBc) has been shown as an alternative test for the detection of HBV infection. Objective: The main aim of this study was to evaluate HBV infection markers and the potential value of anti-HBc testing of blo...

The characteristics of 30 carriers with occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) were compared with those of 30 individuals diagnosed as being HBV carriers at the time of blood donation, 60 asymptomatic carriers, and 60 chronic hepatitis patients. The prevalence of genotype C was significantly higher in carriers with OBIs than in any other HBsAg-positive (HBsAg(+)) group (P < 0.001). Spec...

PURPOSE: To determine prevalence of positive HBV DNA in liver tissue samples in patients with chronic HCV infection (CHCV) and to investigate whether there is an association between it and underlying clinical condition. METHODE: For the period 2004 – 2010 in the Gastroenterology Clinic at the Military Medical Academy – Sofia, 96 patients CHCV (77% males, 23% females, mean age 50, 5 ± 10, 02 yea...