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The diversity of chronic hepatitis B virus infections within blood donors in E ngland and N orth W ales 2005 through 2010
Author(s) -
Rosenberg Gillian K.,
Lattimore Sam,
Brailsford Susan R.,
Hewitt Patricia E.,
Tettmar Kate I.,
Kitchen Alan D.,
Ijaz Samreen,
Tedder Richard S.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.12003
Subject(s) - genotype , coinfection , hepatitis b virus , virology , immunology , medicine , serology , asymptomatic , hepatitis b , virus , biology , antibody , gene , genetics
Background In 2010 hepatitis B virus ( HBV ) was the most frequently detected infection in UK blood donation screening, typically found in first‐time, male, chronically infected donors born abroad. To date there has been no comprehensive characterization of the virologic profile of these infections. Study Design and Methods Epidemiologic and serologic data were collected retrospectively for 344 chronically HBV ‐infected blood donors identified from J uly 2005 to J une 2010. Additional laboratory testing was carried out to determine the HBV genotype, viral load, and prevalence of clinically significant mutations and to detect hepatitis delta virus ( HDV ) coinfection. Results Five HBV genotypes ( A ‐ E ) were found, Genotypes D (45%), A (20%), and E (20%) were the most prevalent. A strong association was seen between genotype and donor ethnicity (p < 0.001) and between genotype and place of residence (p = 0.006). Clinically significant mutations were observed across hepatitis B surface antigen (17%), basal core promoter (25%) and precore (78%) regions. An antiviral resistance profile was identified in one donor. Evidence of HDV coinfection was found in 2% of donors. Conclusion The data show the diversity of HBV in asymptomatic chronic infections detected in blood donors in E ngland and N orth W ales and demonstrates the presence of mutations which may impact on disease. The global nature of these infections and the inability to identify chronically infected donors before donation highlights the importance of using screening assays capable of detecting a broad range of genotypes and mutations. Furthermore, the integration of the virologic and demographic data allows us to more accurately construct a profile of our chronically HBV ‐infected blood donors.