Hepatitis B vaccinees may be mistaken for confirmed hepatitis B surface antigen-positive blood donors.
PMID 11856462 · Vox sanguinis · 2002 · DOI 10.1046/j.0042-9007.2001.00125.x
Authors: B C Dow; P Yates; G Galea; H Munro; I Buchanan; K Ferguson
Abstract
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test sensitivities have gradually increased, and neutralizable weak HBsAg-positive donations, with no other hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers, have occasionally been found in our donor population. On investigation, these donors have admitted to receiving hepatitis B vaccine up to 5 days previously. A study was therefore initiated to monitor HBsAg reactivity amongst volunteers after receiving their first dose of hepatitis B vaccine. Eight volunteers were tested using three HBsAg assays (Abbott Auszyme, Ortho HBsAg-3 and Abbott/Murex GE34/36) on days 0, 3, 5, 7 and 10 after administration of hepatitis B vaccine. Two HBsAg tests (Abbott Auszyme and Ortho HBsAg-3) did not detect HBsAg reactivity amongst the volunteers, although the Abbott Auszyme test results reached 70-80% of the manufacturer's cut-off at day 3 in two volunteers. The most recently launched assay (Abbott/Murex GE 34/36) detected seven (87%) of the eight volunteers as HBsAg reactive on day 3, and two (25%) volunteers were still reactive on day 5. The Abbott/Murex GE 34/36 assay demonstrated HBsAg reactivity in most volunteers on day 3 and in some on day 5 after vaccination. It is therefore recommended that individuals who have recently been vaccinated with hepatitis B be deferred from blood donation for at least 7 days.
Blood Donors; False Positive Reactions; Female; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis B Vaccines; Humans; Male; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Sensitivity and Specificity; Serologic Tests; Time Factors
Cite
B C Dow; P Yates; G Galea; H Munro; I Buchanan; K Ferguson. Hepatitis B vaccinees may be mistaken for confirmed hepatitis B surface antigen-positive blood donors. Vox sanguinis (2002). PMID 11856462. DOI 10.1046/j.0042-9007.2001.00125.x.