Molecular detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among voluntary ELISA positive blood donors in Almadinah Almunawwarah

ObjectiveHepatitis B virus is considered as one of the most common viruses spreading through blood transfusion and organ transplants. This usually results in more considerable cases of disease and mortalities; so it is necessary to perform tests for viral infection in all blood donors.The present study aimed at highlighting the serological picture of blood donors and HBV suspected patients reported to the hospitals in Al-Madina Al-Mounawara; using standard PCR technique.MethodsThe present study is conducted on 17,131 samples (blood donors and suspected patients reported to the Central Blood Bank the achievement of conformation tests in Al-Madina Al-Mounawara Saudi Arabia). Virus was detected by two techniques: PCR and ELISA. COBAS TagMan V2.0 was used as PCR test to measure HBV-DNA in human plasma or serum. Three different ELISA tests had been used to detect HBV antigen and antibody: HBsAg, HBcAb and HBsAb.ResultsThe overall prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was (9.02%), hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) was (9.02%), hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) was approximately (7.93%) and hepatitis B DNA (HBVDNA) was the highest one (9.29%).ConclusionComparison of PCR positive results with those of the ELISA positive indicates that the PCR technique is more sensitive and reliable than the ELISA technique, as not all ELISA positive cases confirmed HBV infection.