Follow up of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C positive blood donors A study

Dr.  Rima Kamat; Dr Jyothi.B.Shetty; Dr Priya Chikhalikar

Volume : VI, Issue : II, February - 2017

Follow up of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C positive blood donors A study

Dr. Rima Kamat, Dr Jyothi. B. Shetty, Dr Priya Chikhalikar

Abstract :

Background:Hepatitis B virus is one of the most important causes for chronic viral hepatitis. Chronic infection with Hepatitis C virus can manifest from being an asymptomatic carrier to chronic liver disease which may lead to chonic hepatitis,liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study was carried out with the aim of increasing awareness of hepatitis in blood donors ,increasing rate of early detection,proper counselling and follow up of the donors who tested positive either for HBV or HCV in pretransfusion screening.

Materials and Methods:This study was carried out in a FDA approved blood bank of a tertiary care hospital over a period of three years(August 2009–August 2012).All healthy asymptomatic blood donors from indoor and outdoor blood collections who on routine pretransfusion screening tested positive for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses were included in the study.These donors were informed about their serological status and referred to a NGO which works for the benefit of Hepatitis B and C positive blood donors.This NGO confirmed the diagnosis,counselled them to follow up of donors with their spouses and family members.

Results: Overall seroprevalence of Hepatitis B was more in replacement donors compared to voluntary donors. Total 76 HBsAg positive donors followed with the NGO ,of these 8 were HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B.Of the remaining 68 HBeAg negative donors,3 had HBV DNA levels >1,00,000/ml and elevated alanine aminotransferase levels.These were HBeAg negative chronic Hepatitis B patients.One HBeAg positive donor underwent treatment with interferon alpha.10 out of 36 HCV positive donors followed up with the NGO,of which 4 tested positive for HCV RNA genotype ,3 for genotype 3 and one for genotype 1.

Conclusion: Healthcare professionals,NGO�s and Government agencies should strive to increase the awareness of transmissible diseases and increase the rate of early detection and regular follow–ups for the benefit of the community.