Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA by real time polymerase chain reaction in seronegative blood donors
The need of hour is to identify blood donors who should be refused but in the current situation are allowed to donate blood. The burden of these unsafe donors will shed light in the deficiencies of current screening practices and hence promote the health of community by adding a layer of safety in blood transfusion. Taking into consideration, a descriptive study was planned to detect hepatitis B virus DNA by Real time PCR in seronegative blood donors. This descriptive study was carried out at the Department of Pathology and Research Department Laboratory, Postgraduate Medical Institute/Lahore General Hospital over a period of twelve months after approval of the synopsis. This study was undertaken to detect hepatitis B virus DNA by real time PCR in seronegative (HBsAg –ve) blood donors. 114 blood donors were selected from Lahore General Hospital blood bank and their samples were screened for HBsAg by ELISA. All serum samples were subjected to detect HBV DNA by real time PCR, only two were found positive. The mean age of the participants was 27.7 ± 6.5 years with the range of 17 to 50 years. The mean hemoglobin level was 14.2 ± 0.9 g/dl with range of 12.3 to 16.7 g/dl. Out of 114 participants, 19 (16.7%) were illiterate, 13 (11.4%) were under matriculation, 18 (15.8%) had matriculation, 19 (16.7%) had intermediate, 29 (25.4%) were undergraduate, 11 (9.6%) had master or post graduate degree and only 5 (4.4%) had medical degree. Out of 114 participants, 21 (18.4%) had A+ve blood group, 2 (1.8%) had A-ve blood group, 44 (38.6%) had B+ve blood group, 2 (1.8%) had B-ve blood group, 3 (2.6%) had AB+ve blood group, 37 (32.5%) had O+ve blood group and only 5 (4.4%) had O-ve blood group. Out of 114 participants, 98 (86.0%) were replacement donors and 16 (14.0%) were voluntary blood donors. Hepatitis B virus infection has been a significant concern in blood transfusion. The major limitation of serological testing in blood transfusion is that these tests are unable to detect window period of infections and occult hepatitis B infections. Current study is the detection of HBV DNA by Real time PCR in seronegative blood donors. Study concluded that molecular technique i.e. real time PCR was more reliable than ELISA technique in detecting the hidden infections. Further studies are needed on vast level to prevent population from ill effects of hepatitis B virus.
