Objectives:

To compare Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological test results with the nucleic acid amplification tests in the blood donor patients screening. 

Methods:

During December 2005- January 2008 in Yeditepe University Hospital Microbiology Laboratory, HBV DNA in 136 patients and HCV RNA in 83 patients were tested by real-time PCR and the serums were also tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV respectively by MEIA . 

Results :

Although in HBs Ag positive patients (n=64) HBV DNA was mostly positive, 34% negative patients were also detected(n=22). In 31% of anti-HCV positive patients HCV RNA was positive. In 16% of anti-HCV negative patients (n=61) HCV RNA was positive (n=10). In 72 HbsAg negative patients 6 HBV DNA positivity; in 61 anti-HCV negative patients 10 HCV RNA positivitiy was detected.

Conclusion :

In routine blood donor HBV and HCV screening, HBV DNA and HCV RNA is recommended to be tested. These tests would be cost effective, not an additional burden.

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