Research on hepatitis E virus antigen screening among voluntary blood donors
10.13303/j.cjbt.issn.1004-549x.2025.08.013
- VernacularTitle:献血者戊型肝炎病毒抗原筛查可行性探究
- Author:
Li ZHANG
1
;
Xuelian DENG
1
;
Lei ZHOU
1
;
Dan LIU
1
;
Liang ZANG
1
Author Information
1. Dalian Blood Center, Dalian 116001, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
hepatitis E virus;
blood donors;
antigen;
blood screening
- From:
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion
2025;38(8):1083-1088
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among voluntary blood donors in Dalian and provide evidence for enhancing blood screening strategies. Methods: A total of 3 277 blood donor samples collected between December 2023 and February 2024 at Dalian Blood Center underwent routine blood screening (ALT, HBsAg, anti-HCV, HIV Ag/Ab, anti-TP, and HBV/HCV/HIV NAT). Subsequently, HEV antigen (Ag) was detected using chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). HEV-Ag reactive samples were further tested for HEV RNA, IgM and IgG antibodies. Blood donors with repeated reactive HEV Ag results were followed up to clarify the status of infection. Results: Among the 3 277 blood donor samples, 6 (0.18%) were repeatedly reactive for HEV Ag. However, supplemental testing for HEV RNA, anti-HEV IgM, and anti-HEV IgG on these samples yielded non-reactive results. One of these six blood donors was successfully followed up. On day 218 after the initial detection of HEV Ag reactivity, HEV Ag, HEV RNA, HEV IgM and IgG antibody were found to be non-reactive. Conclusion: The reaction rate for HEV antigen screening among voluntary blood donors in Dalian is low. CLIA method for detecting HEV antigen is easy to operate and cost-effective, but demonstrates some false reactivity. Improving the specificity of the assay and combining it with nucleic acid testing (NAT) would be valuable for implementing a selective HEV screening strategy for blood donors.
