The rate of HBsAg carriers among blood donors at at Thua Thien Hue province during 5 years (1997 - 2001) is relative high, with 13.57% on average. At the same time, the incidence of HCV infection is lower than other areas (with mean 0.64%). The rate of HBsAg carrier is higher in rural than in Hue city (14.72% vs. 12.27%). The young adults in precincts have higher HBsAg incidence than in other groups.
Blood Donors ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis C Antibodies

A newly developed third generation enzyme immunoassay(Lucky HCD 3.0 EIA) for hepatitis C virus(HCV) antibodies was added with the envelope(E1E2)/NS4 fusion proteins and expanded NS5 proteins as well as the core/NS3 fusion proteins. Authors evaluated the HCD 3.0 EIA with the previously available second generation EIA(HCD 2.0) in 10,435 Red Cross blood donors. Among 10,435 donors who were screened for the presence of HCV antibodies by HCD 2.0 assay, 22(0.21%) sera were repeatedly reactive. All of these sera were tested for further testing. Only 13 of all tested sera were reactive by HCD 3.0 EIA, and nine sera were not reactive. Nine of 13 HCD 3.0 positive sera were reactive by recombinant immunoblot assay(Lucky-Confirm). Also seven of these 13 sera had detectable HCV genomic RNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). None of nine HCD 3.0 negative samples had detectable immunoblot assay and HCV genomic RNA. It is concluded that the new HCV EIA can decrease a significant false positivity of second generation EIA in a blood donor population. This new assay correlates well with detection of HCV-RNA by RT-PCR and identifies donors who are truly infected.
Antibodies ; Blood Donors* ; Hepatitis C ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; Humans ; Immunoblotting* ; Red Cross ; RNA ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV) through transfusion has been rare; however, recently there has been a case reported in Korea along with a recent increase in the number of HAV infections. In order to provide baseline information regarding sero-positivity of HAV in healthcare workers (HCWs), we tested for the presence of anti-HAV IgG antibodies in hospital employees who were under 40 years old. Data of HCWs as blood donors was analyzed to help management of blood donors. METHODS: Between July and August 2009, we measured anti-HAV IgG antibodies in HCWs who were in their twenties to thirties, using Architect i2000 (Abbott, Chicago, USA). Sero-positivity was obtained according to age and gender. RESULTS: A total of 1824 HCWs participated in this study, and sero-positivity was significantly different by age; 1.8% (5/275) in the 20~24 year old range, 6.7% (44/661) in the 25~29 year old range, 29.7% (159/536) in the 30~34 year old range, and 57.1% (201/352) in the 35~39 year old range. However, there was no significant difference according to gender. CONCLUSION: Sero-positivity of the anti-HAV IgG antibody was low in HCWs under 30 years old. Therefore, vaccination against HAV in this population should be fortified with respect to blood donor management. Moreover, an improved system of recording history with respect to early symptoms of HAV infection as well as vaccination history may be helpful in preventing the transmission of HAV through transfusion.
Antibodies ; Blood Donors ; Chicago ; Delivery of Health Care ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; Hepatitis A virus ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Korea ; Vaccination

No abstract available.
Hepatitis A/prevention & control ; Hepatitis A Antibodies/*blood ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human/*immunology ; Humans ; Korea ; Seroepidemiologic Studies

No abstract available.
Hepatitis A/prevention & control ; Hepatitis A Antibodies/*blood ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human/*immunology ; Humans ; Korea ; Seroepidemiologic Studies

OBJECTIVEEstablish a confirmatory test based on ELISA, and use to verify the authenticity of HBsAg weak positive samples, pick and get rid of the false result, and avoid the mistake diagnosis.

METHODThe particles (reagent A) coated by streptavidin and biotinylated HBsAb (reagent B) were mixed in different proportions, then neutralized with serum whose the COI of HBsAg > 20 by ELISA in order to identify the activity of HBsAb in confirmatory reagent. 30 pieces of HBsAg weak positive serum neutralized with the confirmatory reagent, the serum were considered to be positive if rate of decline of HBsAg COI > 50%. The results were compared to Roche confirmatory Kit.

RESULTConfirmatory reagent was able to neutralized with HBsAg. 24 of 30 pieces of HBsAg weak positive samples were judged to be positive, while 6 poeces were negative. The ELISA comfirm method is fully consistent with Roche confirmatory Kit.

CONCLUSIONThe ELISA confirmatory test for suspicious HBsAg positive samples is a simple, accurate and low cost initial validation method, After further clinical trials, should be widely applied.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; diagnosis ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Humans

No abstract available.
Hepatitis C/*diagnosis ; Hepatitis C Antibodies/*blood ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; RNA, Viral/*blood ; Viremia/*diagnosis

OBJECTIVEEstablish a kind of confirmation method based on ELISA, and use to verify authenticity of HBsAb + in HBsAg + HBsAb + serum, pick and get rid of the false masculine gender the result, and avoid the mistake diagnosis.

METHODCollect 60 pieces of serum whose thick degree of HBsAg at 1000 COI above tested by ECLIA as confirm serum, mixed the confirm serum of different dilution with HBsAb positive serum to screen and verify best thick degree of HBsAg. Collected 40 pieces of HBsAg + HBsAb + serum, ELISA tested the descend rate of HBsAb COI after neutralized with confirm serum in order to confirm authenticity of HBsAb + in pieces of HBsAg + HBsAb + serum.

RESULTWhen thick degree of HBsAg is 2000 COI, the performance of neutralization to HBsAb is best. The ELISA confirmatory test is fully consistent with the ECLIA method with true positive of 37 pieces of HBsAg + HBsAb + serum while false-positive of 3 pieces of serum.

CONCLUSIONThe ELISA confirm method is a simple, accurate and low cost initial validation method.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; immunology ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo detect humoral immune response against different function regions of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in chronic patients, and further to investigate the correlativity between anti-HCV antibody titers and HCV RNA concentration.

METHODSUsing recombinant dominate epitope antigens, e.g. HCV Core, NS3, NS4, NS5 and chimeric HVR1, a set of ELISA test reagents was formulated. Then, titers of antibodies against HCV different regions and the RNA concentration of HCV in chronic patient sera were detected by ELISA and quantitative RT-PCR technique, respectively.

RESULTSGreat differences have been noted in antibody titers and positive rate of different HCV function regions in chronic patients. Antibodies against HCV Core and HVR1 have the highest positive rate, then NS3, NS4, and NS5 in sequence.

CONCLUSIONThe titer of antibodies against different regions of HCV in chronic patients has good correlation with HCV RNA concentration.

Hepatitis C Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; RNA, Viral ; blood

OBJECTIVETo develop an AlphaLISA method for detection of antibody of Hepatitis A virus.

METHODSAfter hepatitis A virus antigen was concentrated and biotinylated, optimal biotinylated HAV antigen, donor bead, acceptor bead concentration have been explored and determined by both dot-blotting and AlphaLISA methods. 97 samples including 23 serums from patients HAV infected and 70 serums from blood donors have been detected by new AlphaLISA method.

RESULTSThe sensitivity and specificity for anti-HAV IgM were 78% and 98.5%, the positive and negative predictive value were 95% and 93%.

CONCLUSIONA homogeneous and fast AlphaLISA assay for detection of HAV IgM has been established by preliminary verification on samples.

Biotinylation ; Hepatitis A ; diagnosis ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; blood ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Sensitivity and Specificity