Risk of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B from blood donations by spouses of asymptomatic hepatitis B virus infected individuals
10.13303/j.cjbt.issn.1004-549x.2026.01.009
- VernacularTitle:无症状乙型肝炎病毒感染者配偶献血潜在输血风险评估
- Author:
Xianlin YE
1
;
Xiaoxuan XU
1
;
Yingnan DANG
2
;
Ran LI
1
;
Jingfeng ZENG
1
Author Information
1. Shenzhen Blood Center, Shenzhen 518028, China
2. Qinghai Blood Center, Xining 810000, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
blood donors;
hepatitis B virus asymptomatic infection;
spouse;
occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI);
blood safety
- From:
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion
2026;39(1):62-68
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the incidence of occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) in spouses of asymptomatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected individuals in Shenzhen, China, and to analyze their serological and molecular characteristics and possible transmission routes, so as to propose refined strategies for blood safety. Methods: After rapid screening for HBsAg at the blood collection sites, samples from HBsAg-positive blood donors and their concurrently donating spouses were collected. All samples were tested for hepatitis B serological markers by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLI). Simultaneously, HBV nucleic acid extractiona, nested PCR amplification, gene sequencing of S and BCP/PC regions and qPCR were conducted. Results: A total of 112 samples were collected, including 56 from HBsAg positive donors and 56 from their spouses. All donors were confirmed as HBsAg+/DNA+/anti-HBc+, indicative of asymptomatic chronic hepatitis (CHB) infection. Among their 56 spouses, 11 (19.6%) were identified as HBV DNA+. The prevalence was higher in males (23.1%) than in females (16.7%). Six spouses (10.8%) had OBI, three of whom (5.4%) were negative in routine blood screening tests. The residual risk of HBV were estimated as 1∶127 (95%CI, 1∶356 to 1∶66). Among infected couples, immune escape mutation (E164D) and glycosylation mutations (I126T and T131N/M133T) were identified. Furthermore, sequence analysis suggested partner-to-partner transmission in eight cases. Conclusion: A substantial proportion (19.6%) of spouses of asymptomatic HBV infected donors were HBV-positve, with an OBI prevalence of 10.9%. Among these, 5.4% were negative in routine tests. To ensure blood safety, we recommend that spouses of HBV infected individuals be deferred from blood donation.
