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Hepatitis E in Canadian blood donors
Margaret A Fearon1,2, Sheila F O'Brien3,4, Gilles Delage5
1Canadian Blood Services, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Transfusion
|April 11, 2017
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a growing concern in transfusion medicine. This study found low HEV prevalence in Canadian blood donors, indicating a minimal risk of infectious donations to recipients.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is increasingly recognized as a significant pathogen in transfusion medicine.
- Endemic HEV prevalence is higher than previously thought, posing risks to vulnerable transfusion recipients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Canadian blood donors.
- To assess the risk of HEV transmission through blood transfusions.
Main Methods:
- A large-scale study involving 13,993 Canadian blood donors.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for all donors and antibody testing on a subset.
- Telephone interviews to identify risk factors for HEV seropositivity.
Main Results:
- No PCR-positive samples were detected, indicating no detectable infectious HEV donations.
- The seroprevalence of HEV antibodies was 5.9% in the tested population.
- HEV seropositivity was associated with male sex, older age, living abroad, and contact with farm animals.
Conclusions:
- This study represents the largest dataset on HEV infection in Canada to date.
- Results suggest a low lifetime exposure to HEV among Canadian blood donors.
- The risk of infectious HEV donations is considered rare.