Investigation of transfusion associated hepatitis C virus infection in Taiwan, 2015-2018

Continuous strengthening of the safety of blood products to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted HCV in recipients is an important issue of Taiwanese government concern. Since 2013, highly sensitivity serology and NAT assays were simultaneously used for blood donation screening to shorten the window period of HIV, HBV and HCV infections. 15 cases of suspected transfusion-transmitted HCV infection were analyzed in 2015-2018. No HCV nucleic acid was detected among a total 91 bags of donated blood. Eleven cases among the 15 suspected recipients were positive for HCV nucleic acid, and 9 recipients had genotype results. Of these 9 recipients, five for genotype 1b (5/9, 55.6%), three for genotype 2a (3/9, 33.3%) and one for genotype 2b (1/9, 11.1%). We will continuously monitor the blood safety of recipients. There have been no confirmed cases of acute hepatitis C (AHC) infection due to transfusions of HCV contaminated blood product in 2015-2018 in Taiwan.