[Immunoradiometric analysis and the prevention of posttransfusion hepatitis B]

Planned blood donors of the town of Zaporozhye were examined for the presence of HBsAg using national radioimmune kits "IRMA-HBsAg". On the basis of the results of this analysis, a bank of blood and its preparations containing no HBsAg was created and used for blood transfusions in children under 14. The incidence of posttransfusion hepatitis B among the children in 1985 was reduced 2.2-fold. In adults exposed to transfusions of the blood tested by counter-current immuno-electrophoresis alone the incidence of posttransfusion hepatitis B increased 1.7-fold as compared with the average figures for 1982-1984. It is concluded that the incidence of posttransfusion hepatitis B may be reduced by using the blood tested with national radioimmune kits "IRMA-HBsAg".