Hepatitis B due to transfusion of mislabeled blood

Transfusion of a misidentified and mislabeled unit of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive blood was recognized 18 hours after the transfusion episode. Within 24 hours of transfusion the recipient became HBsAg-positive, and antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was detected. Despite hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) administration of 28 hours after transfusion, the serologic markers persisted for at least one month. Clinically apparent hepatitis developed about two months after transfusion. At this time HBsAg could not be detected, but antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) was present and anti-HBc persisted. The recipient recovered and became a plasmapheresis donor for several hepatitis B research programs.