Screening of HBsAg and post-transfusional hepatitis type B

The Authors consider the different opinions expressed about the HBsAg screening in blood donors and its usefulness in preventing post transfusional hepatitis B (PTHB). They report data on the incidence of such a disease, as observed in their transfusional experience during the last 5 years, with a comparison between results obtained after CEP and RIA screening systems. The Authors point out the results of their retrospective investigation: the transfusion blood with a low HBsAg titre showed to be more infectious than the blood with high titre. Consequently, it is necessary to use more sensitive methods for HBsAg screening and possibly to increase their sensitivity or to combine them with other methods fit to evidence further markers of virus B.