Molecular Detection of Hepatitis B Virus Among Blood Donors from National Blood Transfusion Service Centre in Kaduna, Nigeria.

Abstract

The survey was carried out to determine the molecular detection of Hepatitis B virus markers among blood donors between the age of 18-65 years from National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) centre in Kaduna, Nigeria. Blood samples were screened for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) using Diagnostic kit for HBV infection marker in whole blood. Hepatitis B serological markers were determined using polymerase chain reaction and confirmed. The socio-demographic factors associated with HBV infection were determined using structured questionnaires. The total prevalence rates of the five (5) HBV markers were: HBsAg 12(7.3%), HBsAb 5(3.0%), HBeAb 12(7.3%), HBcAb 18(10.9%), and all blood samples were negative for HBeAg. HBVDNA was detected in 3 out of 10 samples. Two out of the three samples were positive for HBsAg, HBeAb and HBcAb whereas one sample was positive for HBsAg, HBsAb and HBcAb. The high prevalence of HBcAb (10.9%) among HBsAg+ (7.3%) and (3.6%) among HBsAg- in this survey indicates that the virus is actively replicating in chronic HBV carriers and consistently increasing the spread within the population in the areas that are targeted.